Big Haynes Creek Nature Center in Georgia

Trip Overview

The Big Haynes Creek Nature Center is a true wetland experience near the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA. The area offers a dock to put in kayaks and canoes.

The vast majority of the wetland is covered with lily pads and water plants. The lily pads obscure hidden tree stumps which is the main reason for the "moderate" difficulty rating. As you approach the North end of the wetland, the water gets very shallow but the mud under it allowed me to continue across portions though the paddling was difficult.

There are also numerous channels that offer the true kayaking experience and will leave you wondering which direction you came from. The lower end of the wetland averages 3 - 5 feet deep and has several beaver lodges and even an eagles nest visible. This area was rife with ducks and geese and the occasional beaver or muskrat.

At the bottom end of the area there is a dam that has a gentle enough slope that you can walk down to a lower wetland that will take you to the Yellow River. I have not yet explored the difficulty of navigating to the Yellow River, but will add an article once I have done so.

Over all, this is a nature lover's paradise. Lots of wetlands creatures and fowl along with water plants of every type that are indigenous to the area. Big Haynes Creek Nature Center is 173 acres in size between the wetland area and horse and walking trails that skirt the wetland and have several boardwalks with binoculars on viewing stands.

Accommodations:

I did not see any amenities other than an outhouse type bathroom and dock for launching canoes and kayaks

Fees:

No fees to use the facility.

Due to it being a Nature Center, no fishing is permitted in the wetlands.

Directions:

The Nature Center is located off of Centennial Olympic Parkway directly across from Gate D of the Georgia International Horse Park.