Sweetwater Creek Park Interpretive Programs Offered In October

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness located at 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs. 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.

The following are the interpretive programs offered By Sweetwater Creek Park in October.

Twilight Lake Paddle
Fridays, October 5, 12, 19 5:30PM-7:00PM
Sundays, October 7, 14 5:30PM-7:00PM
Join us for a peaceful, ranger-led lake outing as we enjoy the setting sun and watch for wading birds like Great Blue Herons and Egrets and raptors like Bald Eagles and Ospreys. There will also be a short paddle up Beaver Creek to view a beaver dam. This program is open to adults who can swim and children 6 years or older who can swim and are accompanied by an adult. You may choose either a canoe or a tandem kayak for this trip. Reservations are required. Meet at the Bait Shop.
$20 includes kayak, PFD, and paddle plus $5 parking.

Sweetwater Creek by Kayak
Saturdays, October 6, 13
10:00AM-12:30PM & 3:00PM-5:30PM
Join us for a beautiful still water paddle through a peaceful stretch of Sweetwater Creek in a tandem kayak. There is also a short walking tour to view the New Manchester mill ruins (including inside) and the magnificent whitewater rapids (up to class IV). This outing is for adults (18 yrs. and older) who
can swim and those 12 yrs. to 17 yrs. who can swim and are with an adult. Kayak, PFD, and paddle included. Register in advance. Meet at the Visitor’s Center.
$25 plus $5 parking.

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Candlelight Hike to the Mill
Saturday, October 6 7:00PM-9:00PM
This mile-long guided night hike is moderately difficult and goes down to and inside the 5 story Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester alongside the beautiful rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Candle lanterns are provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. No reservations. Cash only.
Meet and pay at the Visitor Center parking lot. $5 plus $5 parking.

Life on the Creek--Native American Hike
Sunday, October 7 12:00PM-1:30PM
Sunday, October 21 5:00PM-6:30PM
Join us on a peaceful, easy to moderate, one-and-a-half-mile
hike along Sweetwater Creek as we discuss the life of the
Cherokee and Creek tribes who called the area which is now
Sweetwater Creek State Park home. 6 years and older. $5 plus $5 parking

Historic New Manchester Mill
Sundays, October 7, 14 1:00PM-2:30PM
Monday, October 8 4:00PM-5:30PM
This hike follows Sweetwater Creek down to and inside the historic five-story Civil War era New Manchester mill with a Park Ranger. The mill, seen in the "Hunger Games: Mockingjay” film, is situated alongside the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. This walking tour requires a moderate mile-long hike (total) down to the mill and back.
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. $5 plus $5 parking.

Junior Ranger Day Camp
Monday, October 8 9:00AM-2:00PM
Join us for 5 hours of fun and education learning about nature and history. Highlights include walking down to and inside the Civil War era New Manchester mill alongside the rapids of Sweetwater Creek as well as taking pedal boats out on the lake. There will be other hikes and fun activities. Lunch is not included. Ages 6 to 12.
$25 plus $5 parking.

"Bark in the Park" Dog Hike
Monday, October 8 4:00PM-5:30PM
Walk the beautiful trails of the park with your four-legged companion. Enjoy a guided hike by a Park Ranger alongside the rapids of Sweetwater Creek and view (including inside) the Civil War era five-story New Manchester mill seen in the film "Hunger Games: Mockingjay";. Any dog lovers without a dog are also welcome. Reservations required. Meet outside the Visitor's Center. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required.
$5 plus $5 parking.

Introduction to Fly Fishing
Saturday, October 13 9:30AM-11:30AM
Join us for a ranger led program to learn the art of fly fishing. We will practice casting techniques and learn about the gear and tackle that will help in your journey for catching fish on a fly rod. Bring your own rod (some available for loan), reel, and tackle. Meet at the Visitor Center. Max capacity 6.
Reservations required. $25 plus $5 parking.

"John Muir Inspired" Identification Hike
Sunday, Oct 14 2:00PM-3:30PM
No cameras or search engines, only pencil and paper. This hike will be an educational program geared toward drawing and identifying native and non-native animal and plant species. Pencil and sketch pad recommended. 8 yrs. and older.
Reservations required. $5 plus $5 parking.

"Rivers Alive" Cleanup
Saturday, Oct 20 10:00AM- 2:00PM
Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual waterway cleanup event that targets all waterways in GA. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. We will be cleaning up around Sweetwater Creek and Sparks Reservoir as well as from kayaks. Register in advance. $5 parking.

Geology Hike
Saturday, October 20 1:00PM-4:00PM
Geologist and "Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park"; president John Johnston will lead a moderately strenuous two-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the inside of the five story Civil War era New Manchester Mill alongside the magnificent whitewater rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Meet in the Visitor's Center. Sturdy, closed toe shoes are required. $5 plus $5 parking.

Art in the Park
Saturday, Oct 20 5:00PM- 6:30 PM
Bring any means of art (paints and canvas or pencils and notepads) on a ranger-led tour inside the astonishing New Manchester mill ruins and the rapids of Sweetwater Creek.
Create your own artwork while you enjoy beautiful views.
Reservations required. $5 plus $5 parking.

Owl Prowl
Saturday, Oct 20 6:00PM- 8:00PM
Join park rangers on this nighttime excursion on the white trail as we listen and watch for these nocturnal birds of prey. Meet at the Interpretive Center for a moderate 2 mile hike. This program is for ages 12 years and up. Wear comfortable clothes, dress for the weather, and bring a flash light. Register in advance. 5 plus $5 parking.

Fall Color Lake Paddle
Sundays, Oct 21, 28 2:00PM- 3:30PM
This peaceful, ranger-led paddle will allow you to explore the Sparks Reservoir and Beaver Creek in the magnificence of fall color. All who are over 18 and can swim are welcome, as are those 6 years and older who can swim and are accompanied by a parent. Meet at the Bait Shop. Reservations required.
Includes tandem kayak, PFD and paddle. $20 plus $5 parking.

Almost Full Moon Paddle
Tuesday, October 23 & Thursday October 25
7:00PM-8:45PM
Join us for a peaceful, ranger-led paddle on the Sparks Reservoir under the almost full moon. This program is offered to all adults (18 years and older) who can swim. You have a choice of a tandem kayak or a canoe. Kayak, PFD, paddle, and glow sticks provided. Meet at the Bait Shop. Reservations are required. $25 plus $5 parking.

Introduction to Wilderness Survival
Saturday, Oct 27 1:00PM-4:00PM
This class covers basic and intermediate survival techniques. For ages 12 and up. Learn general skills such as fire making, emergency shelter construction, and navigation. Registration is required. Space limited. $10 plus $5 parking.

Photographer's Hike
Sunday, Oct 28 5:00PM- 6:30PM
Join a Park Ranger who will take you to their favorite photogenic areas along the trails and on the magnificent rapids and rocks of Sweetwater Creek as well as down to the spectacular New Manchester Mill (as seen in the film "Hunger Games: Mockingjay." $6 plus $5 parking.

Image via Shutterstock