Watson Mill Bridge State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Watson Mill Bridge State Park is home to a unique 229-foot covered bridge that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Spanning the South Fork River, it's the longest wooden bridging structure in Georgia today. However, the 1,118-acre park offers much more to visitors traveling through northeast Georgia. In addition to a scenic nature trail, there's a hiking/horse trail that winds through the dense forest and along the river. The park is located just outside Comer and Carlton, and it's 18 miles northeast of Athens.
Spring 49-84 F
Summer 65-91 F
Fall 42-84 F
Winter 36-61 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Georgians prefer to use an RV when camping at or near Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Hundreds of RV campsites are available in the surrounding Georgia Piedmont area. If you're looking to rent an RV for a stay at Watson Mill Bridge State Park, browse through the options on RVshare.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground
The Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground offers 21 tent, trailer, and RV campsites. The park provides restrooms, air-conditioned and heated facilities, showers, a playground, a laundry area, and picnic tables with fire rings and grills. While the park is open year-round, the peak camping season lasts from March 1 to November 30.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: No; an on-site dump station is available
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $30-$40 per night
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Richard B. Russell State Park
Richard B. Russell State Park is only 18 miles east of Watson Mill Bridge. Offering a total of 28 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs, the park is famous for its Arrow Pointe Golf Course. The park sits on the bank of the 26,650-acre body of water called Richard B. Russell Lake. The lake offers some of the best fishing found in Georgia. Activities include golfing, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, paddling, rowing, and canoeing.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes, but only in the office or the museum
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $35 per night
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Victoria Bryant State Park
Victoria Bryant State Park is a mere 18 miles north of Watson Mill Bridge. The campground offers 27 tent, trailer, and RV sites. A stream runs through the center of the 502-acre park. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, a laundry facility, picnic tables, and fire rings. Two fully stocked fishing ponds make for great angling for the kids, and unmotorized boats can skim across their surfaces. Activities include fishing, hiking, biking, archery, and swimming.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: No, but a dump station is available
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $32 per night
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Sunset Ridge Campground
Sunset Ridge Campground is located on the shore of Lake Russell just 20 miles from Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Sunset Ridge has 43 full hookup sites. The campground provides flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities, and picnic tables. Other amenities include a swimming pool, cable connectivity, and grills. Favorite activities include fishing, boating, hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $20 to $22 per night
Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
What to Do at
Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Inside Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is one of the most picturesque areas in Georgia. The slow-moving South Fork River splits the park, and families often play in the cool shoals of the river during the warm summer months. Swimming, fishing, and boating are favorite activities here. In addition, you can enjoy the hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that often intersect under the dense woods that cover the rolling hills found on both sides of the river. The trails wander the hills and wind through the old mill area where time seems to run back to a former era.
Outside Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Watson Mill Bridge State Park is a short drive to Athens, home of the University of Georgia, and one of the most diverse communities in the state. Small communities are tucked away throughout the area, providing a rich mix of restaurant cuisines, shopping opportunities, and points of interest. You'll find some good dining options just 6 miles north in Comer.
Restaurants
Maggie's Cafe
Located just 6 miles from Watson Mill Bridge is Maggie's Cafe. You should expect to find comfort food here such as their Buddha Burger, Grilled Cheese, or French Dip Sandwich.
Type: American
Location: 1976 Main Street, Comer, GA 30629
Fresh Air Bar-B-Que
For the best in Southern comfort foods, try Fresh Air Bar-B-Que in Athens. Here, you find the best in traditional Southern cooking, including chopped pork sandwiches, rib plates, and chicken tenders.
Type: Barbecue
Location: 1110 Hull Road, Athens, GA 30601
Longhorn Steakhouse
Longhorn Steakhouse offers steaks, bone-in and boneless. Their meals satisfy even the hungriest of campers.
Type: Steakhouse
Location: 2170 W Broad Street, Athens, GA 30601
Osteria Athena
For some of the finest Italian cuisine in northeast Georgia, seek out Osteria Athena. This restaurant's ownership prides itself on creating its pasta dishes from scratch.
