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    McIntosh Reserve

    4.0 (7 reviews)

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    River overlook pavilion
    Robin S.

    McIntosh Reserve is a park and historical site operated by Carroll County. Free for residents of the county, the cost is only $3 for everyone else. The park is located a few miles south off Hwy 5 just south of the town of Whitesburg. The Chattahoochee River lies on its southern border and is the main feature of the park. The historical part relates to the life and doings of a Creek chief, William McIntosh, who lived and was murdered at his home located on these grounds. There's a log cabin purported to be 'just like the one he lived in', the actual residence having been destroyed at some point. His grave is nearby. There's not much to see at the log cabin. I came here for the hiking, which isn't really what this park does best. There are a good number of trails but an almost total lack of trail markings or maps onsite. The best trails near the river are in fact equestrian paths, which is OK as long as you don't mind the mud the horses churn up and keep an eye out for droppings. On the non-river side of the road, there are more typical walking trails, but, as I said, almost totally unmarked. I found exactly one map in the park showing trails and it was located at an equestrian parking area, which gives you a clue as to the intended purpose of the trails. The visitor entrance did not have one and the old ranger station located at the other end also did not. In fact, the ranger station was unoccupied and had zero information posted outside. For my hike, I tore out the pages of the Atlanta area hiking book which had led me here. It had a map, albeit an inaccurate one. I did a fair bit of wandering trying figure out where I was and where the trails were. The website has a good map showing the trails - click on 'Park Map', not 'Trail Map'. The latter is pretty useless. There were few people in the park when I visited and thus few people using the facilities, but it's apparent that the main attraction is picnicking. The park boasts several pavilions, one with a great river view. There's also what is called a 'water park', although that turns out to be an area near a couple of ponds where vertical spray fountains are installed for the kids to play in. Other than that, the most prominent feature would be acres and acres of mown grass. There is a lot of mown grass here, and even a very large field of unmown grass that serves as a wildlife viewing field. I didn't see any wildlife. The online 'Trail Map' suggests that the large field is used for model airplanes, the mown part of it I would assume. Bottom line, if you're local and need a spot for a large gathering - say a company picnic - McIntosh Reserve is the place to be. The best river views are located in a rather rough-looking picnic area on the other side of the road from the old ranger station at the south end of the park. Here you'll find a pretty scenic overlook. You can walk down to the river from there and continue on for a half mile or so along the river bank until you get to the large wildlife viewing field. As with almost everywhere in this park, you'll also find a bunch of picnic tables as you walk.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    My daughter and I had a nice time getting some fresh air and doing some fishing. The old cabin is pretty neat.

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    11 years ago

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    Sweetwater Creek State Park

    Sweetwater Creek State Park

    4.6(261 reviews)
    28.0 mi

    Today's hike at Sweetwater exceeded my expectations in every way! The weather was giving spring…read morevibes and the people were out for it ! Initially we parked in the wrong lot but that worked in our favor (where the bait and tackle shop is). There were lots of families out having picnics and fishing. We did a 1-mile loop in the area and were able to see the yurts. NOTED . Beautiful sites to take in before we ventured to the main lots with the visitor's center. Not only are the trails well marked, but there is ample parking across multiple lots. The attendant at the gate entrance was so kind, welcoming and JOYful! We ventured out on the red trail and it was gorgeous. To my surprise, the trail was full today. It seems that Sweetwater is a populated date spot!!! We saw folks of all ages out with picnic baskets, journals, coloring books, bathing suits ... it was AMAZING! We hiked to the end of the red trail and back, venturing off trail to be clear to the River only once. By far, this was one of my favorite hikes and definitely a place I'll revisit to explore some of the other trails.

    This is one of my favorite places to hike around Atlanta. There are several different trails so you…read morecan hike a couple of miles or 6 or 7 miles. The trail is really beautiful in the spring when the trees and plants are in bloom. The trailer is dog, friendly, but make sure you keep them on the leash.

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    Sweetwater Creek State Park - It was a beautiful day to be out in nature.

    It was a beautiful day to be out in nature.

