High Falls State Park

Dates: 04/22/2012 - 04/24/2012
Campground: High Falls State Park- Jackson, GA - Site 112
Pictures: http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/squirellman/library/High%20Falls%20State%20Park

- Base Camp (site details)With so many sites it would be expected that each site would be small, not in this case. The campground itself is very large with multiple loops. Site 112 is across the street from the lake. There are also very nice sites directly on the lake, but these are very popular. This State Park is not what you would expect to find a few miles south of Atlanta, but after stopping here on our way back from a Florida beach we put it on our list of places to see. A few years later we attended a wedding at the park giving us an opportunity to explore more thoroughly. The sites here do have water and electrical hook ups which normally attracts very large campers, but even with the large sites the parking areas are not designed for large vehicles of any kind. This limits the large RVs to sites further from the lake. This may be a good time to also mention that there are two actual campgrounds here. The larger campground with much more shade is on the riverside of the park. The two sides are divided by a busy highway that passes over the river just below the dam. I would recommend picking the side that fits your needs better. I will get into attractions later, but there are two pretty distinct sides of the park. The foliage in the lake area is mostly the pine you would expect to see in central Georgia. The riverside of the park has much thicker forests with large deciduous trees.

- Campground rules (Nazi's to Trashy)
Like many Georgia State Parks this campground is in a good medium of regulation. There are rules to protect the safety of the tenants, but still allow recreation. You can bring your own private boat on the lake, fish within the park, and have dogs. The only rule that seems restrict activities is the fence surrounding the tailwater area of the dam. There are many large flat rocks that are begging to be hopped and explored. I would understand the lack of access if the dam was hydroelectric with large intermittent water releases, or a flash flood prone high elevation lake... but this is a small over spill dam with very low tailwater flow.

- The hood (what kind of people camp here)
With such a prime location close to Atlanta and Macon this park is often full of families. There were a few groups of guys camping that were visiting to fish in High Falls Lake, but for the most part there were numerous groups of kids playing and parents lounging. With great early spring weather in central Georgia tents abound, but I can imagine that in the heat of the summer the park will feature more RVs with air conditioners running all day.

- Sawyer Factor (what will you kids do)
One reason I love State Parks is the wide demographic they are built to include. In this case there is a decent playground and large flat areas to play. The hiking trails have fences to help keep kids on the trails and away from the drop offs. The trails to the waterfall area are also quite easy with a kid in tote.

- Bathhouses
I have to take part of this section to praise the campground host. The hosts in these parks often cleans the bathrooms, and this one went above and beyond. The bathrooms were clean and he even put silk flowers in the sink area for a home like touch. Beyond that bathrooms the host was very nice driving around on his golf cart delivering firewood, ice, and answering any questions with his little dog in tow. Back to the bathhouses... they are for the most part a little aged, but very clean and well kept.

- No car attractions
As you can tell by reading my other entries, we much prefer to put Sawyer in his baby hiking backpack and hit the trail rather than getting in and out of a car over and over. In this case we were able to do most of what the park had to offer without ever starting the truck. This included the playground, pavilion area, Dam area, Falls Area, River trail, and although it required a walk off the trail we were able to even walk to the wedding at the park conference facility.

- Area attractions
Although the park is close enough to Atlanta to take a drive to Stone Mountain, or any Atlanta area attraction, the immediate area has very little in the way of attractions. The park sales firewood and ice, and if you find yourself a meal short there is a small restaurant that stayed busy the whole time we were there approximately 1 mile from the park entrance.

- Fees
Like many state parks the fees are minimal. The camp site was $20/night and there is a one time $5 parking fee. Ice and wood were priced at a market average which is great considering the lack of area options.

- Ownership
The park is owned in its entirety by The State of Georgia DNR. Website: http://www.gastateparks.org/HighFalls?c=4347203&eventid=203611&p=31

- Accommodation/reservations
Like all other Georgia state parks campsites can be reserved months in advance. The reservation does not guarantee a specific site, but rather that you will have a site upon arrival... the earlier you arrive the better site you will likely receive. Although we are avid tent campers its also worth mentioning that the park has recently added yurts. We have never stayed in a yurt, but these looked very nice... almost cabin like.