Last updated October 28, 2026
Indian Springs State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the country, and it shows. There are old stone buildings from the 1930s, a spring that people have been visiting for centuries, a historic home that now works as the welcome center, and a quiet lake ringed with tall pines. It's in Flovilla, just south of Jackson in Middle Georgia, about an hour south of Atlanta.
I spent a fall day here hiking, fishing and walking around the old part of the park. This guide covers the spring house and its rules, the trail that connects to Dauset Trails, fishing Lake McIntosh, the history, what it costs and the mistakes to avoid.
Me at Lake McIntosh.
Indian Springs State Park at a Glance
Where: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla, GA 30216, just south of Jackson
Drive time: About an hour south of Atlanta, in Middle Georgia
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the spring house closes at sunset.
Parking: $10 per car per day, or $70 for an annual Georgia State Parks ParkPass that covers every state park
Size: 765 acres, including the 105-acre Lake McIntosh
Trails: The 0.75-mile Overland Nature Trail and a 6.5-mile multi-use trail along the lake that connects to Dauset Trails
Spring water: Free to collect, 2 gallons per person at a time, plastic jugs only
Camping: 10 cottages, yurts and 76 campsites
Phone: 770-504-2277
The Spring House
The spring is the reason this park exists. It's an artesian spring, which means underground pressure pushes the water up to the surface, and it picks up minerals on the way. The Creek people came here for the water long before Europeans arrived, and in the 1800s the area grew into a resort town with big hotels full of people who came to drink it.
Today the spring flows inside a stone spring house built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and you can still fill up a jug. You'll know you're close before you see it. It smells like eggs, which I'm pretty sure is the sulfur in the water.
The spring inside the spring house, with the jug rules posted above it.
I didn't get any water on my visit. The spring house is usually packed with people filling jugs, and I didn't want to wait in line. If you want to bring some home, here are the rules posted inside:
Only one 1-gallon plastic jug at a time inside the spring house
No glass allowed inside
Each person can collect 2 gallons, then rotate to the back of the line
The spring house closes at sunset
Go early on a weekday if you want to skip the crowd.
The Stone Buildings and the Welcome Center
The old part of the park around the spring is full of stone work from the Civilian Conservation Corps, including a long stone pavilion with thick stone columns and a big chimney. It's worth a slow walk around.
The CCC stone pavilion near the spring.
Stone work from the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The welcome center was my favorite stop. It's a historical site in its own right and it's full of history. The park office and visitor center are in Idlewilde, an old home the park restored in the 1990s. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park also has a small museum, open seasonally, with exhibits on the Creek people, the resort era and the CCC.
The Trail to Dauset Trails
If you want a real hike, this is the one. The park's multi-use trail runs along Lake McIntosh for hiking and biking, and at the 3.25-mile mark it connects to the trail system at Dauset Trails Nature Center. I hiked the connecting trail over to Dauset and ended up with about 11 miles for the day.
The park rates its trail strenuous, and it's a natural surface the whole way, so wear real hiking shoes and bring more water than you think you need. Bikers use it too, so stay alert.
Dauset Trails is a private, nonprofit nature center in Jackson with free admission. It has around 30 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, an animal trail with rescued wildlife and a farm exhibit. It's also home to General Beauregard Lee, Georgia's official groundhog. Check their hours before you go.
If you want something short, the 0.75-mile Overland Nature Trail is an easy loop through the woods and along the creek.
Fishing Lake McIntosh
Lake McIntosh is a 105-acre lake surrounded by tall pines. I did some fishing from the bank but didn't catch anything. I did see a few people out on boats, so I'm sure it's a good spot to catch something. I just didn't have any luck that day.
Lake McIntosh through the pines.
The park has paddling rentals if you want to get out on the water. Anglers 16 and older need a Georgia fishing license.
The Idlewilde Event Center
The park's Idlewilde Event Center is a venue with a big covered porch, tall windows and rows of double doors. The park lists it at 500 seats. I wasn't able to go inside, but from the outside, looking through the big doors, it looked amazing. It would be an amazing place to host a wedding or any kind of event.
