12 Paddle in 12 Months: Paddle 4 - George L. Smith State Park - Sat, Apr 11 2026

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12 Paddle in 12 Months: Paddle 4 - George L. Smith State Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: George L Smith State Park, Twin City, GA   Water: 12 Paddle in 12 Months: Paddle 4 - George L. Smith State Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Apr 11 2026  10:30 am >> Sat, Apr 11 2026 2:00 pm
Registration Opens: Thu, Feb 5 2026 7:07 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Apr 10 2026 7:07 pm
Event Duration:3 Hours 30 Minutes
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate (Exploratory)
Distance:6 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Kelly
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 7 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

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 4 is a beautiful, relaxed paddle on the cypress filled waters of George L Smith State Park in eastern GA. The “pond” has 3 water trails: the more primitive but potentially more difficult to navigate Blue trail, the Yellow trail along a developed shoreline, or a Red Trail that goes straight up the middle. The trip leader reserves the right to meander between trees and trails and choose the way we go, based on everyone’s experience and comfort level and the water as we find it.  This is a flat-water paddle and is fine for beginners. We will begin paddling at 10:30 am and will have lunch in our boats on the water. 

George L Smith Satet Park is 3 hrs away from Atlanta.  There are accommodations at the park including camping and cottage rentals that you are welcome to take advantage of, but are not part of the event. 

We will meet at the boat ramp closest to the park office. The park is not currently renting Kayaks due to low water levels. I will update this description if that changes. I will also call the park a few days before the event to be sure at least one of the water trails is passable. 

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/par ks/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


Required Items to Bring:

Kayak/Paddle

PFD

Non-disposable containers (tupperware, etc.) for food/beverages

$10 for parking, or a State Park Pass

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Sunscreen

Bug Spray

Towel

Camera


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

Follow GPS Directions to: 371 George L Smith State Park Rd, Twin City, GA 30471

We will launch from the boat ramp at the southernmost part of the lake, near the park office and the Mill Museum.


Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:

No cost to attend/participate but parking is $10 unless you have a State Park Pass, so plan accordingly and/or bring cash.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

This event will be rain or shine unless severe thunderstorms are likely. If you sign up for the event, but then determine that you are unable to attend after all, please remove yourself as soon as possible to allow others to participate instead. If the deadline for registration has passed, let  the Trip Leader  know.