Type: Italian
Location: 323 E. Broad Street, Athens, GA 30601
Shopping
Golden Pantry
When you need fresh produce, visit the Golden Pantry. The store is only 8 miles from Watson Mill Bridge. This grocery’s main attraction is the fresh-baked biscuits, which are some of the best in Georgia.
Location: 214 Gen. Daniels S, Danielsville, GA 30633
Walmart Supercenter
Within 18 miles of Watson Mill Bridge State Park, there is a Walmart Supercenter. Here, you can find everything from medicine to groceries to hardware to play items for the kids.
Location: 4375 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605
Georgia Square Mall
The Georgia Square Mall is only 20 miles from the park. The mall includes various stores with differing specialties, including cellphones, apparel, shoes, sporting goods, and jewelry.
Location: 3700 Atlanta Highway, Athens, GA 30606
Sightseeing
Broad River Outpost
Get close and personal with nature by taking the time to stop at Broad River Outpost. You and your kids will experience what the original explorers found when they ran the rivers of Georgia. There are opportunities to run rapids in canoes, kayaks, and rafts.
Location: 7911 Wildcat Bridge Road, Danielsville, GA 30633
Zombie Farms
Zombie Farms is about 15 miles from Watson Mill Bridge State Park. The “farm” features 30 professional actors seeking to create scares for kids and adults alike. Storytelling during the evening hours is one of the favorite activities for youngsters.
Location: 568 Smithonia Road, Winterville, GA 30683
Sandy Creek Park
Sandy Creek Park is a great place to stop, picnic, and let the kids run off some steam after sightseeing. This 750-acre park features the 260-acre Lake Chapman. Here, you can enjoy ball courts, kayaking, boating, hiking, biking, and team sports activities for people of all ages.
Location: 400 Bob Holman Road, Athens, GA 30607
How to Get to
Watson Mill Bridge State Park
When traveling to Watson Mill Bridge State Park from south of Atlanta, take Interstate 20 East to the Georgia Highway 138 exit at Conyers. Travel that highway to the exit for Georgia Highway 78 at Monroe. From there, take the Georgia Highway 29 exit at Athens and then Georgia Highway 72E to Comer. Follow the signs to the park 6 miles from Comer.
When traveling from north of Atlanta, take Interstate 85 (I-85) to Georgia Highway 316E. That highway will link up to Georgia Highway 29. Follow the same directions as if you were approaching from the south for the rest of the trip.
Entering Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Like all state parks in Georgia, vehicle entry at Watson Mill Bridge State Park requires a Georgia ParkPass. ParkPass fees are based on vehicle type and the number of passengers. You can get a one-day ParkPass or a ParkPass that is good for the whole year.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park Park entry for vehicles with one to 12 passengers : $5.0
$5 per day, or $50 annually
Watson Mill Bridge State Park Park entry for vehicles with 13 to 30 passengers : $30.0
$30 per day, or $75 annually
Watson Mill Bridge State Park Park entry for vehicles with 31 or more passengers : $79.0
$79 per day, or $250 annually
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Watson Mill Bridge State Park. If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watson Mill Bridge State Park
Fall and spring are the best times to visit Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Georgia. Daytime highs are warm enough to enjoy water activities, but you will avoid hot, muggy summer temperatures.
It never gets too cold at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Winter temperatures are mild, rarely falling below freezing. However, summers are hot and humid and have the occasional downpour, so you may want to prepare for rain.
Georgia has a varied wildlife population. If you're visiting this state park, you'll likely see plenty of deer, squirrels, and other small mammals. However, occasionally RVers see wild boars and bears.
There are 21 sites available at Watson Mill Bridge State Park for RVers and tent campers. Camping spots are pull-in sites and don't include full hookups, only electric ones. There is a dump station at the park.
With only 21 camping sites available, making a reservation is always recommended, especially during peak camping season from March to November. The cost to camp at Watson Mill Bridge State Park ranges from $30-$40 per night.