Hike Location: Indian Springs State Park
Geographic Location: south of Jackson, GA (33.24757, -83.92199)
Length: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: February 2020
Overview: A short but occasionally steep loop featuring a
CCC-built stone spring house.
Park Information: https://gastateparks.org/IndianSprings
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=941368
Photo Highlight:
Directions to the trailhead: Between Atlanta and
Macon, take I-75 to SR 42 (exit 188).
Exit and go north on SR 42. Drive
SR 42 north 14.7 miles to the signed state park entrance on the left. Turn left
to enter the park, pay the $5 entrance fee, and park in the perpendicular
parking for the Spring Picnic Area on the right a few hundred feet inside the
gatehouse.
The hike: Established in 1927, Indian Springs State
Park is the oldest state park in Georgia, but the springs’ fame and
significance date back much further.
Before white settlement, the Creek people came here seeking healing and
refreshment from the springs’ mineral-laced sulphur-smelling waters. In 1821, the State of Georgia and the Creek
Nation signed the First Treaty of Indian Springs here. In that treaty, the Creeks ceded thousands of
acres of land to the state, including these springs.
The
construction of railroads brought visitors from all over the country, and from
the mid-1800’s to the early 1900’s a cluster of resort hotels operated near the
springs. By the 1920’s, most of these
hotels had burned down or fallen into disrepair. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 459
came here in the 1930’s and built the stone structures visitors use today. These structures include the impressive
spring house where visitors still collect water-cooler-sized jugs of the springs’
water.
In terms of
amenities, the 528 acre park features some picnic shelters, a 62-site
campground, 10 cottages, a museum, and 2 trails totaling 4 miles. Just over three miles of the park’s trails are
a multi-use trail that connects the park to nearby Dauset Trails Nature Center. This hike
features the park’s other trail, the Overland Nature Trail, and it includes a
quick side trip to the park’s famous CCC-built spring house.
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| Trailhead: Overland Nature Trail |
The signed
trailhead for the Overland Nature Trail is located beside the park road at the
west end of the Spring Picnic Area. The
rooty dirt trail heads uphill on a moderate grade through mixed Piedmont forest
that contains some nice beech trees. The
trail had been cleared of leaf litter on my visit, so all obstacles in the
treadway were easily visible. Where a
spur trail exits left to continue following the park road, angle right to
continue climbing on the moderate grade.
Soon the
top of the ridge comes into view, and after a brief flat area the trail
descends into a tight ravine on a rather steep grade using one switchback. When you reach the small creek at the bottom
of the ravine, the Nature Trail’s short loop exits right. Turn left to hike the longer loop.
 |
| Hiking along the ridge |
The trail
climbs moderately to once again approach the top of the ridge. The difference between maximum and minimum
elevations on this hike is only about 60 feet, but some sections of trail are
rather steep. A gradual to moderate
descent brings you to the bank of Aboothlacoosta Creek at 0.5 miles. An obvious path leads left onto private
property, but the official trail turns right to begin following the creek
south.
 |
| Hiking along the creek |
The remainder
of the Overland Nature Trail stays within 100 feet of Aboothlacoosta Creek, but
a couple of steep areas will still need to be negotiated. The clear-flowing and sandy-bottomed creek
makes a very pleasant companion. After
walking over an unexpected rock outcrop, a flat walk returns you to the Spring
Picnic Area.
 |
| Rock outcrop on the trail |
|
| CCC-built spring house |
To see the
springs that made this area famous, angle left to cross the park road, and then
walk behind the Stone Pavilion to find the spring house. These impressive stone structures were built
by the CCC, and park staffers still help visitors collect water at the
spring. Some stone steps beyond the
spring house lead uphill to a museum that is open from 2-4pm the first Saturday
of each month. See how much history you
can see to conclude your visit to Indian Springs State Park.
