Last updated November 13, 2026
The blue spring and old stone walls at Radium Springs
Radium Springs Gardens is a free public garden at 2501 Radium Springs Road in Albany, GA, built around Georgia's largest natural spring, open Tuesday through Sunday with no admission fee, and swimming is not allowed.
I made the trip down to Radium Springs on my own in June 2025 and spent about an hour walking the grounds. It was cool to see how blue the water is, but what stayed with me was that you can tell this place was beautiful years ago.
Radium Springs is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, and it doesn't feel like anything else in the state. Clear blue water rises out of a limestone cave, the old stone walls from the resort days still frame the pool, and Spanish moss hangs off the live oaks all around it.
The old casino gate by the parking lot
Radium Springs Gardens at a Glance
- Address: 2501 Radium Springs Road, Albany, GA 31705
- Phone: (229) 430-6120 (Dougherty County)
- Website: Visit Albany: Radium Springs Gardens
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Monday.
- Swimming: Not allowed
- What you can do: Walk the gardens and paved paths, look down into the spring, see the casino courtyard and columns, read the history signs
- Time needed: About an hour (that's how long I stayed)
- Parking: Free lot next to the old casino gate
- Dogs: Listed as pet friendly. Keep them on a leash.
- Events: Dougherty County takes reservations for events at the gardens
What You'll See at Radium Springs Gardens in Albany, GA
The Blue Spring
The spring is the reason to come. It pushes out up to 70,000 gallons of water a minute in ideal conditions from a network of limestone caves that are part of the Floridan aquifer, and the water stays around 68 degrees all year. From the railings you can look straight down into the blue. The run from the spring flows out to the Flint River.
Looking down into the clear water
Looking across the spring to the stone arches
The old stone walls, arches and balustrades around the pool are some of the last pieces of the original resort, and on a calm day the white columns across the water reflect right on the surface.
Columns reflecting on the spring
The Grotto and Gazebo
Down the steps from the courtyard, a curved white balustrade walkway leads under huge live oaks to a stone gazebo that sits right at the edge of the spring. This is the shot most people know Radium Springs for.
The walkway down to the grotto
The stone gazebo at the edge of the spring
Spanish moss over the grotto
Benches and Shade by the Water
Past the gazebo, a low stone wall follows the edge of the water, with benches set out on the grass under the live oaks. It's the easiest place on the grounds to sit down and take it in.
Benches along the stone wall
Live oak lawn near the spring
The Casino Courtyard
The Radium Springs Casino once stood on the hill above the spring. Today its footprint is a courtyard garden with raised planters, string lights and paths, and interpretive signs around the grounds tell the story of the resort.
The courtyard where the casino stood
Live oaks and palms around the courtyard
The Casino Gate and Columns
Near the parking area you'll pass the white arched gate from the casino days and a set of columns on a curved terrace. Both have history markers, so take a minute before you head down to the water.
Columns from the resort days
My Visit to Radium Springs
June 2025 was my first and only visit so far. I went solo and stayed for about an hour.
The water is the first thing you notice. It was cool to see how blue it is up close. But the whole time I was there, I could tell this place had been something special years ago. Between the stone walls, the columns and the old casino gate, you're looking at what's left of a place that was probably a sight to see back in the day, when the casino was still standing and people were allowed to swim in the spring.
A Little History
Before it was Radium Springs, Europeans called this spot Blue Springs, and the Muscogee (Creek) people reportedly called it Skywater. In 1925, businessman Barron Collier bought the spring and hundreds of acres around it. Trace amounts of radium were found in the water soon after, and Collier added "Radium Springs" to the name.
The Radium Springs Club held its grand opening in 1927 with an 18-hole golf course, cottages, a spring-fed swimming pool, a boating bay and the casino. Despite the name, the casino was a grand hall with a ballroom, dining rooms and terraces, not a gambling house. The Great Depression cut into visits, and by 1938 only the golf course and pool were still in use. A group of South Georgia businessmen bought the resort in 1942 and kept it going for years after.
A fire badly damaged the casino in 1982, and Flint River floods in 1994 and 1998 did more damage to the casino and grounds. After the floods, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and FEMA bought the property, and FEMA's share went to Dougherty County. The casino was torn down in 2003, and the site reopened as Radium Springs Gardens in 2010.
When to Visit Radium Springs Gardens
- Any season works. The spring stays around 68 degrees all year, so the water looks the same in January as it does in July.
- Sunny days make the blue pop the most and give you the best reflections on the surface.
- Summer: the live oaks shade a lot of the walk down to the spring, but South Georgia afternoons get hot. Morning is more comfortable.
- After heavy rain on the Flint River, check before you drive. This site has flooded before.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Showing up on a Monday. The gardens are closed Mondays.
- Packing a swimsuit. Swimming has not been allowed for years. This is a look-and-walk stop.
- Expecting a hike. It's a garden stroll on paved paths with some stairs, not a trail. Pair it with something else in Albany to fill the day.
- Driving three hours without checking. Hours have changed over the years, so call (229) 430-6120 before a long trip.
How to Get to Radium Springs from Atlanta
Radium Springs is about 180 to 190 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic. Take I-75 South past Macon to Exit 99 near Cordele, then follow GA-300 South (the Georgia-Florida Parkway) into Albany. The gardens are on the southeast side of town at 2501 Radium Springs Road. Parking is in the lot by the old casino gate, and it's free.
Radium Springs Gardens FAQ
What is Radium Springs Gardens in Albany, GA?
Radium Springs Gardens is a free public garden in Albany built around Radium Springs, the largest natural spring in Georgia. It includes the blue spring, the old resort stonework, a courtyard where the casino stood and walking paths.
Can you swim at Radium Springs?
No. Swimming is no longer allowed at Radium Springs. You can view the spring from the railings, walkways and gazebo.
How much does it cost to visit Radium Springs Gardens?
It's free. There's no admission fee and parking is free.
What are the hours for Radium Springs Gardens?
Visit Albany lists the gardens as open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed Monday. Call (229) 430-6120 to confirm before you go.
Why is it called Radium Springs?
Trace amounts of naturally occurring radium were found in the water after Barron Collier bought the spring in 1925, and he added "Radium Springs" to the name. Before that it was known as Blue Springs.
Is Radium Springs one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia?
Yes. Radium Springs is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia because it's the largest natural spring in the state.
Are dogs allowed at Radium Springs Gardens?
Yes. Visit Albany lists the gardens as pet friendly. Keep dogs on a leash.
How far is Radium Springs from Atlanta?
Radium Springs is about 180 to 190 miles from Atlanta, around 3 to 3.5 hours by car via I-75 South and GA-300.
Make It a Full Day in Albany
- Flint RiverQuarium: an aquarium in downtown Albany built around its own open-air blue hole spring exhibit. flintriverquarium.com
- Chehaw Park and Zoo: a big park with a zoo, trails and camping on the north side of Albany. chehaw.org
- Another Georgia spring: Indian Springs State Park in Flovilla, home to one of the oldest state parks in the country.
- On the way down I-75: High Falls State Park in Jackson.
- Another natural wonder: Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Georgia's Little Grand Canyon.
Plan the Whole Weekend
Want your next Georgia weekend already planned? North Georgia Weekends ($79) lays out full weekend trips to Clayton, Blue Ridge, Helen and Lavonia. Just want a day trip? Grab 5 Perfect North Georgia Saturdays ($9.99).
More in South Georgia, or find a trip by drive time.
The Explore Georgia Hiking Club is free, and every pace is welcome.