In southern Georgia, Reed Bingham State Park covers diverse ecosystems from longleaf pine uplands to cypress-swamp floodplains. Created by a spillway on Little River, Reed Bingham Lake is popular for boating, fishing, and paddling.
Reed Bingham State Park
2026 Price: $10 per vehicle
Visitors should be on the lookout for alligators, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and vultures throughout the park.
We started at the boat launch, crossing a short wooden bridge to the island.
From the bridge, we spied common gallinules, killdeer, and a great blue heron at the water’s edge.
Little River Trail
A 7-mile network of interconnecting trails winds through the park’s habitats. During our visit, we hiked the 1.1-mile Little River Trail which transitions between pine forests and a blackwater river swamp. Periodically flooded by the Little River, these bottomlands contain bald cypress, tupelos, and spruce pine.
The trail is a mix of natural surfaces and boardwalks. It is an easy hike but there were a lot of large roots in the dirt areas.
Two river observation platforms face oxbow bends. Steps at the second overlook lead down to a lower platform for a closer look at the water.
From the boardwalk, we watched white ibises wander through the trees.
Additional Hikes
Little River Trail intersects with neighboring paths which can be combined to make loop trails.
- Birdwalk Trail roams through 0.8 miles of mixed hardwoods and native ferns.
- Upland Connector creates a half-mile loop from the floodplain into pine forest and wiregrass.
- Yearling Trail climbs steadily from bottomland forest to high river bluffs, taking a 1-mile route for scenic views of the river.
For water enthusiasts, there is also a 3-mile paddle trail in the river for kayaks and canoes.
Reed Bingham State Park offers a leisurely look into Georgia’s coastal plain habitats. Take a short morning hike or spend a long weekend along the water.