Comer, GA
This state park lies along the South Fork River and is known and named for the 1880s historic covered wooden bridge at its heart. The bridge straddles the river just above the dam where water spills down the shoals below. Once the site of a mill and powerhouse of which only stone wall traces remain, the park is now full of trails including a very large area for horse riding with stables and cabins nearby. I also really enjoyed watching numerous birds feeding in the shallow flowing water at the shoals, including a large hawk diving in for fish!
Kayaking (a portion of) the South Fork River (2 1/2 miles)
The South Fork River, which is what flows beside and through the park and under Watson Mill Bridge, is fairly calm in this areas so it is easy to put in a kayak above the dam and go for a relaxing paddle upstream about 2 1/2 miles before you come to a bend that marks the end of the park area. There happens to be (or is purposefully?) a big tree down at that point that you cannot paddle around so it’s a good point to turn and ride the gentle current back down to the bridge. Along the way you pass under the shaded arc of trees and see waterbirds like the baby blue heron I passed by feeding on mussels in the sand.
