Smithgall Woods State Park

5,844 acres of recovered forest, a quiet trout creek, and trails that feel a long way from Main Street

By The Explore Helen Editorial Team Updated October 8, 2026 Hours, fees and rules checked with Georgia State Parks

The short answer

Smithgall Woods is a 5,844-acre state park about 10 minutes from downtown Helen, known for quiet trails and reservation-only trout fishing on Dukes Creek. It's open from 7 AM to dark, parking takes the $10 ParkPass, and every visitor has to register at the visitor center first. Fishing is Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from October through May, catch and release only.

Smithgall Woods State Park runs differently from most Georgia parks. Vehicle access beyond the visitor center is restricted, fishing is by reservation, and the place feels more like a private preserve than a day-use park. Trails wander through hardwoods and rhododendron, past beaver ponds and old gold-mining sites, and you'll often have a stretch of path to yourself.

It has an unusual back story too. The land was hit hard by 19th-century hydraulic gold mining and has since recovered. Conservationist Charles A. Smithgall Jr. gave the property to Georgia in 1994, and the park carries his name.

Hours, fees and rules

Checked with Georgia State Parks, October 2026

Hours, parking and registration at Smithgall Woods
Item	Details
Park hours	7 AM to dark
Office hours	8 AM to 5 PM
Closed	Thanksgiving and Christmas
Parking	Georgia ParkPass, $10 per vehicle per day or $70 a year
Overnight guests	Pay the daily fee once per vehicle for the whole stay
Registration	All visitors register at the visitor center
Phone	706-878-3087 (park); 800-864-7275 (reservations)

Trails

Six trails, about 28 miles of trail in all

Start with the short loops by the visitor center, then work up. The park's trail page rates Laurel Ridge moderate and Martin's Mine and Ash Creek challenging. Laurel Ridge doubles as a hunting-season safety zone, so check with the office if you're visiting during hunts.

Trails at Smithgall Woods with length, level and highlights
Trail	Length	Level	Good to know
Visitor Center Loop	0.3 mile loop	Easy	Crosses Dukes Creek tributaries, passes picnic areas and rare Florida Torreya trees.
Wetland Loop	0.55 mile	Easy	Boardwalks over beaver ponds; good for waterfowl and listening for frogs.
Laurel Ridge Trail	1.6-mile loop	Moderate	Interpretive trail with seasonal views of Mount Yonah. Free brochure at the visitor center.
Cathy Ellis Trail	0.5 mile one way	Moderate	Rhododendron tunnels and gold-mining history on the way to Chunanee Falls.
Martin's Mine Trail	0.9-mile loop	Challenging	Interpretive trail past 19th-century mining remains and an old shaft that bats use. Starts 2.1 miles from the visitor center on a road closed to cars.
Ash Creek Trail	1.5 miles one way	Challenging	Requires fording the creek. You can turn around at the covered bridge to stay dry.

A one-mile trail also connects the cottages to Dukes Creek Falls. For the Forest Service's own Dukes Creek Falls trail, see our Dukes Creek Falls guide.

Trout fishing on Dukes Creek

Dukes Creek is the main draw for anglers. Because fishing is by reservation only, the creek sees far fewer rods than a typical public stream. Reserve ahead, and ask the office about fees and how many anglers are allowed per session.

Trout fishing rules at Smithgall Woods
Item	Rule
Season	October through May
Days	Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for day-use visitors
Reservation	Required. Call the visitor center at 706-878-3087 for fees and availability
Gear	Artificial bait only, barbless hooks
Harvest	Catch and release only
Cottage guests	May fish during their stay, including June through September

More on local trout water in our trout fishing guide.

Staying overnight

The park rents six cottages with 17 bedrooms in all, with streamside porches and private hot tubs. Cottage guests can fish during their stay even outside the public season. Book through the park's reservation page or call 800-864-7275. The park also has five first-come picnic shelters and a Pioneer Campground that is for youth and conservation groups only.

Florida Torreya

Look for the rare Florida Torreya trees along the 0.3-mile Visitor Center Loop. The species is native to the Florida panhandle and is among North America's most endangered conifers, so the plantings here are a bit of insurance outside its home range.

Nearby: wildlife watching, Unicoi State Park and north Georgia waterfalls.

Smithgall Woods questions

Do I need a ParkPass for Smithgall Woods?

Yes. A daily Georgia ParkPass is $10 per vehicle, or $70 for the year. Overnight guests pay the daily fee once per vehicle for the whole stay. Everyone also registers at the visitor center when they arrive.

Can I fish for trout at Smithgall Woods?

Yes, by reservation. Day-use fishing runs Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May, with artificial bait, barbless hooks and catch and release only. Call 706-878-3087 to reserve.