Smithgall Woods State Park
5,844 acres of quiet forest, a trout creek and old gold-mining ground, 10 minutes from downtown Helen
The short answer
5,844
$10
~10 min
6
If Helen's main drag wears you out, Smithgall Woods State Park is where you go to hear a creek instead of a crowd. The park's 5,844 acres sit on land that was torn up by hydraulic gold mining in the 1800s and has since grown back. The state acquired it in 1994 as a gift-purchase from Charles A. Smithgall Jr., and it's been a quiet corner of the mountains ever since.
It's a place for short walks, fly rods and a slow morning, not for thrill rides. The park counts 28 miles of trails and roads, with six marked trails that run from a 0.3-mile stroll to a rugged creek-fording hike. Dukes Creek is the draw for anglers, and six cottages let you stay on the grounds.
Hours, fees and rules
Checked with Georgia State Parks, October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Park hours | 7 AM to dark, daily. The office is open 8 AM to 5 PM. |
| Closed | Thanksgiving and Christmas |
| Parking | Georgia ParkPass: $10 per vehicle per day (good at every state park that day) or $70 for a year |
| Registration | Every visitor has to register at the visitor center, so stop there first |
| Trout fishing | Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, October through May, reservations only |
| Fishing reservations | 800-864-7275 (Mon-Fri 8 AM to 8 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM to 5 PM) or the visitor center at 706-878-3087 |
| Cottage guests | Overnight cottage guests can fish year-round; day visitors can't fish June through September |
Questions: 706-878-3087. The park holds hunts in season, so check the hunting schedule on the Smithgall Woods page before you go. The Laurel Ridge Trail stays open for hiking even during hunts.
Trout fishing on Dukes Creek
Catch-and-release, by reservation
Anglers are the people most likely to know this park. Trout fishing on Dukes Creek is open to day visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May, and you have to reserve. It's catch-and-release only, with artificial bait and barbless hooks. From June through September there's no day-use fishing, though overnight cottage guests can fish year-round.
Reserve a spot
Call 800-864-7275. Phones are staffed Monday to Friday 8 AM to 8 PM and weekends 9 AM to 5 PM.
Ask about the details
The visitor center at 706-878-3087 can answer questions on fishing fees and license rules. For tactics and flies, see our Dukes Creek fly-fishing guide.
Trails
Six marked trails from a stroll to a rugged hike
Start at the visitor center, where the Laurel Ridge Trail begins. It's a 1.6-mile loop that climbs to a ridge with Mount Yonah views. Martin's Mine takes you to an old gold-mining site, and the Georgia gold rush story is the background.
| Trail | Length | Level | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center Loop | 0.3 mile | Easy | Crosses a small tributary of Dukes Creek; swings, picnic tables and Florida torreya trees |
| Wetland Loop | 0.55 mile loop | Easy | Passes a beaver pond, with a boardwalk and a deck for watching birds and frogs |
| Martin's Mine Trail | 0.9 mile loop | Moderate | A historic gold-mining site, with a vertical shaft that bats use; short waterfall extension. Starts 2.1 miles from the visitor center on a road closed to cars |
| Cathy Ellis Trail | 0.5 mile one way | Moderate | Leads to Chunanee Falls on the Alabama Branch and crosses an old gold-mining water ditch |
| Laurel Ridge Trail | 1.6 mile loop | Moderate | Climbs from the visitor center to a ridge with seasonal views of Mount Yonah; free brochure |
| Ash Creek Trail | 1.5 miles one way | Rugged | Fords a creek near the north end; start at the covered bridge to skip the crossing |
Lengths come from the park's trail page. A one-mile trail connects the cottages to Dukes Creek Falls; see the Dukes Creek Falls Trail.
Staying overnight
The park rents six cottages with 17 bedrooms in all: Creekside, Smithgall, Dover, Parkside, Garden and Laurel. Amenities include TVs, and some have stream porches or private hot tubs. Details and booking are on the park's cottage page. The Pioneer Campground is for youth and conservation groups only.
Photo Gallery
Creeks, trails and woods in the Helen area
Dukes Creek, the park's trout stream
Cold, clear mountain water
White-tailed deer are common in the north Georgia mountains
Trails wind through the forest
Rhododendron blooms along mountain creeks in late spring
Late light over the Blue Ridge
Getting there
The park is at 61 Tsalaki Trail, about 10 minutes from downtown Helen by car. Park and register at the visitor center, where the trail maps and the Laurel Ridge brochure are. In fall, pair it with our fall color guide; for another state park nearby, see Unicoi State Park.
Smithgall Woods questions
How much does it cost to visit Smithgall Woods?
Parking requires a Georgia ParkPass: $10 per vehicle per day, or $70 for an annual pass. Overnight cottage guests pay the daily fee once per stay. Everyone has to register at the visitor center.
When can you fish at Smithgall Woods?
Day visitors can fish for trout on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May, by reservation only. Fishing is catch-and-release with artificial bait and barbless hooks. There's no day-use fishing from June through September, though overnight cottage guests can fish year-round.
How do I reserve a fishing spot?
Call 800-864-7275 (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 8 PM, weekends 9 AM to 5 PM) or the visitor center at 706-878-3087.
Are there cottages at Smithgall Woods?
Yes. The park has six cottages with 17 bedrooms in all: Creekside, Smithgall, Dover, Parkside, Garden and Laurel. Some have stream porches or private hot tubs. Book through Georgia State Parks.
How far is Smithgall Woods from Helen?
About 10 minutes by car from downtown. The address is 61 Tsalaki Trail.
Is Smithgall Woods the same as Dukes Creek Falls?
No. The Forest Service runs the Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area separately ($4 per vehicle), on Highway 348. A one-mile trail does connect the Smithgall Woods cottages to the falls.
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