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Watson Mill State Park
Nearby Parks:
Nancy Hart State Park
Richard B Russell State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Watson Mill State Park
650 Watson Mill Road
Comer, Georgia 30629
Phone: 706-783-5349
Reservations: 800-864-7275
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Area Places to Eat
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| Known as one of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, Watson Mill Bridge contains the longest covered bridge in the state, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River. Built in 1885 by Washington (W.W.) King, son of freed slave and famous covered-bridge builder, Horace King, the bridge is supported by a town lattice truss system held firmly together with wooden pins. At one time, Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges; today, less than 20 remain.
The park is an ideal spot for an afternoon picnic or an overnight stay at the campground. Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails allow visitors to enjoy the thick forest along the river or travel into the park?s backcountry. During summer, visitors often play in the cool river shoals just below the bridge. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Great Surprise!
We came to the park from Athens looking for the covered bridge. We were so pleasantly surprised by the beautiful park and the access to good family fun. We will become regulars.
(name not given)
9-Jun-2009
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Historical Gem
Just spent the weekend camping here. Very beautiful park, rich in history. Nice family fun. Clean and quiet campground.
(name not given)
20-Jul-2009
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A BEAUTIFUL PEACEFUL PLACE
WENT HORSEBACK RIDING N 2007.TRAILS WAS VERY EASY 4 A BEGINNER RIDER.VIEW WAS BEAUTIFUL.LOVED THE BRIDGE N THE WATER UNDER BRIDGE WAS NICE.WHOLE FAMILY LOVED THE PARK.WOULD RETURN AS SOON AS I COULD!
Written by SUE
3-Oct-2009
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| Trails: |
| NATURE TRAIL
The 2 miles of nature trails run along the south side of the South Fork River and Big Clouds Creek. Portions of the trails wander through the historical portions of the park along the old powerhouse sluiceway, also know as a raceway. This man-made waterway channel is about 300 yards long and runs from the old dam just below the covered bridge to a second dam just above the foundation of the old powerhouse. The powerhouse generated electricity for a textile mill 10 miles away in Crawford, GA, for nearly half a century, beginning in 1905. The overlook at the head of this trail affords a view of the covered bridge and shoals below. At this site, the original Watson?s Mill, gone by the end of the 1800s, once sat. The rest of the trails beyond the old powerhouse ruin meander through the woods along the banks of the river and creek and pass by the camping areas.
BIKING & HIKING TRAIL
This six feet wide 2.5-mile loop trail runs along the north side of the South Fork River and is one of the most popular trails for hiking, mountain biking, and jogging. The trail meanders through hardwood and mixed forests and provides one of the best views of the lower shoals of the river. About half way around the loop is an overlook at the edge of what was once a natural beaver pond. Over the years, natural succession has taken place and the former pond area has now become a meadow. It most likely will eventually become part of the forest. Will it ever be a pond again? Only time, Mother Nature and the beavers will tell.
For the mountain biker, this trail is not overly technical as it is designed for beginners and intermediates. There are a few fairly steep grades. The entire trail is under shaded canopy. Whether you hike or bike, you will see a lot of biodiversity in the various types of environments the trail covers.
BEAVER CREEK TRAIL
This six feet wide 1.5-mile loop trail runs up Beaver Creek and over a high ridge back through the hardwood forests on its return. The creek was once the site of several beaver ponds. The beavers left this creek area in the mid 1990s after a period of heavy downpours washed away the beaver dams. They now are most often seen in the river. As time goes on, the beavers may return. But even so, this area is an important wetland habitat. Birding opportunities abound on all trails, but especially on the trails on the north side of the river. This trail is for hiking, biking, and jogging. At the head of where the beaver ponds once began, there is a short rocky section and the entire trail is under shaded canopy.
RIDGE LOOP TRAIL
This six feet wide .75 mile trail begins in sight of the covered bridge where Beaver Creek dumps into the South Fork River. If you look carefully, to the right of the trail as it begins to climb up the ridge, old wheel ruts from ?buggy days? can be seen when a horse and wagon was the mode of transportation. Ferns can now be seen growing in the old ruts. While heavily wooded with big trees providing a shaded canopy, the top of the ridge was once planted in cotton in the late 1800s. Much of the park was once in agricultural use whether planted in cotton or fenced for livestock. While this loop is just under a mile, it is also part of the overall trail system that accommodates hikers, mountain bikers, and joggers.
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| Area Activities |
| Theater | |  | Pumpkintown Mountain Opry - Pickens, SC
Built in 1986, the four story Pumpkintown Mountain Opry building is a monument to old-world craftsmanship and home of the restaurant and shops. We invite you to enjoy the theater arts of the Pumpkintown Mountain Opry or come relax on the porch and enjoy some ice cream or our great coffee.
Web Site: http://www.pumpkintownmountain.com/ |
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| Area Places to Eat |
| Casual Family Dining | | | Pumpkintown Mountain Opry - Pickens, SC
Built in 1986, the four story Pumpkintown Mountain Opry building is a monument to old-world craftsmanship and home of the restaurant and shops. We invite you to enjoy the theater arts of the Pumpkintown Mountain Opry or come relax on the porch and enjoy some ice cream or our great coffee.
Web Site: http://www.pumpkintownmountain.com/ |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Watson Mill State Park - Georgia's longest remaining covered bridge, located in Comer. Park includes camping, hiking ... covered bridge, river, and nearby recreation, Watson Mill State Park has a small camping area with ... | | Georgia's Covered Bridges - Georgia covered bridges and outdoor recreation guide. ... south to Smithsonia and east on Chandler Silver Road. In Watson Mill State Park in the Classic South Travel Region in Oglethorpe County. Call ... | | fwatson - Watson Mill State Park Watson Mill State Park is about a twenty minute drive outside of Athens, but its gentle flowing rapids and old world aesthetic definitely make it worth the trip. The Bridge ... | | UGA GEOL 1121 - Railsback - ... Field Trip 1: A tour of labs in the UGA Geology Department Field Trip 2: A trip to Watson Mill State Park Field Trip 3: A trip to the UGA Botanical Gardens e-mail to Railsback (rlsbk@gly.uga.edu ... | | Oglethorpe County, Georgia - National Register of Historic Places - Historic properties in oglethorpeCounty. ... Mill Covered Bridge and Mill Historic District Along S. Fork Broad R., Watson Mill State Park Comer Added on: 09/05/1991 Amis-Elder House W of Crawford on ... |
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| Area Activities |
| Realtor | |  | Exit Landmark Realty - Hartwell, GA
Need local real estate information? The staff at Exit Landmark Realty is absolutely committed to fulfilling the needs of our clients with the highest level of professionalism, expertise and service. Our commitment to your satisfaction is the foundation from which a solid business relationship is built.
Web Site: http://www.exitlandmarkrealty.com |
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