Needham Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Needham Park is a popular recreational area located in Valdosta, Georgia.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is known for its scenic beauty and provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. The park is free to enter, and visitors can enjoy its amenities year-round.

One of the main attractions of Needham Park is its lake, which is popular for fishing. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish, including catfish, bass, and crappie. Visitors can rent boats, canoes, and kayaks to explore the lake or fish from the shore. The park also features several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it an ideal location for family outings and gatherings.

Another highlight of the park is its trail system, which offers scenic views of the lake and surrounding forest. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for hiking and biking. Additionally, the park has a playground, basketball court, and volleyball court, providing plenty of recreational options for visitors of all ages.

Interesting facts about Needham Park include its history as a former World War II military base and its status as a popular filming location for movies and TV shows. The park has been featured in films such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and TV shows such as "The Walking Dead."

The best time of year to visit Needham Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for all seasons. Visitors should be aware that the park can be crowded during peak times, such as holidays and weekends.

       

Weather Forecast

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.
Related References