4 Notes on Visiting Seminole State Park
I was able to visit Seminole State Park in the very southwestern corner of Georgia. The Park was very different than the the others I’ve been to, but it’s still an interesting, worthwhile Park.
Protects a Swathe of Longleaf Pine
The Longleaf Pine Forest is one of North America’s most endangered ecosystems, due almost entirely to human development. Longleaf Pine Forests are so odd and different. They are the only landscape east of the Mississippi that give off that “big sky” feel that you get in ecosystems out West. Also, I love all pine trees, but Longleafs really are just more majestic than any other species.
The State Park has more than 1500 acres, with almost all of it protecting the Forest. All their hiking trails go through the ecosystem (which also makes the hikes quite hot and buggy really anytime of year).
Lake Seminole Is Much Larger & Popular Than I Expected
Lake Seminole is an Army Corps of Engineer reservoir created by damming the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. The lake is *huge* and very popular, especially considering how far it is from major population centers. I didn’t catch anything, but apparently the fishing is world class. The entire lake is fairly shallow and full of snags and flooded forests, so Bass just love it.
Seminole State Park is located on a quiet cove where you can boat and swim away from all the motorboat traffic (including some that comes down the Flint from Albany).
The Area Is Both More Rural and More Developed Than Expected
The Park is a long drive from any city (Bainbridge is about 45 minutes). There are farms, tree plantations, and Wildlife Management Areas surrounding the Park. It’s out there. Except that…there are a *lot* of subdivisions all around the Lake and down random roads.
The best that I could piece together is that the area around Lake Seminole is like a very affordable, slightly less hurricane prone version of retiring to Florida.
Land in that part of Georgia is cheap. You can build a home or place a modular home there very affordably. The cost of living in Bainbridge is very low, and has enough services (like medical, etc). The area literally has some of the best fishing in the world. It has very mild winters. It’s low density with no traffic. And it’s a day trip to the beach.
I’m pretty sure it’s like a retirement hidden gem for folks from up North who want a Florida retirement…but without the cost and hassle. Either way, all the people living near the Park means that there is a few retail & restaurants nearby.
The Cabins & Campground Is Very Chill & Quiet
When we were there, they were preparing plans to renovate the campground. And they were repairing some hurricane damage. But overall, the Park is so chill and quiet. It’s a lovely stop on the way to / from Florida.
The Park’s amenities (notably the beach and putt-putt) could use a facelift and a bit of money. But the cabins were all in good shape. The trails well marked. And the rest of the Park in line to get a little love in the years to come. They just need more visitors to stop in to justify the spend. So if you are in Southwest Georgia, plan a route that goes by the Park.
