Watson Mill BridgeState Park - Georgia |
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is located near Comer and Carlton, Georgia on the South Fork of the Broad River. The park is named for the Watson Mill Bridge, the longest original-site covered bridge in Georgia, which spans 229 feet (69.73 meters) across the South Fork River.
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Watson Mill Bridge - Trails Map
Trails Map of Watson Mill Bridge State Park (SP) in Georgia. Published by Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.
Georgia State - Georgia Bike Map
Statewide Bike Map of Georgia. Published by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
brochures
Watson Mill Bridge - Map and Guide
Trails map and guide for Watson Mill Bridge State Historic Park (SHP) in Georgia. Published by Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.
Georgia State Parks - Parks Brochure
Brochure of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Published by Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.
Watson Mill Bridge SP
https://gastateparks.org/WatsonMillBridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watson_Mill_Bridge_State_Park
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is located near Comer and Carlton, Georgia on the South Fork of the Broad River. The park is named for the Watson Mill Bridge, the longest original-site covered bridge in Georgia, which spans 229 feet (69.73 meters) across the South Fork River.
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650 Watson Mill Road, Comer, Georgia 30629 • 706-783-5349 • Reservations: 800-864-7275 • Emergency: 911 • www.GeorgiaStateParks.org
LEGEND
TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS
WATSON MILL BRIDGE STATE PARK
Known as one of the most picturesque state parks in
Georgia, Watson Mill Bridge contains the largest original-site
covered bridge in the state, spanning 229 feet across the
South Fork River. Built in 1885, the bridge is supported by a
town lattice truss system held firmly together with wooden
pins. At one time, Georgia had more than 200 covered
bridges; today, less than 20 remain. Covering over 1,000
acres of land, the park is an ideal spot for an afternoon
picnic or an overnight stay at the campground. Nature
trails, bike trails and hiking/horse trails allow visitors to
enjoy the thick forest along the river or travel into the park’s
backcountry. During summer, visitors often play in the cool
river shoals.
The old Watson grist mill, from which the bridge got its
name, operated during the late 1800s. The mill was run by
Gabriel Watson and housed a furniture shop on the bottom
floor. Evidence of the old mill is long since gone, but there
is plenty of evidence of the old hydro-electric plant which
was fed by the river. The present dam and raceway wall
below the bridge were constructed around 1905 as part of
the hydro-electric plant.
ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Camping - The park offers 21 combination tent, trailer and
RV sites and 3 pioneer camping areas. A comfort station
provides hot showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities.
Picnicking - There are 70 picnic sites and 3 picnic shelters.
Shelters are reservable for a fee, and are available on a firstcome, first-served basis at other times. An enclosed group
shelter is available for rent and provides indoor seating for
90, a sink, oven, stove, BBQ pit and central heat and air
conditioning.
Hiking and Biking - The park offers 7 miles of hiking trails
and 5 miles of biking trails. Bikes are not allowed on
hiking trails on the south side of the river or around the
campground.
Horse Trails - More than 15 miles of trails are available for
horseback riding. The equestrian area is 1.25 miles north of
the covered bridge and includes a campground and rustic
log cabin “bunkhouse.” A central bathhouse is available for
these campers and cabin guests.
Fishing - Park waters are open for legal fishing throughout
the year. Persons age 16 or older must have a valid resident/
non-resident fishing license.
Boating - Mill Pond is open to both private canoes and
canoes rented from the park office.
Log Cabin - A rustic log cabin “bunkhouse” is also
available.
Nature Trail
The 2 miles of nature trails run along the south side of the
South Fork River and Big Clouds Creek. Portions of the trails
wander through the historical portions of the park along the old
powerhouse sluiceway, also know as a raceway. This man-made
waterway channel is about 300 yards long and runs from the
old dam just below the covered bridge to a second dam just
above the foundation of the old powerhouse. The powerhouse
generated electricity for a textile mill 10 miles away in Crawford,
GA, for nearly half a century, beginning in 1905. The overlook at
the head of this trail affords a view of the covered bridge and
shoals below. At this site, the original Watson’s Mill, gone by the
end of the 1800s, once sat. The rest of the trails beyond the old
powerhouse ruin meander through the woods along the ban
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2020 Guide to
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
High Falls
Table of Contents
Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14–15
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 11, 13
Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Chart of Accommodations & Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–7
2020 Guide to Georgia
State Parks & Historic Sites
Group Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
is published by:
Historic Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 42–45
Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division
Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2600 Hwy. 155 SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7286
State Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27–41
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