You'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in and around Washington-Wilkes. State parks offer both natural beauty and historic treasures, giving you the perfect setting for camping, hiking, and picnicing. The area is rich in wildlife, and nearby Clarks Hill/Thurmond Lake provides a beautiful backdrop for a day of fishing or boating.

AONIA PASS

Racers from all over the world come to compete in off-road racing activities for prizes and money. In 2003 Aonia Pass held it's first running of the General GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) series. Many racers bring camping or motor home equipment for lodging at the tract or stay in one of Washington's premier accommodations. Racers of all skill levels can race. Visit aonia-pass-mx.com for more information. View WJBF footage of Aonia Pass: Thousands Flock To Washington, GA for Motocross Event

Aonia Pass Motocross 3030 Thomson Rd. (US Hwy 78) Washington, GA 30673 706.678.3737 aonia-pass-mx.com

CLARKS HILL/THURMOND LAKE

Lake provides 71,100 acres of opportunity for the angler. Thurmond Lake's fish species include largemouth bass, bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and hybrid bass. Numerous boat ramps, fishing piers, and bank fishing areas provide experienced and novice anglers with ample fishing opportunities. Deep water fish attractors are marked with an information buoy. For boaters, navigational charts are available from the visitor center or may be purchased from local bait and tackle shops and via the Internet at www.lakesusa.com. For a fishing guide, contact Walker Guide Service at (706) 678-3652 to show you the favorite fishing spots.

FORT WASHINGTON PARK

Fort Washington Park consists of six beautifully wooded acres with a creek, walking trails, benches, and picnic tables. It is conveniently located just off of downtown behind the Wilkes County Courthouse. The park is at the approximate site of one of the forts built by the earliest settlers of Washington. Open year round.

HUNTING

Wilkes County is rich in land and wildlife for hunting. Many timber companies in the area, as well as individual land owners, lease land to hunters during the hunting season. If you prefer a planned hunt, contact Scrub Oak Hunting Preserve at 706- 274-3321. There are also approximately 55,500 acres of public land around Clarks Hill/Thurmond Lake suitable for hunting, including more than 26,000 acres of project lands leased to the Georgia and South Carolina Departments of Natural Resources for wildlife management. A map showing the location of project lands suitable for hunting is available at the Thurmond Lake Visitor Center. All state hunting regulations apply to project lands. Hunters must possess a valid hunting license and permits for the state they are hunting in. For state hunting regulations and wildlife management area information, visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Web page at www.ganet.org/dnr/. The use of motorized vehicles, including four wheelers, off designated roadways is prohibited.

NEARBY STATE PARK

A.H. STATE HISTORIC PARK

456 ALEXANDER STREET NORTH CRAWFORDVILLE, GA 30631

Reservations: 800.864.7275 Park 706.456.2602

www.gastateparks.org/info/ahsteph/

This quiet site combines the recreational fun of a state park with the educational resources of a historic site. Named after the vice president of the Confederacy and Governor of Georgia, A.H. Stephens State Historic Park features a Confederate museum with one of the finest collections of Civil War artifacts in Georgia, including uniforms and documents. Stephens' home, Liberty Hall, is renovated to its 1875 style, fully furnished and open for tours. Beautiful outdoor facilities make this park a treat for both nature lovers and history buffs. The lakeside group camp is a popular location for large overnight gatherings. Admission: $1.50-$3.

HISTORIC SITE HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-5PM Sunday 2-5PM Closed Monday (except holidays), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

FACILITIES - 1,177 Acres - 25 Tent, Trailer, RV Campsites ($16-$18) - 4 Cottages ($65-$85) - 3 Picnic Shelters ($30-$40) - Group Shelter (seats 80, $90) - 2 Fishing Lakes ~~ 1 acre and 18 acres - Junior Olympic Pool (fee) - Group Camp (sleeps 120, $500) - Pioneer Campground ($20 and up)

ACTIVITIES - Fishing - boat rental - Boating - private boats permitted, electric motors only - 3 miles of walking trails, one ADA accessible trail - Horseback Riding - 12 miles of trails, no horse rentals - Pedal Boat Rental

DIRECTIONS: - Located north of I-20 near Crawfordville. - Take exit #148 and go north on Ga. Hwy. 22 for 2 miles. - Go east on U.S. Hwy. 278 1 mile and follow signs.

NEARBY STATE PARK

ELIJAH CLARK STATE PARK

2959 McCORMICK HIGHWAY LINCOLNTON, GA 30817

Reservations: 800.864.7275 Park 706.359.3458

www.gastateparks.org/info/elijah/

Located on the western shore of 70,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake, this park is named for a frontiersman and Georgia war hero who led pioneers during the Revolutionary War. A renovated and furnished log cabin museum displays furniture, utensils and tools circa 1780 and is open for weekend tours April through November. Visitors can also view the graves of Clark and his wife, Hannah. Anglers and boaters will especially enjoy the park's location on the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. Cottages are located on the lake's edge, and the spacious campground is nestled into the forest.

HISTORIC SITE HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-5PM Sunday 2-5PM Closed Monday (except holidays), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

FACILITIES - 447 Acres - 165 Tent, Trailer, RV Campsites ($20-$22) - 20 Cottages ($70-$100) - 5 Picnic Shelters ($30) - 2 Group Shelters (seat 60 and 175, $160-$175) - Swimming Beach - Playgrounds - Log Cabin Museum - Fishing Pier - Pioneer Campground ($25 and up)

ACTIVITIES - Boating and Skiing - 4 ramps - Fishing - cleaning station, accessible dock - Swimming - Hiking - 3.75 miles of trails of nature trails - Picnicking - Miniature Golf - Shuffleboard

DIRECTIONS: - Located 7 miles northeast of Lincolnton on U.S. Hwy. 378