Mistletoe State Park sits on 71,100-acre Clarks Hill Lake. This combination of park and water offers a striking introduction to Columbia: nature experiences, trails and history sit alongside specific activities such as paddling and year-round park programs.
Nature and Recreation
Mistletoe State Park has 15.5 miles of trails with varying levels of difficulty. The park also hosts programs throughout the year, including astronomy events, concerts and nature walks. The trail length and range of events show two different sides of the park: outdoor activity and a program that also covers cultural and nature-related topics.
The 33-acre Savannah Rapids Park is intended for passive recreation and has been a destination for nature lovers for more than 150 years. The park’s circa-1880 Lockkeeper’s Cottage houses Columbia County’s state-certified visitor center. Another attraction is the Wetland Interpretive Center: admission is free, and it features live animal exhibits as well as informative displays. Guided walks are available on request.
Heggie’s Rock Preserve is another named nature destination: the preserve in Columbia County covers about 101 acres. Wildwood Park provides access to Clarks Hill Lake. These details offer different points of reference for nature enthusiasts, from lake access to the size of a preserve.
Explore Trails and Water
Specific differences in length, surface and use can help when choosing a trail. The Bartram Trail is an 18.5-mile, one-way route with trails of varying difficulty. It is suitable for mountain biking, hiking, backpacking and camping. The Evans To Lock Trail is 6 miles long, fully paved and wheelchair-accessible. The approximately 4.2-mile Euchee Creek Greenway is used for walking, running and biking; visitors can access it from trailheads at Patriots Park or in the Canterbury Farms neighborhood.
Serene18 focuses on paddling: the experience is self-guided and includes kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Its five sections are part of a challenge in which completed routes can be stamped in the official Explorer Pass. When exploring, you can choose between trails on land and different ways to paddle.
Historic Sites
Old Kiokee Baptist Church combines a specific building history with a special place in Georgia. The current building was constructed on this site in 1808; the church is Georgia’s oldest continuously operating Baptist church. In Appling, the Columbia County Courthouse dates to around 1812. It is the oldest courthouse still in use in Georgia.
The Harlem Museum and Welcome Center tells the story of the city of Harlem and part of the history of Columbia County. Its current location offers more space, storage capacity for the collection and a larger exhibition area to tell the story of Laurel and Hardy and their societal impact. The museum therefore has a different focus from the historic churches and courthouses: it centers on local history and the impact of a well-known duo.
Practical Information
Columbia County is about two hours from Atlanta and near Augusta. Important for trip planning: the Reed Creek Boardwalk is closed until further notice because of damage from Hurricane Helene. Check its current status before visiting.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Grovetown, Evans, Harlem, Brooks, Bulloch, Dawson County, Harris County and Jeff Davis County.
Return to the main travel overview: Georgia.
