Spread over 1,050 acres of land and a 650-acre dam, High Falls State Park can be found close to the city of Jackson, Georgia. The park gets its name from its biggest attraction, the High Falls, which are fed by the mighty Towaliga River. Along with multi-tiered falls, the park also famous for its clear lake and big dam.
In the 19th century, the parcel of land that the park sits on used to be a thriving industrial hub with a cotton gin, blacksmith, grist mill, hotel, shoe factory, and several stores. Then the railroad was built and sidestepped them, resulting in the area becoming a ghost town.
Today, the park is a well-known camping destination and offers RV and tent sites with electric and water hookups, yurts, a primitive campsite, and a pioneer campsite. You can see the views of the stunning falls from the bridge in the park, but its nothing compared to hiking up to the falls. The Towaliga River winds through the park over rocks and huge boulders and is bordered by a shady forest area.
RVers visiting the park can enjoy geocaching, hiking, boating, swimming, and other fun outdoor activities. The park is open all year-round, and you can enjoy being out in nature whenever it suits you.
While you are in the area, why not stop at one of the oldest state parks in the country, Indian Springs State Park. You can enjoy paddling around the lake, hiking, and biking along nature trails, and visiting the small museum that retells the history of the park.
You'll find the High Falls State Park just off the I-75, approximately 9 miles from the city of Jackson. Just outside the park, you can find a gas station, dollar store, and a convenience store for anything you need at the drop of a hat.
RVers traveling along the I-75 to the park won't have to worry about obstacles or height restrictions and will have plenty of space to comfortably drive their rig. Once you turn off the I-75, the road narrows down to a single-lane road, with ample space and clearly painted lines. Along the short drive to the park, you'll also see a few gas stations where you can top off on fuel if you need.
Once inside the park, the roads remain paved with enough space to safely navigate your RV through the park. There may be some steep turns along the way to your campsite, but RVs should handle it with ease.
If you are staying for a couple of nights, its best to park your rig at your campsite before venturing out and exploring the rest of the park by foot or bike. If you are just visiting the park for the day, you'll find ample parking near the pool, just as you come into the park. The easiest thing to do is park your vehicle and continue on foot or bike.
An hour south of Atlanta, Forsyth, Georgia is surrounded by charming villages, splashing waterfalls, and scenic lakes and rivers teeming with catfish. Admire Macon’s Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring and visit the home of Southern rock music during your stay at the peaceful Forsyth KOA where big rigs can drive in and out of 100-foot pull-through sites with ease. Find a quiet full-hookup or water and electric site with tree shade, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and 50-amp service. Campground amenities include a snack bar, propane and firewood, bike rentals, a pool, and fishing lake.
The campsites are divided between two campgrounds, the Lake Campground and the River Camping Area. The Lake Campground has 23 sites with electrical and water hookups suitable for RVers and tent campers. Three of these sites are camp host sites and also have sewer hookups. All sites can accommodate rigs of up to 25 feet and are each equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. You will find communal restrooms with hot showers and flushing toilets in the center of the campground. The sites can sleep up to six people and are pet-friendly, so you are free to bring along your dogs on your RV trip away.
The remaining 89 RV and tent campsites with water and electric hookups can be found in the River Camping Area. They can accommodate bigger rigs up to 50 feet long and are mostly shaded with trees. Each site can sleep up to six people at a time, you can also bring along your dog, if you have one. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill. You will find a restroom with flushing toilets, hot showers, and a dump station a short distance away from your site. If you bring along an extra vehicle, just remember that each site is allowed to have a maximum of two vehicles at once.
Another option for rugged camping is the primitive camping site. It is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along. The primitive campsite can accommodate up to 25 people and two cars. This is a very primitive site and you will need to bring along your own water and supplies. You can find an outhouse a short distance away.
The state of Georgia is famous for having some of the best fishing opportunities for bass, trout, and bass in the United States. In fact, the biggest bass caught in the world was caught in Georgia. High Falls Lake is no exception and is known as one of the greatest fishing destinations for families in the Southeast.
When you visit the park, you can cast a line and try your hand at catching flathead catfish, crappie, and white and hybrid bass. This is the top place to catch white and hybrid bass in the state, and you are sure to catch something. The lake is open for fishing during daylight hours, and you can fish from the fishing docks, along the banks of the lake or river, on the lake, and even from your campsite along the river.
Geocaching is a fun way to enjoy nature, and exploring the outdoors is an activity suitable for the whole family. It is very similar to a treasure hunt, and all you will need is a GPS-capable device, a pen or pencil, and some trinkets or treasure that you can trade for the treasure in the cache. The object of geocaching is to locate different caches, take the hidden treasure and replace it with something of your own. It is important to remember to leave the caches exactly like you find them so that others can also enjoy finding it.
High Falls State Park also has a miniature golf course for visitors to enjoy. This is a great activity for the whole family to show who has the best hand-eye coordination skills. The use of the golf course is available for a small fee, which is well worth the fun and entertainment you'll get - not to mention the laughs and memories. Remember to abide by the rules that the miniature golf course has put in place and have fun!
If you are looking for a more rugged experience, you can try the pioneer camping site. To camp at the pioneer camping site, you will need a group of at least 10 people. The site can accommodate a group of up to 45 people and is dog-friendly. While the site has electricity and water available, it does not have a toilet or showers.
If you don't bring along your RV and don't like tent camping, you can rent one of the six yurts the park has to offer. These have a dome shape and are located on the lake in a shaded area. They are fitted with electricity, heating, ceiling fans, and linens, blankets, and utensils for six. The yurt can sleep six and is furnished accordingly. You will find a picnic table, fire ring, and grill outside for your use. A restroom with hot showers and flushing toilets can be found close by. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in or around the structures.
Hikers are sure to enjoy visiting this state park with over four miles of trails to explore. Two of the most popular trails are the 1.1-mile High Falls Trail and the 2.3-mile Historic and Tranquil Trail Loop. The High Falls Trail is relatively easy and will reward you with gorgeous views of the cascading High Falls and its rocky river. On the Historic and Tranquil Trail Loop you will stroll through scenic lush, green forests. You are also welcome to bring along your dog, but make sure to keep them on a leash at all times. If you would like a map, you can collect one at the park office.
Enjoy cooling off in the pool at the park after a hike. The pool usually opens in May and stays open for the summer months until September. After you've had a swim, you can enjoy some snacks or a picnic at the nearby picnic shelters, and there is also a playground for the children to have fun on. Unfortunately, swimming is not permitted in the river or at the falls for your safety.
If you own a boat, make sure to bring it along on your motorhome trip to High Falls State Park. The park has a horsepower limit of 10, so as long as your boat limit is under that you can bring it along. High Falls Lake covers 650 acres, offering lots of room to ride along and enjoy being out in the sun. You will find two boat ramps located in the park for you to get your boat in the water, and several docks for you to moor your boats to while you stay at the park. Some of these are for public use, while others are specifically for campers. If you don't have your own boat, you can always rent a jon boat from the park.
If you have a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, make sure to bring it along as well. The park also rents out aqua cycles, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards in case you don't bring one in your camping trailer. Water skiing and sailing are other popular activities you can enjoy on the lake.
