West River Swamp Trail

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 West River Swamp Trail begins in the southern portion of General Coffee State Park just past the Heritage Farm at the picnic shelter. The trail follows blue blazes as it makes a 1.4 mile in and out backtrack hike along the Seventeen Mile River heading northwest past Jake and Dan Lake. For those who wish to make this an overnight adventure, there are 50 campsites and 6 cottages in the park. In addition, the Burnham House, an elegantly decorated 19th century cabin with hand-stitched quilts and Persian rugs is another option. Dogs are not allowed in the majority of the cottages but are allowed in other areas of the park as long as they are on a leash of no longer than six feet. Recently, a single dog-friendly cottage was made available to the public for an extra fee (on top of the normal cottage rates.)