Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) Vickery Creek Unit
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Owned and operated by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Sweetwater Creek State Park, located in Lithia Springs—just west of Atlanta, off US-20—offers scenic access to Sweetwater Creek—a tributary of the Chattahoochee River—and George H. Sparks Reservoir. This haven is part of the Chattahoochee RiverLands vision and provides a key destination for paddling, hiking, and camping along the region’s green-blue network. Highlights include historic mill ruins, shaded trails along the creek, and a visitor center with interpretive exhibits. The park features ADA-accessible amenities, including trails, restrooms, yurts and picnic pavilions, enhancing outdoor access for all.
Sweetwater Creek State Park offers a rich natural and historical setting in the Atlanta metro area. Visitors can explore the Civil War-era New Manchester Manufacturing Company ruins, hike along scenic creekside trails, and fish or paddle on the 215-acre reservoir. Nearby, the towns of Lithia Springs and Douglasville offer dining and shopping options. Ongoing enhancements are operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and local conservation partners to expand access and preserve the park’s unique ecology and history.
The park is also a key stop on the Douglas County Film Trail, featuring the iconic ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, which served as a backdrop in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and other productions like Avengers: Infinity War and Killing Season. Visitors can explore over 15 miles of trails, including the Red Trail, which leads to the mill ruins, the White Trail, which offers more challenging terrain through the park’s remote areas, and the Purple/Film Trail.
Sweetwater Creek State Park is located on land that was once part of the mill village of New Manchester, a thriving 19th-century industrial town centered around the New Manchester Manufacturing Company. Built in the 1840s along Sweetwater Creek, the large brick textile mill was powered by the rushing waters of the creek and produced cloth from locally grown cotton. During the Civil War, in July 1864, Union troops under General William T. Sherman occupied the area, burned the mill, and arrested the workers—mostly women and children—who were then sent north as prisoners of war.
Following the destruction of the mill and the collapse of the town, the area was gradually reclaimed by nature. Today, the ruins of the New Manchester mill remain a centerpiece of the park, offering a window into Georgia’s industrial and wartime past. Interpretive signage and guided tours help preserve the story of this once-bustling community and its role in the broader history of the region.
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation
Parks & Recreation