Garden Lakes Park
Rate this placeNearby: Parks Hoke Park Ridge Ferry Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Garden Lakes Park is a scenic and popular park located in Rome, Georgia.
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Summary
There are many good reasons to visit this park, including the beautiful scenery, numerous recreational activities, and historic landmarks. One of the main points of interest at Garden Lakes Park is the two lakes that are ideal for fishing, boating, and canoeing. There are also miles of trails for hiking and biking, as well as picnic areas and playgrounds.
In addition to outdoor activities, Garden Lakes Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore the rich history of the area. The park is home to several historic structures, including the 19th-century Thornwood Mansion and the beautiful Victorian-era pavilion. Visitors can also learn about the history of the area at the Rome Area History Museum, which is located on the park grounds.
Interesting facts about Garden Lakes Park include its designation as a Wildlife Sanctuary by the State of Georgia. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey. Also, the park was once the location of the Cherokee Indian village of Chiaha, which was visited by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in the 16th century.
The best time of year to visit Garden Lakes Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most beautiful. However, the park is open year-round and offers visitors many opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
Overall, Garden Lakes Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Georgia. With its natural beauty, rich history, and numerous recreational opportunities, this park is a true gem in the heart of the state.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Parks Hoke Park
Ridge Ferry Park
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest