| FAQs How do I get to Phinizy Swamp Nature Park? When
is the Nature Park open? |
Explore
Beaver
Dam Trail
Terrain: Dirt trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Description: The first half of
this wooded trail overlooks an active beaver pond, a small meadow, a lake,
and a swamp. After crossing the Bridge Through the Woods, the trail follows
Butler Creek, taking the visitor through a mixed deciduous pine forest. Wild
turkeys and deer frequent the area, and one may see an occasional beaver or
river otter. A bench marks the spot where man-made Phinizy Ditch joins Butler
Creek. Just past the bench, the trail splits into a blue trail and a green
trail, both ending at the same location. The blue trail tends to be drier
than the green trail.
Beaver Dam Trail Guide
Wheelchair
accessible and 
mountain
bike accessible
Bridge
Through the Woods
Terrain: Steel and wooden bridge
Length: 25 feet
Description: This bridge spans Butler Creek and provides occasional views of turtle and river otters, and is also a great location for listening to songbirds. This bridge links the front and back halves of the Beaver Dam Trail. Funds provided by private donors.
Cattail
Trail
Terrain: Dirt trail
Length: 0.1 miles
Description: This short loop is the entry point to the Floodplain Boardwalk
and Observation Deck. Significant sights along the trail include a stand
of native cane, cypress knees, and numerous vines and wildflowers. Cattail
Trail Guide
<RETURN
TO TOP>
Wheelchair
accessible
Floodplain
Boardwalk and Observation Deck
Terrain: Wooden boardwalk with
a covered observation
deck at the end
Length: 0.1 miles
Description: This boardwalk
and deck are a wonderful introduction to the beauty of Phinizy Swamp Nature
Park. Overlooking the floodplain of Butler Creek, the boardwalk and deck provide
an excellent spot to see many types of birds, including wading birds (such
as the Great Egret), woodpeckers, blackbirds, warblers, and hawks. Also look
for the trails through the marsh plants made by beaver, river otter and muskrat.
Funds provided by Mr. & Mrs. Braye Boardman, nearly 100 additional individual donors, Georgia DNR, Atlanta Gas Light, J&J Mid-South/Georgia-Pacific Corporation, AT&T, and a private donor.
<RETURN
TO TOP>
Wheelchair
accessible
Beaver
Pond Boardwalk and Observation Deck
Terrain: Wooden boardwalk
with covered observation deck
Length: 50 feet
Description: A favorite of Nature
Park visitors, this deck offers a tranquil setting for viewing wildlife, having
a quiet lunch, or simply meditating. Overlooking an oxbow lake (where the
Savannah River once flowed), one can see the activities of turtles and wading
birds, and enjoy the rustling of cattails and other marsh plants. Also keep
an ear open for the calls of one of our resident Barred Owls. Funds
provided by Monsanto.
<RETURN
TO TOP>
Wheelchair
accessible
Constructed
Wetlands Trail
Terrain: Gravel trail
Length: 1 mile
Description: Exit the canopy of the forest and enter the openness of man-made marshes used by the city of Augusta to provide a third step in wastewater treatment. Construction on these wetlands began in 1997, and they have since become a favorite area for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, marsh and wading birds, and birds of prey. Constructed Wetlands Trail Guide
Wheelchair
accessible and mountain
bike accessible
Pond
Trail
Terrain: Dirt trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Description: This sunny loop takes the visitor around the Equalization Pond that holds treated wastewater before it enters the constructed wetlands. The trail is on a raised berm around the pond, allowing a higher view of the surrounding swamp and pine and deciduous forest. An occasional grebe or cormorant may be seen in the pond. Pond Trail Guide
Wheelchair
accessible and mountain
bike accessible
Butler
Creek Trail
Terrain: Dirt trail
Length: 0.25 miles
Description: This trail has
a beautiful view over the floodplain of Butler Creek from a high ridge, and
it meanders through a deciduous upland forest as well as a small pine forest.
Don't miss this trail for an intriguing surprise!
Butler
Creek Trail Guide
School
Bus Bridge
Terrain: Concrete bridge
Length: 100 feet
Description: Spend some
quiet time here and you are bound to see something exciting! Visitors
have been rewarded with views of water moccasins, turtles, animal tracks,
muskrats, otters, and even beavers (in the evenings). This is also another
great spot for birding.
Wheelchair
accessible and mountain
bike accessible
River
Scar Trail
Terrain: Graveled Trail
Length: 1.1 miles
Description: Meander
around one of the constructed wetland cells that borders a beautiful river
scar featuring a cypress-tupelo swamp. This trail leads to a deck overlooking
the ancient scar. You'll be amazed by the stillness and beauty of this area!
River Scar Trail Guide
Wheelchair
accessible and mountain
bike accessible
Rain
Garden Deck and Boardwalk
Terrain: Wooden boardwalk
Description: This deck overlooks the newly emerging Phinizy Swamp Rain Garden,
a living laboratory for students to safely explore swamp ecology. Funds provided
by Sand Hills Garden Club, The Garden Club of America, Lowe's, and subsidized in part
by Archadeck.
Wheelchair
accessible
