A lake with a world-record catch, a river that forms the county’s southern border, and places where traces of history are clearly visible: Telfair County combines nature and cultural experiences in different ways. When planning, it’s worth considering the river landscape, trails, and historic sites as separate highlights rather than combining them into a fixed itinerary.
Ocmulgee River and Landscape
The Ocmulgee River forms the entire southern border of Telfair County. Its curved stretch here is known as the “Big Bend.” Montgomery Lake is an oxbow lake on the Ocmulgee River. The world-record largemouth bass was caught there in 1932—a notable historical link between the waterway and the region’s fishing history.
Horse Creek WMA reveals another side of the landscape: it encompasses just over 7,397 acres in Georgia’s coastal plains. Those interested in nature around Telfair County can consider these landscape features alongside the specific experiences at Little Ocmulgee.
Trails, Water, and Activities
Little Ocmulgee State Park lies north of McRae on the Little Ocmulgee River. The lake in the park has a small beach, and the 2.6-mile Oak Ridge Trail offers another way to combine a visit with a walk through the park.
Little Ocmulgee State Park Lodge has 60 rooms in its main building and ten cottages by the lake. As accommodation availability can change, it’s a good idea to check current availability before your trip.
The Wallace Adams Golf Course has 18 holes. Longleaf pines, willows, and magnolias shape the surroundings of the course. If you’re considering golf, a round on the Oak Ridge Trail, or time by the lake, you can weigh these different options as you plan without having to follow a prescribed daily itinerary.
The Big Bend Paddlers organize group paddling trips on the stretch of the Ocmulgee River in Telfair County. Membership is not required to join a paddling trip. Check for current dates in advance so you can plan around the options actually being offered.
Historic Sites and Culture
In McRae, the McRae Walking Tour is a self-guided tour of more than 30 homes and churches from the New South era. “Telfair Trails” offers a different way to explore: the Pioneer Historical Society publishes this driving tour of historic sites and structures in the county. The walking tour and driving tour therefore focus on different things—viewing individual buildings on foot or bringing historic sites and structures together on a drive.
Liberty Square is home to a scale-model replica of the Statue of Liberty, built to a 1:12 scale. It was made from a tree stump from a nearby swamp and carved with a chainsaw. McRae’s old fire bell is displayed next to the replica. In a small space, the two objects show different aspects of local history: an unusual carved landmark and an object from the town’s past.
The Telfair Center for the Arts is a repurposing of the historic South Georgia College administration building. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Maneely Room in the arts center houses the Telfair County Museum; visits are possible by appointment or during live events. If you’d like to plan a museum visit, check in advance which of these options works for your schedule.
The 1937 Sugar Creek Plantation is in the McRae-Helena area and was the home of Governor Eugene Talmadge and U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge. Today, the main house and plantation are used as a venue for meetings, celebrations, and weddings. Confirm availability separately for events. The Pioneer Historical Society also holds its annual Founder's Day Celebration in historic Jacksonville.
Practical Information
The Telfair County Farmers Market is located at 139 N. Third Ave in McRae-Helena. Its listed hours are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check the hours before your visit, as market information can change. This makes it easy to treat the market as a separate stop, while the river, park, and historic sites each offer different reasons to spend time in Telfair County.
Discover more destinations: Mcrae, Effingham County, Forsyth, Monroe, Washington County, Habersham County, Gordon, Barrow County
For the main travel overview: Georgia.
