Rental cottage.
If you’re looking for pure natural beauty that is a paradise for any family that loves the great outdoors without all the frills, James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park might be the answer. The park is nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest right outside of Summerville, Ga. and is named in memory of James Floyd, a former state representative from Chattooga County who represented the area from 1953-1974.
The park has two fully-stocked fishing lakes that can provide every level of angler a fun experience of fishing. The park is also home to four picnic pavilions that offer families and groups place to host a birthday party, club meeting or reunion. It also offers picnic opportunities with beautiful hiking trails and paddleboats, canoe or kayaks.
Rental boats and the boat ramp.
The park also has 25 camping/RV sites which provide access to electricity and bathhouses equipped with showers, toilets, washing machines and driers. The camping site includes a playground for children to enjoy.
If tent or RV camping doesn’t suit your camping style, the park has four cottages/cabins that are perfect for extended stay or a weekend get-away. If cabin camping isn’t enough “roughing-it” for you, “pioneer” campsites are also available. These campsites allow for families to participate in the great outdoors without the comforts of modern-day technology.
The park is open year-round.
Small waterfall and pool at the end of the Marble Mine Trail.
It features a couple of trails, but the most popular is the easy 1.7 mile in and out Marble Mine Trail. This was previously the home to a marble mining operation in the 1960s and 1970s. The hike is relatively short and features little elevation climb making it an all ages hike and perfect for kids.
After .8 miles on the trail you come to what appears to be a dead end, but you will see a cave and reflecting pool that has a boardwalk and deck across a small pool. From the boardwalk you can see how the small caves were cut back into the rock during the mining operation.
Though there are no food operations in the park, before leaving the area, take the short drive into the town of Summerville and have a meal at Jim’s Family Restaurant.
Jim’s Family Restaurant.
They have great local food and the atmosphere took me back 50 years and both the cooking and the friendliness were phenomenal to experience!
Despite “Sloppy” Floyd State Park being one of the smaller, lesser-known state parks, it is underrated. It was built around two large ponds with old pines and very little undergrowth, which makes it extremely scenic and located far away from the highways, so it is really quiet and just a special place to visit.
A couple walks the boardwalk.
Photos: by Bill Vanderford
