Madison's Back to Nature Guide
There is nothing like a walk in the woods, a horseback ride, or an early morning paddle to destress, escape and adventure! Madison is home to several incredible spots where you can experience some of Georgia’s best nature scenes and be whisked away from the routines of everyday life. From connecting with the great outdoors in Georgia’s second largest state park to engaging with wild animals at Georgia Safari Conservation Park, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the beauty and adventure our area has to offer.
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Just 9 miles east of Madison, in the quaint town of Rutledge, lies Georgia’s second largest state park, Hard Labor Creek State Park. Grab a boxed lunch from nearby The Caboose or Harvest & Honey to enjoy under the state park’s glorious pines, go paddling on a kayak, play some golf, relax on the beach, and stay the night in the Park’s beautifully appointed and recently renovated cabins. No cell phone required!
Southern Cross Guest Ranch
Southern Cross Guest Ranch is a 17-room inn that is home to well over 150 Paint and Quarter horses. The ranch, which has received accolades from Travel+Leisure and Ladies Home Journal magazines as one of “America’s Best Dude Ranches,” is best known for its exceptional hands-on horseback riding programs, unguided riding opportunities, and an incredibly peaceful, comfortable setting.
While anyone may make a reservation for one of the Ranch’s two daily trail rides, guests of the inn will also enjoy three delicious meals a day, mountain bike and hiking trails, and a sparkling pool for those that just want to rest in the sun.
Rock House Creamery & Gardens
If agriculture interests you, take a tour of Rock House Farm & Creamery, a vintage 100-acre dairy farm and gardens in an area of Morgan County’s most idyllic countryside. You will meet beautiful dairy cows, learn about the creamline milk process, and sample some delicious milk and cheese curds.
Following the dairy tour, the next stop will be the expansive vegetable gardens at The Garden at Broughton. Here, you’ll learn about various facets of the garden and meet the dedicated individuals behind the garden’s maintenance. Expect a hands-on experience where you may even participate in harvesting a few vegetables yourself!
Georgia Safari Conservation Park
If you’re craving a more exotic adventure, look no further than Georgia Safari Conservation Park. Just minutes from downtown Madison, explorers can hop on a safari truck for a guided tour through the Park’s 500 acres. You’ll feel as though you have been transported right into the heart of Africa! Here you’ll encounter a diverse array of African species up close – from giraffes to kudus, white rhinos to zebras, and more.
After a day filled with wild adventure and animal encounters, unwind in style at the park’s luxurious accommodations overlooking a private savanna. Choose from a stay in the Giraffe Suite, offering a unique view of the giraffe and rhino barn, or in one of multiple glamorous, tree-top safari tents.
Burnt Pine Plantation
For visitors seeking to challenge themselves and their hunting skills, Burnt Pine Plantation offers 4,500 acres of land intensively managed for quail, whitetail deer and turkey. The plantation not only offers quail hunting and deer hunting, but pheasant hunting, dove hunting, mixed bag, turkey hunting and fishing.
With an extensive, 26 bed lodge and conference center, this plantation is the perfect spot for hunting getaways, corporate retreats or meetings, family gatherings, receptions, weddings, and simple “getaway from it all” trips to escape the daily grind. There is no “roughing it” at this plantation!
Are you ready to get back to nature?