The Parks of West Point Dam

The Parks of West Point Dam are strategically positioned to offer a variety of locations for enjoying the rich birding opportunities around the dam.   The various parks also offer panoramic views of the lake, notable for winter gulls and terns. Look for loons and other waterfowl in colder months, swallows and Purple Martins in the warmer ones. Bald Eagles and Osprey nest in the vicinity. This is a spot for rarities, including Great Cormorants. Watch the easy-to-see gulls carefully, as numerous unusual gulls can be present along with more common varieties. The wooded parks offer habitat for migrants in spring and fall. Multiple Osprey nests are visible from almost any vantage point. Though these are listed as separate parks, you can treat them as one stop, as they are easy to drive through and all are accessible from CR 212 (Stateline Road). The area below the dam offers good chances to see herons and egrets. Driving over the dam provides close up views of Osprey nests.

The parks are west of the dam on the Alabama side of West Point Lake.   Directions begin at the Alabama/Georgia State Line.  In order, they are:

Hardley Creek Park:

Directions: From the AL/GA State Line, travel N 3.4 mi on CR212 (Stateline Rd) to sign for Hardley Creek Park, on R.

GPS:  N32 54.922  W085 11.517

Hardley Creek Park is below West Point Dam, on the river.  This is a nice stopping area for resting, eating lunch or looking out over the water for Purple Martins, herons, egrets, Osprey and Bald Eagles.   Large population of Canada Geese occupy the area. This is a family-oriented park with children’s fishing pond and duck pond.  Restrooms are available.

Powerhouse Park:

Directions: Leaving Hardley Creek Park, return to CR212 and turn R.  Drive .2 mi to sign for Powerhouse. 

GPS:  N32 55.159  W085 11.413

Powerhouse Park is a parking/viewpoint at the back of West Point Dam.  The park offers a substantial viewing area, providing a different vantage point from which to search for waterbirds.

West Overlook Viewpoint:

Directions:  Leaving Powerhouse Park, return to CR212 and turn R.  Drive .6 mi to sign for West Overlook Viewpoint

GPS:  N32 55.570  W085 11.772

West Overlook Viewpoint offers an opportunity to park on the road that crosses the dam and goes into Georgia, where the US Army Corps of Engineers has a management office and visitor’s center.  The GPS coordinates are for the park on the AL side, just before the dam, where you may park and walk across, if you choose.

The road across the dam is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern time.

West Overlook Park:

Leaving West Overlook Viewpoint, return to CR212 and turn R.  Drive .1 mi to sign for West Overlook Park.

GPS: N32 55.858  W085 12.078

West Overlook Park overlooks the western (Alabama) side of West Point Dam.  Nice stopping area for resting, eating lunch or looking out over the water.  Numbered bluebird boxes dot the landscape indicating a monitored box trail.

Anderson Park:

Directions: Leaving West Overlook Park, return to CR212 and turn R.  Drive .3 mi to sign for Anderson Park.

GPS:  N32 56.152  W085 12.215

Anderson Park also overlooks the western (Alabama) side of West Point Dam.  This is a nice stopping spot with restrooms and informational kiosk.  This is a large park with good surrounding woods, consisting of mostly mature pine and mixed oak. These woods offer up a variety of songbirds and raptors. Fluctuating lake levels allow for walking the shoreline for long distances in either direction.

West Point Management Office
500 Resource Management Drive
West Point, GA  31833
(706) 645-2937

http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/

GPS: N32 55.053  W085 10.734

http://westpointlake.com/things-to-do/birding/