These two state parks are politely described as “off the beaten path”. Some may have even described them as “in the middle of no where”. While we agree that they are remote, that is part of their charm. We feel that they are well worth a detour to find (1) scenic lake views, (2) good boating, and (3) historical artifacts from early Georgia.
Hamburg State Park
Scenic Lake Views
All of the 32 campsites at Hamburg State Park are shaded and situated right on the banks of quiet Lake Hamburg. Their wonderful lake views are rare in state parks. Our spacious and private campsite (#20) was at the end of the peninsula, and we think it had the best views of all.
We had awesome views from daylight til dusk – even from inside our tiny little Tab 400 RV.
The challenge was to determine which time of day was the most beautiful. In the morning we liked to watch as the heavy fog almost obscuring the lake views burned off.
We frequently saw a great blue heron surveying the fishing prospects as he flew by, walked along the shoreline, or perched on a stump.
When the sun began to set in later afternoon, “golden hour” brought spectacular colors to the sky, trees, and water.
This was our cue to relax by the fire.
When the sun went down…
the grandkids would remind us that it was time to cook marshmallows and make s’mores.
I could go on and on with the sunrise/sunset pictures…. But sometimes the best spot to while away the hours was right there on the hammock.
Or maybe hanging out at the dock or playground right by the campsite.
Or maybe working on the watermelon sucker with real black ants obtained from the visitor center.
Boating
Philip procured a jon boat from the park’s visitors center that was powered by a quiet little electric motor and a canoe with cushioned seats and seat backs. We were in high cotton as we puttered around the lake looking for birds and watching out for stumps.
Philip had fun shuttling the boats to and from the visitor center. Notice that he included his bike as cargo so that he could pedal it back to the campsite.
Oops! Philip forgot his bike helmet. I was proud that my photo caught his helmet in mid air!
History
The park’s 1921 water-powered grist mill is still operational.
The museum’s windows framed views of the lake fed by the Little Ogeechee River.
The grist mill’s museum included old agricultural tools and farm implements used in rural Georgia.
The taxidermy specimens, included a bobcat and a beaver-chewed tree stump.
We enjoyed learning about the history of this once bustling/thriving community.
The Old Warthen Jail c. 1783 – Oldest Jail in Georgia Today
When we went for gas in nearby Warthen, Georgia, we were particularly intrigued to find the oldest jail in Georgia today. The small, hand-hewn log structure with vents above a single door was restored in 1998. Aaron Burr was confined in the jail overnight in 1807 in route to his trial for treason in Richmond, VA.
Warthen turned out to be an interesting little town that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. For a time the town was prosperous, including a hotel, two banks, and three doctors, until the boll weevil intervened in 1920 and the railroad was subsequently discontinued.
We whiled away a couple of hours attempting to track down the 30 other historic structures that were described in a brochure we found at the jail.
George L. Smith State Park
Named after a former local politician and Speaker of the Georgia House or Representatives, George L. Smith State Park features a beautiful blackwater cypress pond, a refurbished mill, and seven miles of trails where you can search for gopher tortoises (Georgia’s state reptile).
The serene, cypress-filled water of Watson Pond has been described as something out of a Dr. Seuss book or something out of Jurassic Park.
We did not get a chance to take the highly recommended kayak tour of the pond. We hope to get back to further explore this park’s beauty when the water is higher.
Grist Mill History
The museum at the combination covered bridge / grist mill / saw mill / dam provided a quick description of the area’s prior history and scenic views of the cypress pond.
We had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich picnic near the playground area overlooking the lake.
And so we concluded our first few days along the back roads of middle Georgia while camping at Hamburg State Park. We plan to explore a couple of other nearby state parks during the rest of our week at Hamburg State Park.