HIGHLIGHTS: General Coffee State Park is named after General John Coffee, a US congressman, military leader, and planter. The park is known for its rare and endangered species of plants and wildlife, mostly due to the interesting habitat formed in the park. The terrain changes considerably throughout the area, ranging from sandy ridges to moist, swampy lowlands. In addition to the wildlife, the park has a mock-farm that demonstrates early life in South Georgia. The Heritage Farm has log cabins, a corncrib, a tobacco barn, a cane mill, farm animals and other exhibits.
The East River Swamp Trail begins near the picnic shelter south of Jake Lake. The in and out, backtrack hike heads east across the Seventeen Mile River over an elevated boardwalk which allows hikers and their dogs an opportunity to experience the river ecosystem without getting the paws wet. Wading birds and river otters visit the swamp during the wet season, so keep an eye out for wildlife while you cross the river. Hikers that visit during a dry spring and summer may not see the river as it can completely dry up during periods of infrequent rain.