The Idlewilde Event Center.
Other Things to Do at Indian Springs
Mini golf: There's a course in the park, with a fee
Paddling: Rentals are available on Lake McIntosh
Wading: The park mentions wading in Sandy Creek
Picnicking: 5 picnic shelters, a group shelter and the CCC stone pavilion, which seats 130 and can be reserved through the park
Camping: 10 cottages, yurts, 76 tent, trailer and RV sites and a group camp
Geocaching: Caches are hidden around the park
The History of Indian Springs
The spring was a gathering place for Native Americans long before Europeans arrived. In 1821, William McIntosh, a Lower Creek chief, acquired land here through the first Treaty of Indian Springs and built the Indian Springs Hotel, which still stands across from the park entrance. In 1825, a second treaty signed here sold the remaining Creek lands in Georgia. Many Creeks saw it as a betrayal, and McIntosh was killed for his part in it.
After the 1826 Treaty of Washington, Georgia set aside the land around the spring for public use, which is why the park is considered one of the oldest state parks in the country. Through the 1800s, hotels with hundreds of rooms drew visitors to the water. The state officially named it Indian Springs State Park in 1927, and the CCC built the stone structures during the Depression. The lake came in the 1950s.
Where to Eat Nearby
I just went to Chick-fil-A after my hike, but there are a bunch of nice spots to eat in Jackson, just up the road. If you're pairing it with High Falls State Park, Mesquite Mexican Grill & Bar in Jackson can seat a big group.
When to Visit Indian Springs
I visited on a clear, sunny day in late October. Fall and spring are the best seasons for the 11-mile round trip to Dauset. Weekends are the busiest at the spring house, so go early or on a weekday if you want water without the wait.
Mistakes to Avoid
Bringing glass jugs. Glass isn't allowed inside the spring house. Bring plastic.
Showing up late for spring water. The spring house closes at sunset, and the line can be long.
Underestimating the trail to Dauset. It's strenuous and long. Bring plenty of water and food.
Forgetting your fishing license. Anglers 16 and older need one.
Skipping the welcome center. It's full of history and easy to miss if you head straight for the lake.
Skipping the parking fee. Every car needs a $10 ParkPass.
How to Get to Indian Springs State Park
Indian Springs is in Flovilla, just south of Jackson and about an hour south of Atlanta. Put "Indian Springs State Park" into your map, or use 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla, GA 30216.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indian Springs State Park the oldest state park in the US?
It's considered one of the oldest. Georgia set the land around the spring aside for public use in 1826, and the park calls itself Georgia's oldest state park.
Can you drink the water at Indian Springs?
People have been collecting it for centuries, and you can still fill a jug at the spring house. It has a strong sulfur smell. Each person can collect 2 gallons at a time in plastic jugs, and glass isn't allowed.
Why does Indian Springs smell like eggs?
The spring water has sulfur in it, which gives it that rotten egg smell.
How much does it cost to visit Indian Springs State Park?
Parking is $10 per car per day. An annual Georgia State Parks ParkPass is $70 and works at every state park. Collecting spring water is free.
Can you hike from Indian Springs to Dauset Trails?
Yes. The park's multi-use trail runs along Lake McIntosh and connects to Dauset Trails at the 3.25-mile mark. I hiked about 11 miles total going over to Dauset.
Can you fish at Indian Springs State Park?
Yes, from the bank or by boat on Lake McIntosh. You need a Georgia fishing license if you're 16 or older.
Can you have a wedding at Indian Springs State Park?
Yes. The Idlewilde Event Center seats 500, and the CCC stone pavilion seats 130. Weddings need park approval.
Make It a Full Day
Indian Springs pairs perfectly with a waterfall stop nearby. Read my High Falls State Park guide for the tallest cascading waterfall south of Atlanta, and see all my Middle Georgia guides. For more parks, start with my Georgia State Parks guide, or use Find a Trip to plan your next one.
Want to hike with a group? The Explore Georgia Hiking Club runs free group hikes around Georgia, and every pace is welcome.