Like many of Georgia’s incredible parks, Hard Labor Creek State Park offers a wide range of outdoor fun in a gorgeous setting. BUT. It’s an extra cool park for history buffs, horror movie fans, and ghost chasers. The grounds were once the site of a massacre and the park was a filming location for 1986’s Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. Check out Camp Crystal Lake (LOL, or “Camp Forest Green” in Jason Lives), then enjoy the rest of the park’s trails and activities.
Location
Hard Labor Creek State Park is located right by Rutledge, GA, in between Madison and Covington. It’s about a 40 minute drive from Athens or 50 minutes from Atlanta.
Hours: 7 a.m. to- 10 p.m. The office is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $5, or included with a Georgia State Park Pass (tip: borrow a Park Pass from your public library!)
Kayak and Canoe Rentals: $10 per hour
History
During the 19th century, much of the land that is now Hard Labor Creek State Park was ceded by indigenous people to the United States in order to settle “debts.” On November 6, 1813, Creek Native Americans attacked farmers in the region, with reports suggesting around nine deaths. Eventually, the Creek tribe would be driven from their land by Andrew Jackson. Read more about the Morgan Massacre here.
In 1934, the park was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. The park was a massive undertaking, with CCC workers planting 850,000 trees and creating two lakes, including Lake Rutledge. Today, you can see many of the original structures of the park including Camp SP-8, the only remaining CCC camp in Georgia.
Hard Labor Creek gets its name from either the slaves who worked the land or the Native Americans who found the creek difficult to cross. Today, campers at Lake Rutledge will describe seeing ghosts on the grounds: one is an an angry man who stomps through the campsites, knocking on cabins and slamming doors; the other is the ghost of a young boy who went missing in 1973. He has been seen playing with a red ball and laughing.
Jason Lives Filming Location: Camp Daniel Morgan
For Friday the 13th fans, the park’s coolest spot is Camp Daniel Morgan. The cabins and dock remain largely untouched from their Jason Lives days and you can actually rent the entire camp for a dream movie slumber party! The last time I checked, it was $500 a night, with a two night minimum. That’s actually not bad if you can split it with a bunch of friends – the camp holds 75 people!
When I visited, the space wasn’t booked and park staff graciously gave me access to explore on my own. The camp has also been featured in Summer of My German Soldier (1978), Little Darlings (1980), Poison Ivy (1985), and Fear Street Part 2: 1978 (2021). Camp Rutledge (around the lake) can be seen in They/Them (2022).
Check out a couple other Jason Lives filming spots nearby:
- The Covington Cemetery off Highway 278 E: the wrought iron gates are gone, but this is where Tommy resurrects Jason.
- 1174 Monticello St SW, Covington, GA 30014: the police station where Tommy and Megan escape. This used to be the Porter Memorial Library and is now a supply store.
Camping and Lodging
The park has plenty of camping options including RV and tent sites, pioneer campsites, and cabins (the cabins look reeeally nice!). Heads up, these also have a two-night minimum. I recently scoped out the pioneer sites for a future trip – Campsite 2 is the first on the road, with a bend before Campsites 3 and 4 which are visible to each other.
Outdoor Activities at Hard Labor Creek
Hard Labor Creek has lots of cool :
- Mini-Golf: Enjoy a round of mini-golf right by the Visitor Center
- Golfing: 18 holes of scenic golf across well maintained grounds. Call 706-557-3006 for tee times and fees.
- Hiking: 20+ miles of lakeside and forest trails. I recommend the Blue Trail (5.3 miles, rated moderate)
- Biking and Horseback Riding: Designated trails for mountain bikers and equestrians
- Kayaking and Canoeing: Paddle around the serene Lake Rutledge – $10/hour for rentals.
- Shoals Creek Beach: The park’s lakeside beach – great in the summer
- The Hard Labor Creek Observatory: Operated by Georgia State University, the observatory hosts public events from March to October. Check their Facebook page for events.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re in the area, you’ve got some great side-trip options:
- Madison, GA: A picturesque southern town with a charming, historic downtown. While you’re there, grab a delicious French baked good at the Patisserie on Main.
- Rock Eagle Effigy Mound: About 30 minutes away is an ancient stone mound shaped like an eagle, believed to date back 1,000 years.
- Athens, GA: My town and (in my humble opinion) the best town on Earth.
Jason Lives is one of my favorites in the franchise. It starts off like a classic monster movie, has lots of goofy kills, and the showdown on the lake is epic. Hard Labor Creek State Park is the perfect destination for spooky season – it’s got history, ghosts, slasher nostalgia and nature. Something for everyone!
