Where Georgia Birding Begins

River Creek, The Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area

River Creek, The Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area is a 2,437-acre property located between the Ochlocknee River and Barnetts Creek in Thomas County, near Thomasville. This WMA offers unique hunting opportunities and supports populations of rare species such as Bachman's Sparrow, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Gopher Tortoise, and other priority species.

Admission Fee
Trails
Boardwalk
Camping
A small, black-and-white woodpecker clings to a longleaf pine tree with banded legs
Red-cockaded Woodpecker at River Creek, the Rolf, and Alexandra Kauka WMA © Photo Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Handicapped Access: Yes: Parking. Trails are mostly flat but not paved.

About This Site

Hours

Open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Visitor Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm.

Location

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
871 US-84 BUS, Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 430-4254

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River Creek, The Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area

Amenities

Amenity Available
Admission Fee ✓
Lodging ✕
Visitor or Nature Center ✕
Restrooms ✕
Drinking Fountain or Potable Water ✕
Trails ✓
Boardwalk ✓
Camping ✓
RV Hookups ✕
Picnic Area ✕
Kayaking or Canoeing ✕

Read more about Returning the Red-cockaded Woodpecker to River Creek.

Featured Birds

Bachman's Sparrow Bachman's Sparrow
Brown Thrasher Brown Thrasher
Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch
Northern Bobwhite Northern Bobwhite
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker
Swallow-tailed Kite Swallow-tailed Kite
Wood Duck Wood Duck

Georgia Wildlife Management and Public Fishing Areas

You may access state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) or Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) with any of the licenses listed below and on Georgia DNR's website. Be aware and respectful of hunting seasons and closures that may affect access and wildlife viewing. Details, season dates, and more information are available on their website.

Hunting License

$15

Annual (Resident)

Fishing License

$15

Annual (Resident)

Hunting & Fishing License

$5

Daily (Resident)

Lands Pass

$30

Annual (Resident)

Lands Pass

$60

Annual (Nonresident)

Photo Gallery

Meadow beauty blooming in a longleaf pine stand at River Creek WMA (GaDNR)
Meadowbeauty in bloom at River Creek, the Rolf, and Alexander Kauka Wildlife Management Area © Photo Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources
RCW nest tree at River Creek and healthy understory at River Creek WMA (GaDNR)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity trees are marked with white paint at River Creek, the Rolf, and Alexander Kauka Wildlife Management Area © Photo Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Red cockaded woodpecker at a River Creek WMA nest (GaDNR)
Red-cockaded Woodpecker at River Creek, the Rolf, and Alexander Kauka Wildlife Management Area © Photo Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources

This Birding Site Sponsored By

Dover Corporation

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer that delivers innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions and support services.

Georgia Birding Trail

From Appalachian mountain forests to coastal salt marshes, Georgia offers extraordinary places to watch birds, encounter wildlife, hike nature trails, and experience some of the Southeast’s most beautiful landscapes. The Georgia Birding Trail connects destinations across six distinct ecoregions, including mountain ridges, Piedmont forests, longleaf pine country, wetlands, rivers, swamps, and the Atlantic coast.

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