LOCATE IT: Middle Georgia

Middle Georgia: The Heart of Georgia’s Trails, Gardens, & Lake Activities

Stretching from Macon, the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, in the southwest to Athens, the Classic
City, in the northeast, Middle Georgia intrigues visitors with three state parks, flowing rivers,
sparkling lakes, country roads for cyclists, and lots of wildlife.

In the Macon area, hike the 11-mile Ocmulgee Heritage Trail along the Ocmulgee River, explore ancient Indian mounds at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, and boat, fish, and water ski on Lake Tobesofkee. You can also rent a kayak or canoe in Macon to paddle down the Ocmulgee. Just northwest of Macon, hike the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Trail through the 35,000-acre Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge;with luck, you may catch a glimpse of this endangered bird.

A little south of Macon, Fort Valley introduces you to the peach industry through a small bus tour of Georgia peach and pecan orchards at Lane Packing, the state’s largest peach grower. Or walk among acres of grasslands, ponds, roses, camellias, and azaleas at Fort Valley’s Massee Lane Gardens.

Enjoy Perry’s network of trails and parks or come for one of the area’s signature events, the Dogwood Festival or the Georgia National Fair. Stop at Brannen Outfitters to pick up the outdoor gear you’ll need to hunt and fish in this area. Play a round of golf at Warner Robins’ International City Golf Club or take a walk on the Wellston Trail. Stroll through Milledgeville’s Lockerly Arboretum and its exhibit of 100 bonsai trees. See the bobcats, bison and farm animals, a woodland garden, and enjoy hike-bike-horse trails at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. Nearby, camp and swim at America’s first state park, Indian Springs, which pays homage to Chief William

McIntosh and Georgia’s Creek Indians.

In addition to Indian Springs, parks in the area include Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, which provides one of the state’s best golf values; and High Falls State Park in Jackson, where you can enjoy the scenic waterfall on the Towaliga River, hike to the ruins of a bygone grist mill, then camp, picnic, and canoe.

Discover Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, a protected 173-acre wildlife preserve within Conyers’ Georgia International Horse Park, just a few miles outside of Atlanta. Minutes from the Horse Park is Black Shoals Park, a 650-acres reservoir and recreational facility offering fishing, canoeing, boating, picnicking, and hiking. Or enjoy public fishing, hiking, biking, and interpretive programs at the 6,400-acre Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Covington and at the Georgia Wildlife Federation/Alcovy Conservation Center’s 115 acres along the Alcovy River, surrounded by native plant gardens.

Outside the cities, much of Middle Georgia is rural farmland filled with peach orchards, berry patches and farm stands. Stop and fill a basket while you’re in the area.

With all there is to see and do, it’s no wonder visitors stop to smell the flowers, or hike through Middle Georgia’s beauty.

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Middle Georgia - Locations

3rd Street Mural

Historic Heartland
100-160 U.S. Hwy. 23
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4839

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Academy Springs Park

Historic Heartland
3120 Conyers St.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373

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Alcovy Conservation Center

Historic Heartland
11600 Hazelbrand Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
770-787-7887

Arabia Mountain Trail -Rockdale

Historic Heartland
3465 Hwy138 SE
Conyers, GA 30013
404-875-7284

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Ashton Hills Golf Club

Historic Heartland
10400 Covington Bypass SE
Covington, GA 30014
678-224-8586

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Butts Aglow Hot Air Balloon Show

Historic Heartland
The Rivers Ranch, 1959 Hwy. 42 N.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4839

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Butts County Visitor Center

Historic Heartland
25 Third St.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4839

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Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Historic Heartland
543 Elliott Trl.
Covington, GA 30252
770-784-3059

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Charlotte Weaver Rose Garden

Historic Heartland
1834 Hwy. 42 S.
Flovilla, GA 30216
770-775-5350

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Chimney Park

Historic Heartland
8201 Hazelbrand Rd.
Covington, GA 30014

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City of Forsyth CVB

Historic Heartland
20 N. Jackson St.
Forsyth, GA 31029
478-974-1460

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City Pond Park

Historic Heartland
13501 City Pond Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373

Classic City Clydesdales

Historic Heartland
4190 Price Mill Rd.
Bishop, GA 30621
706-424-1889

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Cornish Creek Reservoir/Lake Varner

Historic Heartland
2101 Clark St.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-7510

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Covington Central Park

Historic Heartland
3134 Ponderosa Dr. SW
Covington, GA 30014

Covington Visitors Center

Historic Heartland
1143 Oak St. SE
Covington, GA 30014
770-385-2077

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Cricket Frog Trail

Historic Heartland
1166 Elm St. NE
Covington, GA 30014

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Dauset Trails Nature Center

Historic Heartland
360 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Jackson, GA 30233-5926
770-775-6798

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Denny Dobbs Park

Historic Heartland
6244 Hwy. 212
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373

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Elder Mill Covered Bridge

Historic Heartland
1441 Elder Mill Rd, #1434
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706-769-5197

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Factory Shoals Park

Historic Heartland
450 Newton Factory Bridge Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
678-699-2809

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Georgia International Horse Park

Historic Heartland
1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy.
Conyers, GA 30013
770-860-4190

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Hadden Estates at DGD Farms

Historic Heartland
1112 Cliff Dawson Rd.
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706-705-6132

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Hamlin Hills Farm

Historic Heartland
477 Dames Ferry Rd.
Forsyth, GA 31029
844-FUN-FARM

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Harris Shoals Park

Historic Heartland
Harris Shoals Drive
Watkinsville, GA 30577
706-769-5161

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Heritage Park

Historic Heartland
2543 Macon Hwy.
Watkinsville, GA 30677
706-769-3965

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High Falls State Park

Historic Heartland
76 High Falls Park Dr.
Jackson, GA 30233
478-993-3053

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High Falls State Park – Forsyth

Historic Heartland
76 High Falls Park Dr.
Jackson, GA 30233
478-993-3053

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Indian Springs State Park

Historic Heartland
678 Lake Clark Rd.
Flovilla, GA 30216
770-504-2277

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Jennings Mill Golf Course

Historic Heartland
1150 Chambers Court
Bogart, GA 30622
706-548-3266

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Featured Attractions