Hurricane Shoals Park — Attraction in Georgia

Before I go any further regarding this review I want to stress that I have no grievance's toward the staff/volunteers of Hurricane Shoals State Park, they were just doing there job, even if what happened to me was a major misunderstanding.

I visited this park yesterday (July 29th) because I wanted to try filming and photographing the old buildings and scenery that were located onsite (both subjects are interesting to me regarding photography).

I got there with my grandmother (who was reading in my truck when all of this took place) at around 5 or 6pm and was able to photograph the covered bridge, shoals and mill replica before heading back up to where the old buildings were, as I was walking over to where the buildings were (they were across the river to the right from where I was) I was stopped in the parking lot by two staff members on a golf cart who asked me what I was photographing.

I told them that I was just photographing the scenery and buildings but after a moment one of them said, "Are there any kids in your photos and may we see what you have on your camera?" (camera is a 2015 cannon powershot SX50 HS.)

I told them they could look at what I had on the camera and even said that I could delete anything that was concerning to them.

they then went on to tell me that some people had reported me to them and they both then told me, "Well if there's minors in the photos you need to ask permission from the families."

I quickly realized what they thought I was doing so I calmly told them, "I'll be blunt with you sir, I'm not a predator, I'm just a photographer and I can delete what I have on my camera if its concerning to you."

they then told me, "Well everyone says that and we don't need to see what's on your camera so I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave the premises, where's your vehicle?"

I told them it was straight ahead of there current position and they told me they would watch me to make sure I left the property.

I was upset but still complied with there order but before I left I told them that I was glad they were looking out for the other visitors and thanked them for expressing other peoples concerns to me before I walked back to my car and deleted everything I had on my camera shortly after.

I'm not returning to this park due to what the staff falsely assumed/accused me of being.

they could've have signs explaining where filming and photography is allowed or not allowed on site along with who to contact regarding that sort of thing (the only documents I was able to later find online were out of date by roughly 3 to 4 years and seemed to be referring to major film productions, weddings, music videos and professional photographers, not freelance or hobby photographers/filmmakers).

overall if your a hobbyist film maker or photographer (someone like me who does this sort of thing for fun, not for money) then I don't recommend visiting this...

Always beautiful. Coming for years. Since a little girl. My boys have been coming since they were kindergarten age and now teenagers. I layout in the ain there. It's safe, peaceful and beautiful. Fun to swim too. I do think for safety for all there should be signs or awareness about when walking in the river. I can tell who is familiar with swimming there and not. There's certain areas you will slip and fall and get injured i see it every visit. People only walk on the Black Moss in the water!!!! Any orange u will slip and fall!!! Do not wear shoes or watershoes unless you know this. Its important to feel with your feet what you are stepping on. Also so many kids swimming but I noticed a tiny little girl maybe 4 and no parent was close by. Definitely could have been stepped away by river and there are spots deep. I recommend life jackets if you babies are small , even if they are small and can swim , you never know. It's a river. I get it i never wore one and my parents never made me. But I was bigger than 4. One look away the babies can be swept away. Over all it's amazing there. Great places to grill out. Playgrounds, sandy areas near water. Pavillion and even putt putt course and disc golf. Highly recommend...

Update 11/8/2020 Finally made it out there on the weekend. I know I'm going off season. Expected main gate to be unlocked. There's a large parking lot inside but you still have to park out in the main lot and walk in across the covered bridge. It's a nice park. Spent a couple hours here with my family. Plan to come back and spend some more. Think it'd be better during their main season. Was also hoping that there would be rangers or park officials and that the historic buildings would be more open on days that the park was open. I will try again during the summer.

Nice walking tour of the historic homes. I am partially at fault for not checking beforehand but I've never run into a county park that was only open on the weekends. Disappointed my children quite a bit when I showed up and the gates were locked. I called the number on the sign and found out I could at least walk around the historic homes and the people on the phone at the county were very nice and helpful. I'm sure any given day that the park was open this time of year it would be five star. During other time of the of the year the park is open year round. Just checking online before heading this way or making promises...