GENERAL COFFEE STATE PARK
One of southern Georgia?s ?best kept secrets,? this park is known for interpretation of agricultural history at its Heritage Farm, with log cabins, a corn crib, tobacco barn, cane mill, barnyard animals and other exhibits. Seventeen-Mile River winds through a cypress swamp where the park hosts rare and endangered plants. The threatened indigo snake and gopher tortoise make their homes in this wiregrass community. Overnight accommodations include camping, cottages, and the Burnham House, an elegantly decorated 19th century cabin perfect for romantic getaways. The park was donated to the state by a group of Coffee County citizens in 1970 and is named after General John Coffee, a planter, U.S. Congressman and military leader.
Visitors can enjoy fishing in the 22-acre lake, home to species like catfish and bream. The park also offers boat rentals for a day on the water. For those interested in fly-fishing, there are opportunities along Seventeen Mile River where you might catch bass or panfish. Fishing gear is available for rent at the park office if needed.
General Coffee State Park is located near Douglas
General Coffee State Park offers picnic tables and shelters, perfect for family gatherings. Grills are also available for barbecuing.
HERITAGE FARM INTERPRETIVE WALK
This ?-mile walk loops around the farm pond located at the park?s award-winning Heritage Farm. The best place to begin and end your walk is at the parking lot at the Heritage Farm. Located along the walk are interpretive stations were you can read information about the habitats, plants and animals that can be found at General Coffee State Park. This walk is also a great walk for birding enthusiasts as many species of water birds and songbirds can be spotted near the pond year-round.
EAST RIVER TRAIL
The East River Trail begins on the west side of the Seventeen Mile River near picnic shelters #5 and #6. The trail starts with a ?-mile-long boardwalk that crosses the river to the east side of the park. As you walk along the boardwalk keep an eye open for wading birds and river otters during the wet season and for deer and raccoon during the dry season.
WEST RIVER TRAIL
Beginning near picnic shelter #4, the West River Trail is the oldest trail on the park. This trail travels along the western edge of the Seventeen Mile River from the picnic area to campground #2. Along the route the trail crosses several drainage areas where wet-weather creeks feed the river. The trail bed is relatively compacted and easy to walk, but the trail can be narrow in places with exposed tree roots. As you travel along this trail you will experience two different habitats. The river will be on one side and along the other side is mostly upland pine forest. This occurs because this trail is situated in what is known as the ecotone, or boundary zone between these two distinct habitats.
GOPHER LOOP TRAILGopher Loop is a 1.4-mile loop trail that takes you into the sandhill management area of the park. You may access this trail at two points, the trailhead located near the main park road (there is a small parking area here) or from the West River Trail as it joins into Gopher Loop behind campground #2. This is the driest area in the park and during the summer it can be very hot, so be sure to take water and a hat. It is along this trail that you have the best chance of seeing the protected Gopher Tortoise and the threatened Indigo Snake.
The park offers a variety of birding options, including the Birdhouse Trail and various guided tours. It's home to numerous species such as woodpeckers, owls, hawks and songbirds. The Heritage Farm area is particularly popular for spotting birds.
Located 6 miles east of Douglas on Ga. Hwy. 32.
one of the best places out of the way very friendly I have went up the past 5 years in the cabins and in the campsite very well kept up and just really nice and relaxing.
The cottages are wonderfully furnished. The park is a natural haven for all kinds of animals. Beautiful. Lots of nice restaurants locally.
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