Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s history and wildlife watching at the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery give Warm Springs two distinct points of interest. There is also a designated historic district and scenic road routes whose lengths can be compared. When planning, it is important to note that the historic area of Roosevelt's Little White House is temporarily closed.
Roosevelt History and Historic Designations
Roosevelt's Little White House is a National Historic Landmark. Franklin Delano Roosevelt built the house in 1932, when he was governor of New York; his inauguration as president followed in 1933. According to a Georgia State Parks notice viewed on September 5, 2026, the historic area—including the Little White House, servants’ quarters, and guest house—is temporarily closed until further notice for renovation work. Check the current status before your trip.
The FDR Memorial Museum is next to the cottage at Roosevelt's Little White House. It features exhibits about treatments for polio and other serious illnesses in the early 20th century. Much of the museum is also devoted to FDR’s influence on support for people with disabilities and on rural Georgia. Its subject matter therefore ranges from medical history to social issues.
The Warm Springs Historic District is designated a National Historic Landmark District. This designation applies to the district; the Little White House has its own designation. The history of polio treatment also includes the Warm Springs Foundation: it founded the world’s first hospital—and for many years its only hospital—devoted exclusively to treating people with polio (poliomyelitis).
Wildlife Watching at the Fish Hatchery
The Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery offers several areas of interest to visitors. The public aquarium features exhibits about the work of the station and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The facility also includes outdoor pools and wetland ponds. Visitors may see alligators, fish, and carnivorous plants there; individual wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
A butterfly habitat attracts monarchs and other pollinators. In addition to the aquarium, outdoor pools, and ponds, the hatchery also has a dedicated habitat for butterflies and pollinators. The different areas offer visitors with an interest in the station’s work or in animals and plants a range of ways to engage.
Two Scenic Road Routes
The Meriwether-Pike Scenic Byway begins in Warm Springs, Georgia, at SR 85 and is 55 miles long. If you plan to drive this route, check current road conditions beforehand, as they can change.
The Chattahoochee Flint Heritage Highway is a 155-mile scenic route. Its features include architecture, landscapes, picturesque villages, historic sites, and special events. Individual event dates and route conditions can change; check both before planning a specific drive.
At 155 miles, the Chattahoochee Flint Heritage Highway is nearly three times as long as the 55-mile Meriwether-Pike Scenic Byway. Comparing their lengths helps put the different scales of the two routes into perspective.
Discover more destinations: Gay.
For the broader travel overview: Meriwether County.
