Astronomy - Stephen C. Foster State Park | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Welcome to Idlewilde Event Center at Indian Springs State Park

Conveniently located near I-75 in middle Georgia, Indian Springs is one of the oldest state parks in the United States and a popular spot for outdoor recreation.

Idlewilde Event Center at Indian Springs State Park is available for reservations. The name is derived from the majestic house on the property that serves as the park office and visitor center; and is on the National Historic Register. With another nod to past, the individual rooms in the center are even named after the historic hotels that once thrived in the village of Indian Springs. Idlewilde has 20,000 square feet of event space including a massive lake side porch with beautiful views of the water. With a capacity of 500 people, Idlewilde can accommodate a variety of events, from birthday parties and family reunions, to weddings and corporate retreats. Additional features include a catering kitchen and audio visual capabilities in every room.

For inquiries or to join the Idlewilde Event Center waiting list, please contact us on 470-707-8071.

Operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Available event hours: 8:00AM – 10:00PM

Total footprint 19,557 square feet

Opened September 2018

Astronomy - Stephen C. Foster State Park

Stephen C. Foster State Park is a certified dark sky park by the International Dark Sky Association. Located in the middle of the Okefenokee Swamp, with minimal light pollution, guests can experience some of the darkest skies in the southeast. Stand beneath a sky full of stars and see the Milky Way during late summer stretched out above you while watching for the occasional meteor streaking across the night sky.

For info on upcoming astronomy programs, please check the events page.

Depending on staff availability, 1-hour astronomy programs can be arranged for large groups (25+) for a fee.

Visitors wishing to observe a dark sky will benefit from researching the weather, the moon cycle, and astronomical events when planning a visit. Here are some tips and useful links:

Artificial light is a safety hazard for people, disturbs wildlife, and limits visibility of the stars. Using red head lamps and only dim lights when driving slowly through the park will help create the best possible Dark Sky experience
Bring insect repellant and wear long sleeves / pants
If you don’t have a telescope, good binoculars will still allow you to view some galaxies and nebulae
Download a stargazing app on your phone (Sky Portal, Sky Guide, Sky Safari)
Or if you like something manual, print this star chart
Check the moon cycle
Check for other major astronomical events
Check the local weather forecast

For inquiries about our dark sky programming, please call us at 912-637-5274.