Locate It: Lavonia

Refresh your senses in Franklin County and the city of Lavonia, Georgia. The area’s wild, scenic beauty and abundant recreational opportunities are calling you.

Thousands of people come to Lavonia each year thanks to its location right on Interstate 85 at the Georgia-South Carolina state line. Lake Hartwell and Tugaloo State Park are prime attractions in Lavonia, as well as the city’s parks.

Visitors to 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell enjoy all types of water sports including skiing, boating, sailing, jet skiing, and canoeing. Boat rentals are available from Harbor Light Marina and Harbor Light Marina South, both on the lake in Lavonia. The natural sand beaches along the shoreline are perfect for swimming, picnicking, or just relaxing.

Lake Hartwell is a magnet for those who love to fish for largemouth bass, hybrid bass, black crappie, rainbow trout, bream, and walleyed pike. The six-lane mega ramp at Tugaloo State Park has hosted numerous bass fishing tournaments over the years.

Lake Hartwell is also a fantastic place for birdwatching. More than 250 species of birds inhabit the area regularly. You can see anything from wild turkey and Canadian geese to the endangered peregrine falcon and American bald eagle.

Situated on a wooded peninsula, Tugaloo State Park’s cottages, yurts, and most campsites offer spectacular views of Lake Hartwell in every direction. Some cottages even have private boat docks for overnight guests. Tent campers can choose between the developed campground or primitive sites a short walk from the parking area.

Four miles of trails are open to hikers at the park. Both the 3.6-mile Sassafras and 0.7-mile Muscadine hiking trails at Tugaloo State Park wind through oak, walnut, mulberry and cherry trees. Other activities at the park include geocaching, horseshoes, mini-golf, tennis, and volleyball. Kayaks and canoes can be rented at the park on a seasonal basis.

Local parks in Lavonia include Lavonia Memorial Park, Vanna Bowers Vandiver Park, and Weldon Park. Lavonia Memorial Park is behind City Hall and has walking trails, picnic shelters and tables with grills, and nearby tennis courts. It was built to honor veterans of WWII, and is a site for various events such as free outdoor summer movies. Vanna Bowers Vandiver Park, off Highway 59 toward Carnesville, has a picnic shelter, tables, and a barbecue pit. Weldon Park on East Main Street has a covered gazebo that is the site of many city celebrations.

Not far from Lavonia is Franklin County’s second state park, Victoria Bryant State Park. This park has facilities ranging from picnic sites and a swimming pool to an 18-hole golf course and campground. A beautiful stream flows through the park, providing the perfect setting for an after-picnic stroll. The park has eight miles of trails; hikers can follow either the short nature trail or the longer perimeter trail that winds through the hardwoods. Animal lovers should keep an eye out for wildlife while passing food plots along the perimeter trail.

Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park offers 18 holes of great value golf. The course is built on steep rolling hills with broad, crowned Bermuda fairways leading to generous, sloping Bermuda greens. But don’t let the course’s beauty fool you; Highland Walk is a challenging course that requires accurate shot-making to score well.