Relaxation and Family Fun at Hard Labor Creek State Park: Rutledge, Social Circle, and Madison

Georgia has fantastic state parks, 63 of them to be exact. Each park has unique characteristics and history that makes it special. Recently we camped at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, Georgia. For those who are not familiar with the charming town of Rutledge, it is on I-20 eastbound, approximately 50 miles from Atlanta. I have always wanted to visit Hard Labor Creek, if for nothing more than to check out a park with such a cool name. I had no clue about the great programs and amenities that the park has to offer.

Hard Labor Creek State Park

Hard Labor is the second largest state park in Georgia with over 5,800 acres. Founded in 1934 and built by Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, the park is a great place for family fun and relaxation. The origins of the name Hard Labor Creek are unknown. It was either coined by slaves who worked the land in the area or the Native Americans who had difficulty crossing back and forth across the creek.

The amenities at Hard Labor are plentiful. If you are interested in staying a few days, both cottages and campsites are available at the park.

Twenty cottages are available to rent, each nestled within the forest. The front porches on the cottages are beautiful.

The campground is large with over 50 sites for both tents and campers. The sites are some of the longest we have ever seen and they are equipped with water, cable, and electricity.

Fun at Hard Labor Creek

I was so impressed with the park. We received an email a few days before our trip detailing activities that were planned for the weekend we were visiting. One activity that we participated in thanks to the email was a meteor shower party.

The meteor shower party was held at the beach area within the park. Whether you brought your own telescope or enjoyed the high powered machines from volunteers who brought theirs, everyone had an opportunity to experience gazing beyond the sky. All who attended were able to view Saturn, Jupiter, and the moon, up close and personal.

For those who have telescopes, the beach area is a perfect place to set up and see the stars and planets on a hot summer night. Kona Ice and other concessions were served, and there were activities for everyone. We also enjoyed using the Skyview app to locate stars, planets, and constellations with our friends, Mitch and Lora. If you have never tried the app, give it shot, it is awesome!

The beach is also available for day use. It is large and clean. I am not always one to swim in water where I can’t see my feet, but we visited during the middle of a heatwave and I could not wait to take a dip in the lake.

Golf is a significant attraction at Hard Labor. Across the street from our campsite was a group of ladies who would sit in the shade and chat each day, while the husbands headed to the course. The Creek at Hard Labor has 18 holes of well-manicured fairways and greens. A driving range is also available.

Maybe you are not into the 18-holes of golf? Don’t worry, a putt-putt course, geocaching, and 24 miles of trails are available for discovery. The park is also a great place to have family reunions, showers, or even a wedding, like the one taking place on the Saturday we were visiting.

The area around Hard Labor is full of equestrian farms. It makes complete sense that Hard Labor also has equestrian camping. You can bring your camper and your horses on vacation to one of the eleven horse campsites. Thirty stables and riding trails are also available.   

While camping at the park, a new movie, Fear Street, was being filmed. Fear Street is just one of many movies that have been shot on park grounds.

Quite a few charming towns surround Hard Labor. Rutledge, Social Circle, and Madison are definitely worth visiting.

Rutledge

We drove over to Rutledge on the evening that we arrived at Hard Labor. The town is so charming.

They had live music at the City Park Gazebo. It was nice to watch the locals come together and enjoy a lovely summer evening.

We ate at Yesterday’s Café. The café had delicious dinner options, and we all found ourselves complementing our meals, including Jackson, our pickiest of eaters.

I opted for the medium cut of prime rib, and it was cooked to perfection. I can’t imagine what the large cut of prime rib looked like when the medium was this big.

The live music inside the café was fantastic. We sang along to classic tunes while enjoying our fresh bread, vegetables, and great meats.  

Social Circle

Social Circle is a nearby town with great shops and friendly citizens. How the town received its unusual name is a local legend. It is said that Social Circle was named after a group of gentlemen sitting in a circle. A stranger addressed the group and complimented them on their hospitality, telling the men that it was “surely a social circle.”

While in Social Circle, drop by the local doll shop, Dolls and Stuff.

Ms. Kitchens, the owner, is the absolute nicest lady. We had the best time looking at her dolls and the vast collection of antique glassware while in the store.

If you are a lover of Fenton Glass, definitely stop by, you will not be disappointed.  

While in town, stop in for lunch at the Blue Willow Inn. The buffet-style southern cuisine will melt in your mouth.

Everyone in our lunch party who tasted the fried tilapia commented on how amazing it was. The fried green tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and biscuits were delicious too. I would be remiss not to mention the chocolate icing that topped the cake; it was some of the best you will find.  

Madison

Madison has some of the most beautiful and well-preserved antebellum homes in the state.

When a great deal of Georgia was burned along Sherman’s March to the Sea during the American Civil War, General Sherman spared the town of Madison.

The town was home to a pro-Union congressman, Joshua Hill, who repeatedly begged Sherman not to burn his town. Sherman obliged, and the town was spared from a fiery demise (Housing Photo Credit: Madison Main Street)

Our favorite stop in Madison was Antiques Sweets.

The candy was delicious, and they have unbelievable homemade ice cream. Antique Sweets folds their freshly made chocolates and pralines into the ice cream. It was worth the trip to Madison for the ice cream alone!

Although we were only in the area for a weekend, there was plenty to keep us entertained. We also know that there is more to discover, so a return trip is warranted. If you are looking for a weekend getaway, Hard Labor Creek and the surrounding towns are definitely a great option.

What is your favorite aspect of visiting small towns? We would love to hear from you. Please drop us a line in the comment section below!

Interested in other Georgia State Parks? Check out Fort Yargo and High Falls!

Brandi Green

Brandi and her family love to travel throughout the United States. Brandi is an educator who believes that the best education is through experience. When not at school, you can find Brandi experimenting with new recipes, planning new family adventures, and finding ways to live life well! "This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118: 24

2 thoughts on “Relaxation and Family Fun at Hard Labor Creek State Park: Rutledge, Social Circle, and Madison

  1. My 2 favorite things are they bring out telescopes (so I don’t have to travel with mine) for the meteor showers. Love watching the night sky. And 2 – you can bring your horse! How cool is that? My girls and I ride but we don’t have our own horse. I really can’t take on another fur baby but it would be so cool if we did have our own horse!

    1. I agree completely! The telescopes that the volunteers had were unbelievable! I can’t get over the equestrian area. It would be so neat to camp with your horses!

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