Reed Bingham

Reed Bingham State Park Trail Map 0 R ROU NDT REE BRI DGE 0.5 Mile ROA D R Litt le R il Tra ne c S he Bi S PA K PA B O U RK N D Y DA RY Trail UN ng BO R rli A Ye a S R S Ye arl in PA R K B O U N D A RY rd Red Roberts Loop to r r EVERG REEN CHURC D H ROA Trail Rest Stations Pioneer Camping Playground Beach Pavilion Swimming Fishing Pier Boat Ramp Wildlife Viewing Area Dump Station RV and Tent Camping Miniature Golf Biking Stage Restrooms Picnic Area Picnic Shelter Group Shelter Staff Residence Parking Park Office Paved Road Gopher Tortoise Management Area Longleaf Pine Restoration Area Bridge to Island Kayak/Canoe Water Trail Red Roberts Loop Yearling Trail Gopher Tortoise Bike Loop Upland ConnectorTrail Pitcher Plant Path Turkey Oak Trail The Birdwalk Trail Little River Trail LEGEND il T Upl and Con iver Tu ak R S a Tr S rke yO a il PA R K B O U N D A RY Gopher Tortoise Loop 5 - 6 Miles ADEL & I-7 AY 3 7 GA HIGHW REED BINGHAM ROAD l Tra i lk wa g ARY Y 37 PA R K B O U N D A RY PA R K B OUND 0.25 GA HIGH WA M O U LT R I E 14 Miles T 542 Reed Bingham Road, Adel, GA 31620 • Park: 229-896-3551 • Emergency: 911 • Reservations: 1-800-864-7275 • GeorgiaStateParks.org PA R K B O U N D A RY Safety Tips & Etiquette Coastal Plain Nature Trails • Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time. Little River Trail • Be prepared for unexpected weather changes by dressing in layers and carrying rain gear. (multi-use | 1.1 miles length | walking & biking | partial accessibility | natural surface | softness, distance, obstacles) Visitors to this scenic 1,613-acre park will see an abundance of wildlife and plantlife, particularly gopher tortoises and “buzzards.” During winter, thousands of these large birds, which are actually black vultures and turkey vultures, roost in the trees and soar overhead. Throughout the year, large gopher tortoises may be seen digging large dens in the sandy soil. Alligators, herons, egrets, eagles and many other species also live in this protected park. A 375-acre lake is popular with boaters and skiers, and fishing for bass, crappie, catfish and bream is excellent. Facilities include a campground, picnic shelters, playground, swimming beach, hiking trails and fishing docks. These Forests Were Once Dominated by Longleaf Pine South Georgia and most of the southeastern coastal plain from Virginia to Texas were once dominated by Longleaf Pine and a grassy understory. It was home to gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpeckers and many other species. This rich plant and animal community, which scientists refer to as the Longleaf Pine/wiregrass ecosystem, is known to be one of the most diverse natural communities in the world. It is estimated that less than 3% of this once vast ecosystem still remains. As a result more than 30 plant and animal species associated with the Longleaf Pine ecosystem are considered threatened and endangered. Reed Bingham State Park is restoring the Longleaf Pine to its rightful place. Returning a landscape to the state it was in before people intervened is a new and largely experimental field of science. It took Mother Nature many years to create complex natural communities of plants and animals. We humans have unraveled these intricate and finely woven tapestries in haste and are now scrambling to put them back together. When this site became a park in 1965 a few Longleaf Pines remained but much of the land had been cleared for agriculture. In 2005-2006 Reed Bingham State Park became part of a major conservation effort to restore Longleaf Pine in the southeastern United States. Fire is a Natural Part of the Landscape Before people changed the landscape, lighteningcaused fires were allowed to sweep across large expanses of land with nothing to stop them. These natural fires were essential for the continued success of the longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem. The flames prevented less fire-tolerant species like oaks from growing and competing with the Longleaf Pine and wiregrass. Longleaf Pines have thicker bark than other pines and are more resisant to fire. Today, Reed Bingham State Park carefully plans “prescribed burns” to maintain a healthy ecosystem. • Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and whistle. Three short blasts on a whistle are known as a call for help. This 1.1-mile trail introduces you to a River Swamp. Periodically flooded by the Little River, these bottomlands contain plants such as bald cypress, tupelos and spruce pine, that have adapted to wet conditions. This area is the interface between higher and drier uplands and the aquatic river environment. There are extensive boardwalks