Lithia Springs, GA
Sweetwater Creek State Park is quite easy to access since it lies just a bit west of Atlanta and off a main interstate–one of the reasons I’ve been to it more than most other state parks. With multiple trails along the creek, a nice visitor center with history museum, and a reservoir lake where you can rent boats and canoes, it would be a great park no matter what. But what makes it especially stand out is how you can find vestiges of the town that was once here, particularly the remains of an old Confederate cotton mill that was destroyed. These signature ruins have been featured in major movies and TV and the convenience of access has made the park as a whole a popular filming site.
Kayaking George H Sparks Reservoir (215 acres)
A paddle around the Sweetwater Creek’s reservoir is pretty straightforward since there are not a lot twists and turns, but there’s something relaxing about being able to take in the large expanse of water and forest surrounding it all in one view. I was out on a blue-sky day when the water was particularly reflective which made it quite nice. I also really enjoyed seeing a larger number of cormorants out on the water. I’d actually been out on the lake a couple of decades prior in a rented boat before I’d ever thought to get a kayak of my own. That was in the fall so there were lots of bright colors and I remember those being contrasted by a beautiful black swan.
