Park Rules & Regulations

Rules and regulations are posted at site offices and must be observed by all guests and their visitors.

Smoke-Free Facilities

Please be advised that smoking is prohibited in all enclosed facilities, including buildings owned, leased, or operated by the State or local governing authorities. This includes all lodge rooms and facilities, park cottages, group shelters, group lodges, group camps, Chattahoochee Bend Adirondack Campsites, Mistletoe Tent Cabin, Seminole Treehouse Camping, Watson Mill Log Cabin Bunkhouses and yurt camps.

Pets

Pets are welcome at state parks and campgrounds if leashed (no longer than six feet) and accompanied by the owner at all times. Some dog-friendly cabins are available. Pets are not allowed in state park and historic site buildings, lodges, yurts, group camps, swimming areas, or some trails at Panola Mountain and Tallulah Gorge. Kennels are not available. Owners should clean up after pets.

Explore nature with your four-legged best friend

Reserving Your CottageDog Walking

  • You must request a dog-friendly cottage prior to arrival. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
  • A fee of $50 per dog (limit 2) will be collected at check-in and covers the duration of your stay.

Cottage Rules

  • A maximum of two dogs per cottage is allowed, regardless of size.
  • Dogs may not be left unattended at any time, either in the cottage, your vehicle or the park.
  • Dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times when not inside cottages.
  • Dogs may not be tied up to trees, fences or anchored to the ground.
  • Guests are required to clean up after their dogs.
  • Dogs may not be taken into cottages that are not designated “dog-friendly.”

Service Animal Policy

Department of Natural Resources Service Animal Policy

Georgia State Parks welcomes visitors with service animals. Service animals are “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities,” according to the Revised Americans with Disabilities Act Service Animal Requirements. Our Pet Policy applies to service animals with the following exemptions:

  • Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all areas of the park and overnight accommodations when accompanied by a visitor with a disability; and,
  • Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such devices interfere with the service animal’s work, or if the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. In that case, the visitor must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal or other effective controls.

Please Note:

  • Guests will be asked to vacate their cottage if their dogs disturb other guests.
  • Park management reserves the right to prohibit any dogs on the premises that may pose a risk to guests or staff, or has a history of causing trouble.
  • Extra fees will be assessed when extra cleaning is required or if there is damage to the cottage or fixtures. Park management will assess damage fees based on materials and labor required to make necessary repairs.
  • Kennels are NOT provided. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles.

Intoxicants

Consumption or use of alcoholic beverages or intoxicants is unlawful in any public-use area.

Firewood & Campfires

Tree-killing insects and diseases can hide in firewood. While these pests can't move far on their own, they can travel hundreds of miles when people move firewood. Pest infestations are a serious problem that destroy our forests and property values, and are very expensive to control. Please contact the state park directly about not moving firewood and finding local sources of wood.

All campfires must be kept in designated areas such as a fire ring. Never leave a campfire unattended. Smaller fires with coals (rather than large flames) are better for campfire cooking and toasting marshmallows.

Don't Move Firewood - Find Out Why

Weapons

Bows and arrows, explosives, fireworks, slingshots, fishing spears or any device that discharges projectiles by any means is prohibited. When a person is a lawful weapons carrier as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1, that person may carry a handgun or a long gun (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-125.1), in all parks, historic sites and recreational areas, except in places where prohibited by federal law.

Firearms except those that are unloaded, cased and stored are not permitted on sites that are leased, federal Army Corps of Engineers property, including:

  • Red Top Mountain
  • Seminole
  • George T. Bagby
  • Don Carter
  • Florence Marina
  • Tugaloo
  • Hart
  • Bobby Brown
  • Richard B. Russell
  • Elijah Clark
  • Mistletoe

Collecting & Defacing

All wildlife, plant life, driftwood, artifacts and any other natural or man-made features are protected and may not be disturbed or removed. Please do not leave painted rocks or other structures in parks. Painting, carving or vandalizing rocks, structures or other natural resources is not allowed. Please leave wildflowers for other visitors to enjoy. Possession of metal detecting equipment is prohibited.

Motor Vehicles & Golf Carts

Park roads are public roads. All vehicles must display a valid ParkPass, and are subject to license safety requirements and regulations of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. ATVs are not allowed in state parks.

Golf Carts are treated as motor vehicles and have to have a daily ParkPass or have an annual ParkPass. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Golf carts are allowed on roads 25 mph or less. Golf carts are not permitted on park trails.

The golf cart needs to have the following standard safety equipment on the vehicle: 

  • A braking system sufficient for the passenger capacity of the vehicle 
  • Reverse warning device functioning 
  • A main power switch that can be turned on and off 
  • Front and rear lights 
  • Reflex reflectors 
  • A horn 
  • A rearview mirror 
  • Safety warning labels 
  • Hip restraints and hand holds

Noise Levels

Please be considerate of guests who are visiting state parks for a quiet, natural experience. Radios, televisions, musical instruments and all other noise-making devices are not to be used between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and must be kept at low volumes during other times.

Visitors

Visitors to cottages, campsites and lodge rooms are welcome; however, the number of visitors and registered guests must not exceed the stated capacity at any time. Visitors must leave prior to closing times.

Group Activities

All group gatherings must conclude before 10 p.m.

Drones

Drone operation is prohibited in Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. However, occasionally waivers are approved for professional commercial projects which may generate revenue or in other ways help promote the sites. In these cases, prior approval is required from the Division Director. A commercial film/photography request application detailing the project description, specific site location requested, and exact dates and times of drone use needs to be submitted along with the FAA drone registration,the name of the pilot, and proof of FAA Small UAS Certification or Part 107. Blanket requests will not be approved and drone use is not allowed over populated areas that may put park guests at risk. View film information.

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