Blakely, GA
Kolomoki is a unique Georgia state park because it is built around the site of several ancient Native American ritual mounds and is thus just as important historically and archaeologically as it is enjoyable for camping and enjoyment of its two central lakes. The main temple and burial mounds are significant examples of early Woodlands Period culture. Unfortunately, the 1950s era museum had to be shut down because it didn’t follow later acts that held to the dignity and preservation of Native remains. Hopefully, they’ll be able to revamp it into a respectful and informative history center one of these days. Meanwhile there are pine filled trails and lakes with swampy interiors (and the occasional alligator!).
Kayaking Lake Kolomoki (80 acres) and Lake Yohola (50 acres)
Kolomoki Mounds contains two smallish lakes, both formed from the Little Kolomoki Creek which has been dammed up at two points before tumbling down spillways to the next section down. The main lake on which camping lies is Lake Kolomoki. It looked a fairly non-descript long rectangle at first view though it was unique for the having lines of lilypads almost all the way around. Yet paddling around it, I soon came across what looked like a little path and that just kept going back into an area that was full of tree covered narrow passages draped with Spanish moss, large patches of plants, and a big blue heron that I gave startle as I came around a corner. I looked the trail map and discovered the area labelled as a cypress pond offshoot of the lake. Though connected by the stream, you cannot navigate up the river to Lake Yohola but instead have to drive around to its entrance on the back of the park. It has a bridge and trail running across it as well as a fishing pier off its dam. Paddling around it, there are large swaths of waterlily fields surrounded by forest. Signs warn of alligators, but unfortunately I did not see one while out kayaking. There was one later in Kolomoki lake that I was able to get photos of from shore.
