MISTLETOE STATE PARK
Located on 72,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake near Augusta, this park is known as one of the finest bass fishing spots in the nation. During the summer, guests can cool down at the beach or on miles of shaded nature trails. A wildlife observation area is available. The park has 10 fully equipped cottages on the lake, five of which are log cabins. The campground is situated on a peninsula, offering spectacular views of both sunset and sunrise over the open water. A one-room camper cabin faces the lake, offering a porch with rocking chairs, electricity, four bed platforms, a grill, picnic table and water spigot.
Mistletoe State Park is located near Augusta, Evans and Grovetown
CLIATT CREEK NATURE TRAIL LOOP This 3.75-mile trail has a maximum grade of 25% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed white. Parking and the trailhead are across from the office next to an information kiosk. The trail soon crosses a paved road, descends to the Cliatt Creek, follows the creek and then ascends and crosses a second paved park road. It continues its upland loop back to the office. This area was originally fields of cotton, corn and tobacco grown in rotation. Now fields are replaced by pines, oaks, sweetgum and beech. Stop to enjoy the cool temperatures and beauty along Cliatt Creek.
CANYON TRAIL LOOP This 1/3-mile trail has a maximum grade of 10% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed red and white. This is a loop trail off the Cliatt Creek Trail. Begin on the Cliatt Creek Trail between the office and the nature center. Follow the Cliatt Creek Trail behind the office for 1/10 mile. Watch for the Canyon Trail Loop red and white blazes to your right. Along this loop you?ll come to a canyon caused by water run-off from poor farming practices in the 1920s. This is a good spot for a photo and to rest on benches.
OFFICE TRAIL This 1/2-mile trail has a maximum grade of 10% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed deep pink. This is a connector trail off the Beach Trail. From the Beach Trail, look for a sign designating a right turn onto the Office Trail.
BEACH TRAIL This 1.9-mile trail has a maximum grade of 20% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed yellow. It begins just southwest of the campground opposite the dump station. Here it is blazed both yellow and white because it runs with the Campground Loop Trail for ? mile. At the ? mile point, the Campground Loop Trail turns right while the Beach Trail continues straight south and then turns east to the beach. The Beach Trail provides a scenic way to access the beach. It goes through pines and hardwoods, across a bridge, then crosses a paved road and terminates at the beach.
CAMPGROUND LOOP TRAIL This 1.5-mile trail has a maximum grade of 15% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed white. The Trailhead is just southwest of the campground opposite the dump station. Here it is blazed both yellow and white because it runs with the Beach Trail for 3/4 mile. At the 3/4 mile point, the Campground Loop Trail turns right while the Beach Trail continues straight. The Campground Loop Trail crosses a paved road and continues through a stand of American holly, descends to the lake, crosses a tributary by footbridge and back up to the campground.
ROCK DAM TRAIL This 6.25-mile trail has a maximum grade of 25% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed blue. The Rock Dam Trail requires 4 stream crossings and is the park?s most challenging trail. To access this trail, start at the parking area across from the office to the left of an information kiosk. Follow the Cliatt Creek Trail across the paved road and descend to the Cliatt Creek. Now look for the Rock Dam Trailhead on your right. Follow the blue blazes across the Cliatt Creek in a counterclockwise direction. In about 1.5 miles you will come to the intersection with the Rock Dam Return Loop Trail. To return to the office, follow the Return Loop or continue on the Rock Dam Trail across the scenic Rock Dam and back to the office via the Cliatt Creek trail.
ROCK DAM RETURN LOOP TRAIL This 1-mile trail has a maximum grade of 15% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed red and blue. This is a shortcut on the Rock Dam Trail. It begins about 1.5 miles from the Rock Dam Trailhead. The Return Loop Trail is an old dirt road
COTTAGE TRAIL This 1/3-mile trail has a maximum grade of 25% in 200 feet. The trail is blazed orange. This is a spur trail to the Beach Trail. From cottages 1-5, follow the paved road toward the park exit. The Cottage Trailhead is about 1/4 mile from the cottages on your right . Look for a trail sign and orange blazes. This trail is short but descends steeply to a bridge, across a stream, and up a gentler slope to the beach trail.