    Sweetwater Creek State Park
    Sweetwater Creek State Park

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    Shiloh Trail Covered Bridge

    Shiloh Trail Covered Bridge

    4.0(1 review)
    17.2 mi

    This may be one of the oddest bridge location I've ever run across. You will find it along a garden…read morewalking path crossing a small gully with a stream no wider than 1 foot. The path is behind a church with multiple buildings that make it feel a lot like a 19th Century religious compound (not implying that it is). Prior to coming here I actually thought this was one of the last remaining historic bridges in the state of Georgia, but it turns out it was built in the 90's. The path allows you to wander through a variety of memorial trees and vegetation that I can only assume were planted in memory of church member loved ones. Most everything has a small plaque with the name of the person whom it was planted for (or by). The bridge itself is a real beauty and is said to have made use of 100 year old timbers from another old 1800's bridge that was once nearby. It certainly is one of the most handsome covered bridges in the state, even if it isn't a historic one. Location: Shiloh United Methodist Church Built: 1994 Length: 42 feet Crosses over: essentially what would be considered a drainage ditch. FINAL THOUGHTS You don't actually have to park in the church parking lot and walk the trail to see this bridge. Turn South on Davenport Mill Road and the bridge is less than 100 feet from the road and easily visible. My Georgia covered bridge list is nearly complete. I've provided a list below of all the covered bridges I've visited so far in the state from the furthest north to the deepest south. I've also included the year they were built: Stovall Mill ~ 1895 [furthest north] Blind Susie ~ 1915 [shortest] Poole's Mill ~ 1906 Cromer's Mill ~ 1906 Mashburn Estate ~ 1958 [private - no access to the public] Hurricane Shoals ~ 1882/2002 Euharlee ~ 1886 Roswell Vickery Creek ~ 2004 Watson Mill ~ 1885 [longest] Howard's Mill ~ 1905 Concord/Nickajack ~ 1872 Stone Mountain/Effie's ~ 1891 Elder's Mill ~ 1897 Shiloh Trail ~ 1994 [furthest west] Haralson Mill ~ 1997 Old Town Morrow ~ 2008 [newest] Big Red Oak Creek ~ 1840 [oldest] Calloway Gardens ~ 1870 Auchumpkee ~ 1892/1997 [favorite] Parrish Mill @ George L. Smith State Park ~ 1880 [furthest east] Coheelee Creek ~ 1891[furthest south] There are at least 25 more, but most are small, have been built in the last 50 years and are on private property.

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    Shiloh Trail Covered Bridge
    Shiloh Trail Covered Bridge
    Shiloh Trail Covered Bridge

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    Dog River Reservoir Recreational Complex

    Dog River Reservoir Recreational Complex

    4.0(2 reviews)
    21.7 mi

    Okay. So I was out driving for a dang on hour before I could locate this park. There are signs…read moredirecting you towards the park but damn-it there is no physical address listed. So I used my GPS to pin point the address from inside the park. First things first. There are NO PETS ALLOWED! Yeah you heard me. Fido can not get out of your vehicle at this location. Also, I should probably mention that if you are coming from Chapel Hill Road end of this street then you will be able to enter the park just fine. If you are coming from, say S. Fulton Parkway, then you will need to go down the road and turn around and come back up to the park. The same as exiting. You can NOT TURN LEFT as you leave this location. When you first enter the park you must travel down a long gravel road at 10 MPH. It may be a mile or two down this road and then you get to the park booth. Over towards the left if where most people are parked. Then to the right of that booth is a directory for persons with boats, persons looking for the Pavilion or those that are wanting to fish from the Fishing pier. I thought this park was absolutely gorgeous! It;s nice quiet and serene. But how in the heck are you suppose to find the park Douglas County? Anyway, I guess that's why it's so nice and quiet. Cause no one can find the damn place! :)

    Dog River Reservoir is the main drinking water source for the county. Certain restrictions like no…read moredogs (or dog poop) are for that reason. It's a quiet and peaceful place. No glass containers, gasoline fueled boats or swimming is allowed. It is also only open to Douglas County property and business owners.

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    Dog River Reservoir Recreational Complex

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    McIntosh Reserve - parks - Updated May 2026

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