Hiking - 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

Hiking - Stephen C. Foster State Park

Come and enjoy the swamp on foot by exploring our nature trails. Whether it be dawn, midday, or dusk, no one hike will ever be the same. The park has 2 miles of paved road and 2 miles of off-road trails. We are in a swamp where the water table is high so conditions may generally be assumed to be damp. Hiking / waterproof boots recommended.

Trembling Earth Trail (0.7 miles)
Located at the rear of our boat basin near the trading post, this trail loop includes a long stretch of elevated boardwalk and is ideal for viewing the swamp’s interior.

Jones Island Trail (0.85 miles)
Beginning from just right of the park gate, this trail curves along the backside of the camping loops and ends near the trading post parking lot.

Upland Pine Trail (1.1 miles)
This trail covering the western side of the park can be accessed at several points along Highway 177.

Suwannee River Sill (3-4 miles)
Guests can drive 5.5 miles south from the park on Ga Highway 177 to visit this 5-mile-long Earthen dam. After a series of wildfires in the 1950s, the Sill was built in 1960 to maintain the water levels of the swamp. The first 1.5 mile stretch of the Sill is paved and leads to a bridge /spillway where the water empties from the swamp into the main channel head of the Suwanee River. The sill can be explored on foot for a few miles beyond the bridge. Visitors are encouraged to walk along the center of the crest of the earthen dam to avoid being too close to the edge of the water.