Recreation

Harris County is known for its natural beauty, fine hunting and fishing as well as abundant recreational resources, including the charming Pine Mountain retail district that offers unique shops, antiques and gift items. Poplar Place Farm offers world-class equestrian events, and a variety of attractions are easily accessible in nearby Columbus, including Port Columbus National Civil War Museum, Coca Cola Space Science Center, and the Springer Opera House, the official Theater of Georgia. The Little White House and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Museum are in nearby Warm Springs.

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park is the largest state park in Georgia and was named for the area’s most famous visitor. President Roosevelt came here often from 1924 until his death in 1945, particularly to visit Dowdell’s Knob overlooking the Pine Mountain Valley, a favorite picnic site. The park has many facilities for group, family and individual camping. The Pine Mountain Trail, located within the park, runs 23 miles from a point near Callaway Gardens along the mountain by the park lodge, and is excellent for hiking year-round.

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain is a 13,000-acre, year-round, world-class horticultural display garden, featuring native flora, fauna and resort, which includes numerous restaurants and over 800 rooms in a variety of settings. The Lodge & Spa at Callaway features upscale lodging and luxurious spa services. Events include Spring Celebration, featuring breathtaking azalea displays; summer fun and Masters Water Ski Tournament at Robin Lake Beach; hot air balloon festival; fall Steeplechase; and Fantasy in Lights, a stunning holiday lights display. Recreational opportunities include fishing, championship golf, gun club, biking, tennis, swimming, walking and seasonal activities and celebrations, as well as attractions such as the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, Day Butterfly Center, Sibley Horticultural Center and more. An array of educational opportunities allows the Gardens to share its mission of providing a better understanding of our living world.

Visitors can get “on the wild side” at the Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park, driving their own vehicles or riding the zebra bus. The park features a petting zoo, serpentarium, special animal shows and other seasonal activities. Special food can be purchased to feed the zebras, camels, monkeys, giraffes and other exotic animals.

Lake Harding is a 5,850-acre Georgia Power reservoir with 156 miles of shoreline on the Chattahoochee River. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Georgia Power operate Blanton Creek Wildlife Management Area jointly. It offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including hunting for deer, turkey and small game. Fishing is also available on the 4,758-acre Wildlife Management Area bordering Bartlett’s Ferry Lake. This area includes approximately 10 miles of Chattahoochee River shoreline and a 220-acre island in the Chattahoochee River. Blanton Creek Park provides a quiet, beautiful site for campers.

The AgriCenter in Hamilton is designed for horse and lamb shows and other agri-business activities. Each fall the Harris County Cattlemen’s Association sponsors a professional rodeo sanctioned and conducted by the American Cowboy Association, and the Ossahatchee Foundation sponsors the Ossahatchee Indian Festival & Pow-Wow, which collectively attracts thousands of visitors.

Each spring, Harris County is host to the Harris County Chamber of Commerce Wheels O’Fire Cycle Tour, a Century Cycle Tour that attracts cyclists from throughout the United States.