Activities

The mild climate of Dublin Georgia creates a wonderfull haven for those who enjoy tennis, golf, fishing, or hunting. Discover the numerous parks, state-of-the-art sporting complexes and our equestrian center.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

This self-guided downtown walking tour includes a dynamic look at more than 40 historic landmarks, sites and buildings in Dublin's city center. Featuring a collection of historic photography of each location, this tour gives visitors an in-depth look at the history and culture that shaped the history and architecture in Dublin.

History & Architecture

From the location of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s first speech to a look at a revitalized Civil War era home, Downtown Dublin offers a wealth of history, art, and architecture.

A few of the highlights:

  • First African Baptist Church where a young Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his first public speech.
  • First National Bank , Dublin's “skyscraper,” home soon to Georgia Military College
  • Deano's Italian dishes up Georgia's best pizza in a beautifully renovated historic movie theatre
  • Old City Cemetery where Civil War history rests
  • Fred Roberts where Art Deco-era architecture melds with modern imagination
  • Old Post Office defines excellence in historic preservation and technology

Get your Guide

Printed copies of the Downtown Walking Tour are available in Downtown Dublin at Theatre Dublin and Dublin Carnegie, or at the Dublin Visitors Center just off exit 51 on I-16 by Zaxby's.

You can also download the Downtown Walking Tour Guide .

River Bend Wildlife Management Area

Located just 0.2 miles off I-16 on Exit 58, experience a breath of fresh air while hiking, birding, hunting, fishing and primitive camping at River Bend Wildlife Management Area in Dublin, Georgia. If its nature in the raw you seek, River Bend WMA delivers with true seclusion, natural beauty, and wild creatures galore.

Hunting

Managed for seasonal hunting by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division, River Bend Wildlife Management Area hosts scheduled hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, small game, and waterfowl. Hunts are held one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

For scheduled hunt times and limits, visit http://www.eregulations.com/georgia/hunting/seasons-dates-limits/

Fishing

Formed by a clear-water spring that flows up at the swamp's edge, Troup's Spring Lake provides ample stock of bass, bream, and other game fish. A paved boat-ramp allows easy access to the pond, as well as hiking trail access to Pugh's Creek, which features pristine creek fishing conditions.

Boating

A paved kayak and canoe ramp is available near Troup's Spring Lake.

Birding

The Georgia Ornithological Society and the DNR maintain the South Tract habitat specifically to support the Swainson's warbler, and this area has the largest known concentration in the state. Swainson's warblers may be heard (but rarely seen) at cane thickets near stream crossings at various points along the trails.

Other interesting species sighted:
Swainson's Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler (aka Swamp Canary)
Hooded Warbler
Acadian Flycatcher
Red-Eyed & Yellow-Throated Vireos
Woodpeckers – Pileated, Red-Bellied, Red-Headed, Downy, Hairy, Sapsucker, Northern Flicker
Brown-Headed Nuthatches
Ruby-Crowned Kinglets
Yellow-Billed Cuckoos
Yellow-Breasted Chats
Indigo Buntings
Red-Shouldered Hawks
American Kestrel
Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher
Barred Owl

More Fun

Other amenities near check station in North Tract include:

Primitive camping area

Accessible restrooms with showers

Dog training area

Archery range

Hunt cleaning facilities

Waterfowl impoundment area with boardwalk and scenic overlook maintained by Ducks Unlimited

Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area

Go fish at Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area in Laurens County. Located minutes from Dublin, this 109-acre lake and 640 acres of surrounding terrain is a breathtaking spot managed to provide excellent fishing for anglers of all ages. Major species of fish in the lake include the largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and redear sunfish.

Amenities & Hours

Facilities at Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area include picnic tables, restrooms, a fishing pier, fish cleaning station, covered pavilion, and a concrete boat ramp. The fishing area is open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset.

Licenses

Licensing: To help cover the costs of maintaining Hugh Gillis PFA, visitors (ages 16-64) must have one of the following:

  • 3-day hunting/fishing license
  • Wildlife Management Area license
  • Sportsman's, Honorary or Lifetime license
  • Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP)

To purchase a pass, you can stop by the Dublin Visitors Center Monday-Friday from 8 AM to 5PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM or visit: http://www.georgiawildlife.org/licenses-permits-passes

Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area

  • Old Toomsboro Road, Dublin, GA, United States
  • (478) 272-4002
  • www.beaverdamwma.com/
  • Store Hours:
    24 hours/7 days a week

Experience the best stands of mature bottomland hardwood on the Oconee River at Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area. With over 12,000 acres of untouched beauty, Beaverdam WMA offers hunting, primitive camping, fishing, a firearms shooting range, boat ramp, bird watching and field trail access minutes from Dublin.

