Sweetwater Creek State Park

The extraordinary beauty of the rugged hills, rocky outcrops, and rolling rapids of Sweetwater Creek have shaped centuries of history engaging you to reconnect with the natural world.

Sweetwater Creek and fall foliage — Creek at Sweetwater Creek State Park © Photo Courtesy of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Handicapped Access: Yes: Parking, Visitor Center, Lodging, Campground, Restroom, Picnic Shelter, Group Shelter, Dock, Playground. An All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair is available for use.

Important Information: To protect the historic mill ruins and maintain safety, access to the interior is closed to all visitors except those on guided hikes (public and private), school field trips and for special events. Hikes to the exterior of the mill ruins are still available on your own and encouraged.

About This Site

Hours

Open year-round from 7am to sunset.

Location

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites
1750 Mount Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122

(770) 732-5871

eBIRD

View this site on eBird

Sweetwater Creek State Park

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	✓

Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.

More than 190 species of birds have been recorded at Sweetwater Creek State Park, including numerous types of waterbirds such as: Horned Grebe, Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted and Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Double-crested Cormorant, American Coot, Mallard, and Common Loon. Also seen at this park are Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Hooded Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Eastern Kingbird.

Featured Birds

Bald Eagle

Blue-winged Teal

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Brown Thrasher

Dark-eyed Junco

Hooded Merganser

Red-headed Woodpecker

Wood Duck

The 215 acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular for and during warmer months, the park rents fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats.

Visitors can join the Park Paddlers Club, which challenges them to explore waterways in six state parks. An award-winning Visitor Center—one of the most environmentally responsible buildings in the country—features exhibits on the area’s history, wildlife displays, trail maps, snacks and a renovated gift shop.

Photo Gallery

Alli Ruus Sweetwater Creek Double crested Cormorant — Double-crested Cormorant at Sweetwater State Park © Alli Ruus

Alli Ruus Sweetwater Creek Mill Ruins — Mill ruins at Steps to the creek at Sweetwater State Park © Alli Ruus

Alli Ruus Sweetwater Creek Overlook — Overlook at Sweetwater State Park © Alli Ruus

Alli Ruus Sweetwater Creek Red Trail — Red Trail at Sweetwater State Park © Alli Ruus

Alli Ruus Sweetwater Creek Steps — Steps to the creek at Sweetwater State Park © Alli Ruus

Sweetwater Creek State Park Photo Courtesy of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites — Sweetwater Creek State Park © Photo Courtesy of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

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.