LOCATION: 543 Elliott Trail Mansfield, GA 30055 770-784-3059 LENGTH: 3 mi-hiking and 5.6 mile multi-use trail for horseback riding and biking. There is also a driving trail and archery trail. TYPE: Loop RANKING: Easy to Moderate ACCESS: Open year-round USAGE: Light FEES: Museum is free. State fishing license and Wildlife Mgt Area License to fish MAPS: Available at visitor center and at a station before the entrance SURFACE: Rocky dirt in woods FEATURES: Visitor center is very informative with a small museum and restrooms. There are 3 lakes for fishing/canoeing and a climbing tree. COMMENTS: We loved the museum. The visitor center is closed on Monday and Sunday PET FRIENDLY: Yes
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Charlie Elliott Conference Center
This is a beautiful wildlife center managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. There is something for everyone at this center from fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, biking, camping and even tree climbing.
Charlie Elliott (1906 - 2000) served as the first Director of Georgia State Parks. He later became Commissioner of Natural Resources and was the first Director of the Game and Fish Commission. Elliott was Southeastern Field Editor for Outdoor Life magazine from 1950 until his passing. The museum tells his life story and has a replica of Elliott's actual den.
There are four trails, marked by the colors red, white, yellow and blue. We hiked on a gorgeous day in March, 2013 and found the trails to be well-marked and easy to follow. There is an abundance of birds and wildlife throughout the center. We were privileged to see a rafter of turkeys in the woods.
The hotel-style lodging cost $50 per night and there are 27 rooms near Clubhouse Lake. Primitive camping is also available on a first- come first-served basis.
Charlie Elliott WC was designated an Important Bird Area in 2002 by the Atlanta Audubon Society. Be sure to bring your binoculars and field guides, and see how many of the 200 species you can find. A Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP) is now required for bird watching on Charlie Elliott property. You do not need this pass on the educational trails.
Volunteer help is always needed with educational programs, kids fishing events, gardening, trail maintenance and more. Contact the center at 770-784-3059 or email [email protected].
DIRECTIONS FROM ATLANTA:
From Atlanta take I-20 East to Exit 98 (Monticello/Mansfield). Turn right on GA 11 South for approx 12 miles. Turn left onto Marbin Farm Road (see sign for Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center). Turn right onto Elliott Trail Follow signs to the green-roofed visitor center.
