YOUR LOCAL OUTING GUIDETRY478 · MIDDLE GEORGIAFALL 2026
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YOUR LOCAL FIELD GUIDE

New Manchester Mill Ruins at Sweetwater Creek

Follow Sweetwater Creek's rapids for about half a mile to the roofless five-story New Manchester textile-mill ruins, then continue over rockier ground toward Sweetwater Falls or return from the overlook.

The roofless stone New Manchester textile-mill ruins across Sweetwater Creek.

New Manchester mill ruins across Sweetwater Creek. · Dianne K Frost · Credits & licenses

Photo sources & dates (1)
  1. New Manchester mill ruins
    Dianne K Frost · Photographed
    View source page · Original image

    CC BY-SA 4.0 photograph by Dianne K Frost, captured in 2017.

Source links identify the published photographs. Copyright remains with the credited rightsholders; see photo credits and rights information.

What to expect

Follow Sweetwater Creek's rapids for about half a mile to the roofless five-story New Manchester textile-mill ruins, then continue over rockier ground toward Sweetwater Falls or return from the overlook.

Lithia Springs · $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle; annual and library-pass alternatives · 1.5–3 hours

Sweetwater Creek State Park · 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Daylight; park closes at dark

The one-mile Red History Trail is easy to difficult; the ruins overlook is about a half-mile from the trailhead. Interior entry is limited to registered programs.

  • Mill ruins beside creek whitewater
  • Red History Trail and longer park routes
  • Visitor-center museum and seasonal ranger programs

Before you go

  • The mill interior is closed except during registered guided hikes, field trips and special events; exterior views remain self-guided.
  • The trail beyond the mill becomes considerably rockier and more strenuous.
  • The park closes at dark, and swimming is prohibited in George Sparks Reservoir.
  • Boat rentals are seasonal and bait-shop hours vary.
  • Guided interior programs carry a separate fee and require registration.

Sources & visitor information

Venue and visitor-bureau information checked on the dates below. Follow these links for current hours, admission and access.

Visitor information phone: 770-732-5871

Visitor review notes

Selected visitor experiences, paraphrased from the linked reviews. These describe individual visits; check venue sources for current conditions.

Tripadvisor visitor report ↗ · Posted

A May visitor found the Red and White trails well maintained with strong scenery, easy parking and a small museum in the park office and gift shop.

Read

Check the organizer’s latest details before leaving; schedules and availability can change.

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