One of Georgia's best bird watching sites, it features mainly hardwood forests on the bank of the Oconee River, Beaverdam WMA offers miles of trails for both breeding species and migrants. Many of the trails are driveable and those that aren't are easy walking or biking. Key birds: Swainson's and Prothonotary Warblers, Blue Heron, Kingfisher Louisiana Waterthrush, Common Ground-Dove, migrant warblers, and wintering sparrows.

Anglers rejoice! Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area offers river fishing, a boat ramp, and canoe access to species such as largemouth bass, channel catfish, and redbreast. Hook and line fishing, trotline and jugs, and bow fishing are allowed.

Native wildlife includes white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, gray squirrels, bobcats, river otters, and non-native coyotes.

A Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass is required for nonhunting activities such as fishing, hiking, or camping at Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area. For more information or to purchase a pass, please visit http://www.georgiawildlife.org/licenses-permits-passes

Oconee River in Dublin

Explore the great outdoors at the banks of the Oconee River in Dublin, Georgia. From lazy days spent lounging in its cool waters to the thrill of hooking a bass, the Oconee River is naturally fun!

A Rich History

The beautiful Oconee River is the site of the crossing of Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto and Sherman's Army.

Near Dublin, the river is home of the Rubust Red Horse Sucker, a fish once thought to be extinct.

The Oconee was one of the first Georgia rivers to support inland water navigation, and there are Mississippian-period mounds located along the banks of the river. In 1934, Smithsonian Institute archaeologist Dr. Auther Kelly discovered the mounds, calling them, “the most exciting and wonderful Indian mounds on the Oconee River.”

For an in-depth look at the mounds and Laurens County's extensive Native American history, visit the blog of Scott Thompson, Director, Dublin-Laurens County Museum at Laurens County, Georgia

Fishing & Boating

South of Dublin, rock cliffs can be found. See cranes, wild hogs and other native wildlife!

The Oconee River offers anglers hours of fun. Fish for catfish, large mouth bass, and bream; and plan to launch from Buckeye Park Landing with a park and boat ramp on the river in East Dublin.

Southern Pines Regional Park

  • 575 Southern Pines Road, Dublin, GA 31021, United States
  • (478) 277-5060
  • www.dlcra.org
  • Store Hours:
    Daily from sunrise to sunset

Located 1.9 miles off Exit 51 on I-16, Southern Pines' Regional Park has fun for the whole family! Visit this beautifully landscaped 120-acre facility, featuring a splash pad, Ag and Expo Center with arena for animal shows and rodeos, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, a walking trail, meeting space and picnic areas.

Acres of Fun

Take a break from the interstate and let loose at Southern Pines Regional Park. Kids can explore over 120 acres, romp through the playground, or during the summer months, have buckets of fun at the Splash Pad. Picnic, explore the natural walking trails, or just sit back and relax.

Splash Pad

Enjoy a wet' n wild day in Dublin! From Memorial Day to Labor Day, play in the ankle deep water as nozzles spray jets of water to cool things off. At only $2 per person, load up the kids and head to Southern Pines Regional Park where a bucketful of fun awaits daily Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM.

Tournaments

Southern Pines offers a host of sports tournaments every year. With nationally acclaimed dining, unique shopping, and a variety of lodging options minutes away, Southern Pines Regional Park looks forward to welcoming your team!

For more information, visit Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority

Stubbs Park

  • South Drive, Dublin, GA, United States
  • (478) 277-5060
  • www.dlcra.org
  • Store Hours:
    Daily sunrise to sunset

Pack a picnic and explore this historic park in Downtown Dublin with a pavilion, amphitheater, creek with bridge, lighted basketball and tennis courts, a skate park, and lush landscaping.

Blackwater Outfitters Hunting

  • 1122 Rigby Road, Rockledge, GA, United States
  • P: 478-689-7702

Website | Directions

Hunt over 1200 acres of privately owned pristine virgin timber along the Oconee River in southwest Laurens County with Blackwater Outfitters. Offering guided quail, pheasant, hog, duck, and deer hunts all year long, Blackwater Outfitters provides everything you need. No license is required to hunt, as it is furnished by the plantation. Experienced dogs and guides help insure a successful hunt.

Land conservation practices has conserved the all-natural vegetation with one of the last remaining uncut natural river bottoms along the Oconee River. While here for your hunt, fish from the over 100 acre pond or hike along the banks.

Hunt options

Hog hunts are offered year round, but due to the temperature, the cooler months are usually the best time to schedule your hunt. Blackwater Outfitters offers free-range and guaranteed kill hog hunts.

Deer hunts are scheduled throughout the season.

Duck hunts, quail, turkey, and pheasant hunts are held during season. Please call for dates.

Our plantation lodges include the following amenities:

Lodge: 2 bedrooms with one bathroom, full kitchen, sitting area, and dining area.

Bunkhouse: Sleeps up to 12 with private bath.

Meals are included and snacks are available. Free guest transportation is available to and from WH Bud Barron Airport.

For hunt dates, visit Hunt dates