Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Georgia
27

Georgia State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Georgia
Presidential Pathways Region
Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park
Oh Yell © stateparks.com
Campfire and Hotdogs © stateparks.com
Roasting hot dogs over an open fire.
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
GEORGIA VETERANS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
GEORGIA VETERANS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
2459-A U.S. Highway 280 West
Cordele, Georgia   31015

Phone: 912-276-2371
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Established as a memorial to U.S. veterans, this park features a museum with aircraft, armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, medals and other items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. An 18-hole golf course and pro shop, along with 8,600-acre Lake Blackshear, make this one of Georgia?s most popular state parks. The Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club is a privately operated conference center with 78 lodge rooms, 10 cottages and a restaurant. The SAM Shortline Excursion Train runs through the park on its way from Cordele to Plains, allowing riders to see an antique telephone museum, Habitat for Humanity's Global Village, President Jimmy Carter's boyhood farm and other attractions.
History of the Area
The park was established in 1946 to honor U.S. veterans from various wars. It spans over 1,308 acres and features a museum showcasing military artifacts dating back to Revolutionary War times.

The site also includes Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club which opened its doors in 2002 offering lodging facilities for visitors. The resort has an array of recreational activities including golfing on an eighteen-hole course designed by Denis Griffiths.

In addition to this, it offers outdoor pursuits such as fishing at Lake Blackshear spanning across more than eight thousand acres or hiking along nature trails within the premises.

Several improvements have been made like adding campsites with amenities catering towards modern campers' needs while preserving natural beauty around them.
Camping
1. Lakefront Campsites: These sites offer stunning views of the lake, equipped with water and electric hook-ups.

2. Primitive Camping Sites: For a more rustic experience, these campsites have no utilities but are near restroom facilities.

3. Group Shelter Area: This area can accommodate large groups for camping or picnics; reservations required in advance.

4. Pioneer Campground: A secluded campground suitable for scout troops or other organized groups; must be reserved ahead of time.

5. RV Park Site Rentals: Full-service lots available year-round that include electricity, sewage disposal services and Wi-Fi access.

6. Yurt Rental Options: Unique round structures offering comfortable accommodations including furniture inside and fire ring outside.

7. Cabins & Cottages: Fully furnished options ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms located throughout the park.
Swimming
1. Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park offers a sandy beach for swimming on Lake Blackshear.
2. The park's public pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor day, with lifeguards present.
3. Visitors can rent paddleboards and kayaks to explore the lake beyond the designated swim area.
4. Swimming lessons are available during summer months at an additional cost in their outdoor pools.
5. Fishing piers near the swimming areas provide opportunities for non-swimmers to enjoy water activities as well.


Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There is a large lake where guests can enjoy fishing, skiing and jet-skiing. Paddle boats are available to rent at the park's marina along with private boat ramps for those who bring their own vessels. For larger groups or special events, there's also an excursion yacht that holds up to 30 passengers which provides tours around Lake Blackshear.

Fishing
Enjoy fishing in the 1,300-acre Lake Blackshear for largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Boat rentals are available on-site.

Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching bream or shellcracker from a boat or shoreline within this park's vast lake.

The park offers ample opportunities to fish either from shorelines or boats with several species including hybrid bass present.

For those who enjoy night-time adventures, there is an option of nighttime fishing targeting primarily channel cats and flatheads.

A fully equipped marina provides bait as well as rental options like Jon boats for visitors interested in angling activities.


Location
Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park is located near Americus, Cordele and Leesburg

Picnicking
Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park offers picnic shelters, tables and grills by the lake for a relaxing outdoor meal.
Bicycling
Cycling enthusiasts can explore a 7-mile trail, suitable for all skill levels. Helmets are strongly recommended.

The park offers bike rentals if you don't have your own equipment. Be sure to check availability in advance.

Please note that the trails may be shared with hikers and joggers; exercise caution when passing others.

During peak times or holidays, the paths might get crowded so it's best to plan ahead accordingly.

Remember: safety first! Always adhere strictly to posted rules and guidelines while enjoying cycling activities within this location.

Trails
UCCA TRACE TRAIL

Rated easy.

The Yucca Trace Trail is a hiking, biking nature trail which is approximately a mile in length. It features plants and wildlife of the dry ecosystem of the Atlantic Coastal Plain such as cork oak, fox squirrel, prickly pear, Spanish bayonet, red fox, wild strawberry, deer, opossum, brown thrasher, bluebird, blackberries, common persimmon, loblolly pine, slash pine, water oak, shortleaf pine, wild cherry, wild plum, huckleberry and honeysuckle.

Access to the Yucca Trail can be obtained off the main park road right before the Resort or from the campground. Part of this trail winds it way through the disc golf course.

LAKE SHORE TRAIL

Rated easy.

The Lake Shore Trail is a leisurely half-mile hiking, biking nature trail winding along the shores of Lake Blackshear and Gum Creek. It loops back within view of the SAM Shortline railroad tracks and returns to the start of trail.

It is a wetlands trail which features the plants and wildlife of the wet ecosystem of the lake community such as bald cypress, cypress knees, wax myrtle, red maple, sparkleberry, sweetgum, alligator, beaver, great blue heron, red-headed woodpecker, wood duck, coot, jasmine, alder, mistletoe and pond turtles.

Access to the Lake Shore Trail is across the street from the park Visitor Center, right at the bridge, beyond the fishing pier and picnic shelter.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com
Pets
- All pets must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet at all times.
- Pets are not allowed in or around swimming areas, playgrounds, and buildings.
- Pet owners should clean up after their pet immediately using appropriate waste disposal methods.
- Excessive noise from pets will not be tolerated; this includes continuous barking that disturbs other park guests.
- Aggressive dogs of any breed are prohibited within the state park boundaries for safety reasons.
- Owners may walk their leashed dog along roadsides as long as they yield to passing vehicles safely.
- Pets cannot be left unattended outside overnight; ensure your pet is secured indoors during these hours.
- Dog breeds deemed "vicious" by Georgia law aren't permitted inside the State Park under any circumstances.

Note: These rules can change without notice based on local ordinances and regulations set forth by The Department of Natural Resources Division - Parks & Historic Sites Section which manages Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park.

Directions
Located 9 miles west of I-75 (exit #101) near Cordele on U.S. Hwy. 280.

state route ranger badge
Georgia
27

Georgia State Parks

X