I pushed off from the Butler’s Bridge kayak put-in, pointed my kayak upstream, and had the South River to myself inside of thirty seconds. The river banks were buzzing with spring insects, birds were swooping low over the water, and the only other sound was my paddle and the current.

It takes me 15 minutes to drive to Butler’s Bridge Park from downtown McDonough. I have made this drive many times over the years on the way out to Ola, but this was my first time turning in at the new park.

My first paddle was just 15 minutes on the water, but the South River gave me plenty to look at. A great blue heron lifted off a snag just ahead of my bow and glided upstream, staying just far enough out to make a point. Turtles lined up on every good log, dozing in the morning sun, unbothered. The current is gentle upstream, the banks are undeveloped on both sides, and the woods close in tight enough that the rest of the county disappears fast. I turned around sooner than I wanted to.

Butler’s Bridge Park is the county’s newest greenspace, 44 acres along Butler Bridge Road that held its grand opening ribbon cutting in late May 2026 after two decades on the drawing board. What got built here is, by the standards of modern parks, beautifully restrained. No playgrounds, no splash pads, no pavilions wrapped in vinyl. What you get is woods, wetland, river, and room to breathe.

The trail system runs 2.4 miles through upland hardwoods. Along the way, small educational pavilions sit tucked into the woods, simple covered structures with interpretive signage about the local ecosystem. They are understated and fit the place. Four primitive campsites sit off the trail for anyone who wants to wake up with the river instead of an alarm.

The trail eventually delivers you to the boardwalk, which floats above the wetland on a long elevated deck, quiet underfoot. Look hard and you might see a yeti tucked into the woods near the boardwalk… From there a woodland path leads to the overlook platform out over the South River. The current moves underneath you and there is nothing but tree line in every direction. I’ve been back many times already, on my own to paddle and with my sons to hike the trails. My boys love the pathways, the wetlands and the river.

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, with free parking off Butler Bridge Road and no admission fee. Bring water and a hat in summer. The put-in has a metal kayak slide and stairs down to the water. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails. The boardwalk gives you a wonderful view of the wetlands.

I love how time slows down out here in the woods by the river. There are plenty of trails, trees, and views of the South River. Slow down and come to explore our new river park. The herons won’t mind a visitor. The river, certainly, is in no hurry.

Butler’s Bridge Park | Henry County Parks & Recreation 1550 Butler Bridge Rd, McDonough, GA 30252 Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Free admission.

By Kemble Hildreth