Best Parks in Lake Oconee Area
Are you looking for some of the best parks in the Lake Oconee area? There are several to choose from. Whether you are looking for a quiet walking trail, an endurance hike, or a forest biking trail, there is something here for everyone. Consider these:
Briarpatch Park Trail Park
Located just outside of historic downtown Eatonton is Briarpatch Trail Park. This small park showcases a variety of perennials and annuals, notable plants, and fascinating insects (particularly butterflies, skippers, and other pollinators.) Volunteers created this special habitat to help encourage and support native butterfly reproduction. The park’s highlight is a short, quarter-mile walking trail that winds around its gardens and water features, making for a peaceful stroll. The park also offers picnic tables and benches and is pet friendly for leashed pets. There are no swings or jungle gyms, but children are encouraged to run, jump, climb, and play. Briarpatch is a unique, not-to-miss park that embodies the beauty of nature. Learn more and visit the park at 617 N Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, GA.
Old Salem Park
Patrons of Old Salem Park enjoy plenty of peace, tranquility, and beautiful scenery. It’s the perfect place to enjoy fun outdoor activities like fishing, biking, and hiking on scenic trails. Pack a lunch, as there are day-use picnic areas and a playground. And since the park is located on Lake Oconee, there’s also a nice swimming beach and a convenient boat ramp. The boat ramp is open year-round. In addition, there are both primitive and full-service sites for those who enjoy camping. Learn more and visit the park at 1530 Old Salem Rd, Greensboro, GA.
Parks Ferry Public Recreation Area
Get outside and experience the beauty of nature at Parks Ferry Campground and Recreation Area. At this lakeside park, you can relax, go fishing, or spend quality time with family and friends. Parks Ferry Recreation Area offers full-service campgrounds and primitive sites. Its amenities include an outdoor sports area, picnicking pavilion, grill, boat launch ramp, and a children’s playground. Learn more and visit the park at 1491 Parks Mill Rd., Greensboro, GA.
Lawrence Shoals Campground
Located near Wallace Dam is Lawrence Shoals Campground. This park offers a lot more than just full-service campgrounds and primitive campsites. There are nature trails for hiking, a picnic pavilion, a swimming beach, a children’s playground, restrooms, two archery ranges, a standing target range, and a total of twenty 3-D target ranges. The swimming area has a white sand beach and several picnic spots. There’s also a pavilion with a barbecue pit. Learn more and visit the park at 123 Wallace Dam Road, Eatonton, GA.
Rock Hawk Park
Conveniently adjacent to Lawrence Shoals Park is Rock Hawk Park. Its claim to fame is a large 2,000-year-old Rock Hawk Effigy. There are indoor and outdoor interpretive centers and several educational displays along the trails that surround the effigy. The exhibits along the path and wetlands inform patrons of the area’s flora and fauna and the unique history of Putnam County’s effigies. The effigy, wetlands, birds, and wildlife are viewed from special towers. Overall, there are 15 miles of educational hiking and biking trails and 12 miles of technical biking trails. The park also offers a swimming beach, camping, fishing, canoeing trails, and an archery range, complete with targets. Learn more and visit the park at 125 Wallace Dam Rd., Eatonton, GA.
Harbor Club residents are fortunate to have several park-like amenities located throughout our Southern Living Inspired Community. The Grove campus offers hiking trails, a track, a sports field, dog parks, and a sanctuary pond, just to name a few. And every Harbor Club member has access to Lake Oconee via our Boathouse Marina, where there’s a dock, boat ramp, and several comfy Adirondack chairs to lounge in and enjoy views of the lake. While visiting our area’s parks, why not stop by and tour our community? You might discover the park-like setting at Harbor Club to be perfect for you. Learn more and schedule a tour today.