Black Shoals Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Black Shoals Park is a scenic and recreational area located in Oconee County, Georgia.


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Summary

The park is situated on the shores of the serene and picturesque Black Shoals Lake, which offers visitors plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park features numerous amenities, including picnic areas, a playground, a beach, and hiking trails, making it an ideal spot for families and nature enthusiasts.

One of the main points of interest at Black Shoals Park is the lake itself, which is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, crappie, and catfish. Fishing is a popular activity among visitors, and the park offers boat ramps and fishing piers for easy access to the water. The park also features a sandy beach area, which is great for swimming and sunbathing.

In addition to water activities, Black Shoals Park also offers miles of hiking trails that wind through scenic forests and along the lake shore. The park is known for its beautiful wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summer, and for its fall foliage, which attracts visitors from all over.

Interesting facts about Black Shoals Park include its history as a former quarry site, its designation as a wildlife management area, and its status as a popular destination for birdwatching. The park is home to a variety of bird species, including bald eagles, ospreys, and great blue herons.

The best time of year to visit Black Shoals Park depends on your interests. Spring and summer are ideal for water activities, such as swimming and boating, while fall is a great time to enjoy the park's hiking trails and fall foliage. Winter can be a quieter time to visit, with fewer crowds and opportunities for fishing and birdwatching. Regardless of the season, Black Shoals Park offers visitors a beautiful and peaceful escape into nature.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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