Oconee State Park is a 100-year-old forest located a mile away from The University of Georgia’s main campus. The area features numerous walking trails and is home to the largest scarlet oak tree in Georgia. The trails are great for hiking, running, or dog-walking, but dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Signs along the walking trails include information about the surrounding tree species. When scanned with a phone camera, QR codes on the signs take you to a website called “Virtual Lake Herrick” which gives more information about the flora and fauna in the area. A 15-acre lake situated within Oconee Forest was named Lake Herrick after the University of Georgia’s former dean, Allyn M. Herrick. Tables featuring solar-powered charging stations scatter the pavilion overlooking the lake.
Picnic tables are located throughout the grassy hills behind the pavilion area. Visitors can bring a non-motorized boat to the lake or rent one from the Outdoor Recreation Center. Other popular activities such as fishing and birdwatching make Lake Herrick a relaxing getaway for UGA students as well as members of the Athens community
HOURS: 24 hours
ADMISSION: Free
PHONE: (706) 542-4287
ADDRESS: College Station & Alumni Drive, Athens, GA, 30606
AMENITIES:
Fishing
Boating
Paddling
Hiking
PET FRIENDLINESS: Leashed pets allowed
ACCESSIBILITY: A wide concrete sidewalk leads from the parking lot to the pavilion area, but the walking trails are unpaved and steep at times. Walking trails are not well-marked and visitors may easily get lost. A ramp is located off the pavilion that leads to the path around the lake, but the path itself is narrow and made of gravel. Free, accessible parking is available.
Source: https://www.warnell.uga.edu/oconee-forest-park
Get Directions: https://www.warnell.uga.edu/directions-and-maps