and two observation points overlooking the river. Look for river otters, spotted turtles and deer. • Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay in one location and wait for help. This will make it easier for rescuers to find you. • Don’t count on cell phones to work in the wilderness, but if they do, give details about your location. • Invest in good hiking socks such as those found at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by carrying “moleskin” and applying it as soon as you feel a hot spot on your feet. Available in the foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like felt that sticks to your skin. • Be prepared for unexpected rain and wind which can lead to hypothermia. Always carry quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather. If you become wet or cold, it is important to get dry and warm as quickly as possible. The Birdwalk Trail (multi-use | 0.8 mile length | walking & biking | limited accessibility | natural surface | softness, grades, obstacles) This 0.8-mile trail takes you away from the river and traverses through five natural communities. The most striking is probably the mixed southern hardwoods, where you’ll see towering Southern magnolias, hickory, American holly and the rare silky camellia. Another unique aspect is the boardwalk featuring an observation area among a variety of ferns. The Upland Connector (multi-use | 0.5 mile length | walking & biking | partial accessibility | natural surface | softness, obstacles) This 0.5-mile trail takes you in a short circle. You’ll begin on the edge of a floodplain forest among a mixture of pines (slash, pond and loblolly) and then cross an open pine woodland where longleaf are more dominant. The trail also features wiregrass, flowering dogwood, Yellow Jessamine and Highbush blueberry. Turkey Oak Trail (multi-use | 0.3 mile length | walking & biking | partial accessibility | natural surface | softness, obstacles) This short 0.3-mile trail cuts through the Upland Loop traversing through a variety of “scrub oaks”—turkey, blue jack, laurel and blackjack oak. Other plants include sassafras, sparkleberry, persimmon and two species of rare pitcher plants. Gopher tortoises are also abundant in this area. The Gopher Tortoise Bike Loop (multi-use | 1.0 mile length | walking & biking | partial accessibility | natural surface | softness) This one-mile-long bike trail covers an area that was once cultivated and features a variety of scrub oaks, longleaf pine, saw palmetto and wiregrass. You’ll also see large live oaks and wax myrtle. This section is also part of our Gopher Tortoise Management Area and the tortoises are commonly seen here. Yearling Trail • Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Luckily, today’s hikers can choose from numerous fabrics that wick moisture, dry quickly or conserve heat. Many experienced hikers wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and rain jacket. • Pack out all trash. • Keep pets on a leash. • Do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife. • Protect the landscape by staying on trails. (multi-use | 1.0 mile length | walking & biking | limited accessibility | natural surface | softness, grades, obstacles) This 1.0-mile connector trail links the Little River Loop and the Birdwalk Trail to the northern tip of the park at Red Roberts Landing. The trail climbs steadily from bottomland forest to high river bluff providing scenic overlooks of the beautiful Little River. The forested bluff is dominated by pines and palmettos with an occasional gopher tortoise burrow. Red Roberts Loop (multi-use | 0.6 mile length | walking & biking | limited accessibility | natural surface | softness, grades) This 0.6-mile trail at the northernmost end of the park can be easily accessed from the Red Roberts Landing parking lot. The forested loop trail features two small wooden bridges crossing one of many small drainage creeks that flow into the Little River. CLIMATE DATA FOR ADEL, GEORGIA Month Avg. High Avg. Avg. Low Mean Precip. Record High Record Low Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 62ºF 65ºF 70ºF 78ºF 84ºF 89ºF 90ºF 90ºF 87ºF 79ºF 72ºF 64ºF 36ºF 39ºF 44ºF 50ºF 58ºF 65ºF 68ºF 68ºF 63ºF 52ºF 43ºF 37ºF 15ºF (2003) 13ºF (1996) 15ºF (2002) 31ºF (2000) 39ºF (1999) 53ºF (2000) 58ºF (1988) 55ºF (1997) 44ºF (1990) 30ºF (1989) 24ºF (2002) 10ºF (1989) 49ºF 52ºF 57ºF 64ºF 71ºF 77ºF 79ºF 79ºF 75ºF 66ºF 58ºF 51ºF 5.34 in 4.17 in 5.53 in 2.67 in 2.32 in 4.49 in 4.08 in 4.33 in 3.79 in 2.62 in 2.47 in 3.03 in 79ºF (2002) 83ºF (1989) 90ºF (2005) 92ºF (1990) 97ºF (1996) 101ºF (2002) 102ºF (2000) 101ºF (1995) 99ºF (1990) 92ºF (2002) 88ºF (2000) 80ºF (1998)