Parks around Plains

Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia, that revolves around farming, church and school, had a large influence in molding the character and in shaping the political policies of the 39th President of the United States.

The Camp Sumter military prison at Andersonville was one of the largest Confederate military prisons during the Civil War. During the 14 months the prison existed, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were confined here. Of these, almost 13,000 died here. Today, Andersonville National Historic Site is a memorial to all American prisoners of war throughout the nation's history.

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964, on the Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers (COE). The reservoir resulted from impoundment of the Chattahoochee River between Alabama and Georgia. The Refuge, lying on the upper reaches of the reservoir, consists of 11,184 acres. There are 7,953 acres in Barbour and Russell Counties, Alabama...

There are 13 Corps of Engineers day use parks and 4 campgrounds on Walter F. George Lake, a great place to camp, fish, boat and picnic. Enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and the Chattahoochee River, as well as the gracious antebellum mansions located in nearby historic towns, such as Eufaula, Alabama and Cuthbert, Georgia. The lake, sometimes referred to as Lake Eufaula, extends 85 miles along ...

Bond Swamp NWR, located 6 miles south of Macon, was established in 1989 to protect, maintain and enhance the forested wetland ecosystem of the Ocmulgee River floodplain. It opened to the public in 2000 and currently consists of 6,500 acres situated along the fall line separating the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. The refuge has a diversity of vegetation communities, including mixed hardwood-pine,...

Lake George W. Andrews is named for George William Andrews, who was born in Clayton, Alabama in 1906 and served as a United States Representative from 1944 until his death in 1971. The project was originally named the Columbia Lock and Dam and was renamed for Congressman Andrews in 1972. Lake George W. Andrews day use parks include: Abbie Creek Park and West Bank Park located on the Alabama side...

Welcome to Ocmulgee National Monument this park is a memorial to the relationship of people and natural resources. Native Americans first came here during the Paleo-Indian period hunting Ice Age mammals. Different cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. The Mississippian culture arrived here around 900 constructing mounds for their elite. Today the mounds still remain for all to see.

Fishing is probably the most popular activity on West Point Lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek Park, Rocky Point Park, and McGee Bridge ...

Before the first African American military pilots became known as the "Red Tails" they wore striped tails as they began their flight training in the Army's PT-17 Stearman bi-plane. Their flying adventure started at Moton Field, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where the Army Air Corps began a military "experiment" to see if Negroes could be trained to fly combat aircraft. Come--share their adventure!!

In 1881, Booker T. Washington arrived in Alabama and started building Tuskegee Institute both in reputation and literally brick by brick. He recruited the best and the brightest to come and teach here including George Washington Carver who arrived in 1896. Carver's innovations in agriculture, especially with peanuts, expanded Tuskegee's standing throughout the country. The story continues....

Piedmont NWR is primarily an upland forest dominated by loblolly pine on the ridges with hardwoods found along the creek bottoms and in scattered upland coves. Clear streams and beaver ponds provide ideal wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland dependent species. Today the forest and native wildlife populations have been restored from what was originally abandoned farm land. The refuge ser...

The Big Frog Wilderness now contains a total of 8,082 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. Georgia contains approximately 89 acres. Tennessee contains approximately 7,993 acres. In 1984 the Big Frog Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities ...

The Ellicott Rock Wilderness now contains a total of 8,274 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. Georgia contains approximately 2,021 acres. North Carolina contains approximately 3,394 acres. South Carolina contains approximately 2,859 acres. In 1975 the Ellicott Rock Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy...

The Southern Nantahala Wilderness now contains a total of 23,473 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. Georgia contains approximately 11,770 acres. North Carolina contains approximately 11,703 acres. In 1984 the Southern Nantahala Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities a...

As the name implies, the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway provides a chance to experience the varied terrain of northwest Georgia. Mountain overlooks and fertile farmlands can be found along the 51-mile byway as it travels U.S. 27, State Highways 156 and 136, and rural county roads. Outdoor activities ranging from hiking, camping, and picnicking to fishing and hunting can be enjoyed at the Keown Fa...

Surrounded by the beauty of the Chattahoochee National Forest, the byway winds through the valleys and mountain gaps of the southern Appalachians. From the vistas atop Brasstown Bald to the cooling mists of waterfalls, scenic wonders fill this region. Hike the Appalachian Trail or fish in a cool mountain stream.

The Lake Seminole project, originally authorized as the Jim Woodruff Lock & Dam Project by the River and Harbor Act of 1946, was the first of three locks and dams constructed for navigation, hydro-power, recreation and related use purposes on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River systems. Construction of this muti-purpose project began in 1947 and was completed in 1957. Lake Seminole b...

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in Lanier County, near Lakeland, GA, as part of a much larger blackwater system. The refuge was established in 1985 for the protection and conservation of this unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife. Banks Lake is natural pocosin or sink of ancient geologic origin. The refuge contains a variety of habitat types incl...

On 27 March 1814, Major General Andrew Jackson 's army of 3,300 men attacked Chief Menawa's 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. Over 800 Red Sticks died that day. The battle ended the Creek War, resulted in a land cession of 23,000,000 acres to the United States and created a national hero of Andrew Jackson.

Genealogy Research The Atlanta facility has extensive microfilm holdings of value for genealogy research, among them: Federal population censuses for all States, 1790-1930; indexes for the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses (indexes are not available for all census years and all states); selected military service records and indexes; selected pension and bounty-land warrant applicati...

A young boy grows up in a time of segregation...A dreamer is moved by destiny into leadership of the modern civil rights movement...This was Martin Luther King, Jr. Come hear his story, visit the home of his birth, and where he played as a child. Walk in his footsteps, and hear his voice in the church where he moved hearts and minds. Marvel at how he was an instrument for social change.

The Bradwell Bay Wilderness now contains a total of 24,602 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Florida. In 1975 the Bradwell Bay Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...

The Cheaha Wilderness now contains a total of 7,245 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Alabama. In 1983 the Cheaha Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...increasing...

On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which extended equal voting rights for African-Americans. As both White and Black non-violent supporters led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama, today, you can trace their march toward freedom on the 54-mile trail and connect with their stories at the Interpretive Centers.

The St. Marks Wilderness now contains a total of 17,350 acres and is managed by the Fish & Wildlife Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Florida. In 1975 the St. Marks Wilderness became part of the now over 110 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age o...