12 paddles in 12 months: Paddle 2 - Watson Mill Bridge State Park

12 paddles in 12 months in 12 Georgia State Parks

Did you know that there is Georgia State Parks offers a paddlers club? All you have to do is paddle in 12 (or more) GA State Parks. Join me in completing this paddling challenge in 2026! More information on the 12 months of paddling is below. 

Paddle 2 is at Watson Mill Bridge State Park, one of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, with the longest covered bridge in the State. We will Kayak up-stream on the Broad river (above the dam) and back. It will be only about 2.0 miles. This is a fairly easy paddle but you do need to b able to manuever your boat enough to avoid logs and trees that may be down along the edges of the river. 

This is a bring your own boat (BYOB) event. The park only rents kayaks in the summer months. There are several folks in the club that have extra boats so reach out if you would like to try to borrow one. 

Optional: After the paddle, I will hike the 2-mile nature trail which wanders through the historic portions of the park and then get an early dinner in Athens before heading home - hope you will join me!  

I will check water levels the day before the paddle to be sure it is safe and passable. If for some reason we can not paddle at Watson Mill Bridge State Park I will make a quick change to another location. Please check your email the night before the paddle. 

More information on the "12 paddles in 12 months in 12 Georgia State Parks" (see GA State park list here https://gastateparks.org/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/clubs/ParkPaddlers_MemberCard_2023_fillable.pdf )

I will post the following paddles at least 1 month ahead of the date of the event. The paddles with the * will have boat rentals. I have 1 make-up paddle listed but will likely repeat others over the summer so you wil have several oppurtunities to get 12 paddles. The last paddle is at the Okefenokee, we will rent some cabins and have a celebration for those folks who paddle in 12 parks in 2026. 

Paddle 1: January 17th: Sweetwater Creek State Park

Paddle: 2 February 21: Watson Mill Bridge

Paddle 3: March 14th: Chattahochee Bend

*Paddle 4: April 11th: George L. Smith State Park in Twin City

*Paddle 5: May 23rd – 25th High Falls State Park, Dames Ferry State Park and Indian Springs (we have a primitive campsite rented for people who want to stay overnight at High Falls). 

*Paddle 6: June 20: Hard Labor Creek State Park

*Paddle 7: July 18: Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton)

*Paddle 8: August 15th Don Carter State Park (Lake Lanier)

*August 22nd (make-up Paddle): Fort Yargo State Park

*Paddle 9: September 19: Elijah Clark State Park

*Paddle 10: October 31: Halloween Paddle: James H Floyd State Park

Paddle 11: November 7th: Fort Mountain and Hike the Gahuti Trail

*Paddle 12: December 4-6: Stephen C Foster State Park - Okefenokee

We will meet at Park Office at Watson Mill Bridge State Park

650 Watson Mill Road, Comer, GA 30629
GPS Coordinates:
N 34.025000 | W 083.074983

There is a $5 parking fee unless you have a state park pass.

It is a 2 hour drive to the park from Atlanta. Although there is no car pool I encourage people to try buddy up and travel together.