National Park Service Augusta Canal - Float past 200 years of Georgia history on a replica canal cargo boat, visit the Canal Interpretive Center in a restored textile mill, view the Confederate Powderworks chimney, or hike, bike or paddle along the historic waterway.
Augusta Canal Attractions
Model boatman at Canal Interpretive Center
This award-winning 10,000 square-foot center houses models, movies and working mill machinery. Tickets for Petersburg Boat canal tours sold here.
Petersburg Boat Tours
Daily narrated guided tours aboard open-air boats modeled after the cargo vessels that carried cotton and other crops to markets.
Enterprise and Granite Mills
The 1848 Granite Mill is the oldest mill to begin operations on the canal. After the canal expanded in the 1870s, the large, brick Enterprise Mill was built on the site. Today it houses businesses, apartments and the Augusta Canal Interpretive Center.
Headgates At Savannah Rapids Park - Terminus of Evan-to-Lock Road. Evans, Georgia Directions:From I-20 Exit 200-Riverwatch Parkway. Right on Riverwatch approx. 1 mile to light at Stevens Creek Road. Right on Stevens Creek. 2 miles to 4-way stop on Evans-to-Lock Road. Turn Right. Road ends at park entrance (0.8 mi.). Paved parking is available. Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily
Water Pumping Station: End of motorized access on the towpath Directions:Take upper Broad St to Goodrich St (entrance to King and Sibley Textile Mills.) Follow Goodrich (which eventually changes into a dirt road and the canal towpath.) Parking available east of the raw water pumping station. Canal Access: Pedestrian and bicycles can pass through the gates here onto the towpath. Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily
Lake Olmstead Pedestrian Bridge: End of Milledge Road Directions: From downtown, take upper Broad Street west to intersection with Milledge Road (Lake Olmstead Park). Turn right and take road until it ends (junctions with Lakeview Drive.) Canal Access: Walk or cycle across bridge - Hours: Dawn to dusk
Museum at the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area Interpretive Center at Enterprise Mill, you will learn the stories of people, progress and promise of a unique piece of American history. The Canal Interpretive Center that tells the story of how a city used its waterways
to reinvent itself and define its destiny. The Center has been developed by the Augusta Canal Authority in partnership with the National Park Service. Orientation Film: "The Power of A Canal"
An fascinating 10-minute film is shown at intervals in the state-of-the art surround-sound theater just off the lobby. It sets the stage for your Interpretive Center experiences.
Exhibits
The Hydropower Demonstration Turbine
The waters of the Augusta Canal surge through this demonstration turbine, creating hydro-mechanical power which drives the line shaft mounted on the ceiling. The paddle fan above the gift shop operates directly from the line shaft power.
Braving the Rapids - the Petersburg Boat
•Petersburg Boat Captain and cargo
Building the Canal
•Augusta Before the Canal •Henry Cumming, Canal Visionary •How the Canal was Built
How the Canal Works
•Canal Model •Transportation •Water Works •Waterpower
Augusta Canal Interpretive Center At Enterprise Mill Address: 1450 Greene St, Suite 400, Augusta, GA 30901 Phone: 706-823-0440- ext. 4
Mill & Boom Times
•Augusta's Industrial Triumph •From Cotton to Cloth •How It's Done-weaving process and looms
•Working the Mill-mill work and a mill workers •Wartime Industry-serving the Confederacy
•Pride of the South
Hydroelectricity and the Canal
•The City Electric •Electrifying Enterprise Mill •The Penstock •How Hydroelectricity Works
Boat Parties and Picnics
•Leisure and the Canal Workers' Life •The Company House-Living in the Factory District
•Eviction •Labor vs. Management
New Waters, New Life--The Canal in the 20th Century
•Floods and Fires •What happened to the mills •The last days of Enterprise Mill
•The Canal-neglect and decline •Return to the Waters •The Canal and River Today
•Augusta Happenings
The Canal Gift Shop
Augusta Canal Gift Shop offers “Old Edgefield” Pottery, Molded from clay dug near Augusta Canal’s banks and fired in a hand-built, wood-fueled kiln, Old Canal Pottery revives the 180-year old tradition of Southern alkaline glaze stoneware known as the Old Edgefield District style. Modern-day versions of these grayish-green jars, bowls and face-jugs by artist Gary Dexter featured at the Augusta Canal’s gift shop.
His one-of-a-kind jugs, bowls, storage jars are only available locally at the Augusta Canal’s gift shop. In addition, the Canal’s gift offerings include books, puppets, carved walking sticks, jewelry, nostalgic and educational toys, civil war replica memorabilia, whimsical birdhouses, candles, and local artwork.
For more information on Old Canal Pottery - Contact Gary Dexter 803-663-9349
Canoe and Bike Rentals
Canoe Rental
At the current time canoe rentals are available off-site.
AWOL-American Wilderness Outfitters, LTD, (706) 738-8500. 2328 Washington Road.
AWOL offers shuttle service to and from the canal.
Broadway Tackle & Canoe Rentals, (706) 738-8848. 1730 Broad Street. They require you to pick up the canoe and return
Bike Rental
Chain Reaction (706) 855-2024. 3920 Roberts Road, Martinez, GA.
Andy Jordan's Bicycle Center (706) 724-6777. 527 13th Street, Augusta
Canal Tours
The Canal has a free self-guided tour map which you can obtain from the Canal offices or Interpretive Center at Enterprise Mill or from the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Guided group walking tours can be arranged in advance with the Canal's Park Ranger. Call the Canal office for details. 706-823-0440
Canal and Towpath Lengths
Canal - The first level of the Canal (from headgates in Columbia County to 13th Street near downtown Augusta) is approximately 7 miles. The second & third levels add approximately 3.0 miles but are not navigable. Towpath
•Headgates to I-20: 2.05 miles
•Headgates to the Raw Water Pumping Station: 3.5 miles
•Headgates to the King/Sibley Mills: approximately 5 miles.
•Headgates to 13th Street (end of level 1): approximately 7 miles
Augusta Canal Interpretive Center: Operating Hours & Seasons
•Regular Season (March- November) Mon to Sat, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 pm., Sunday 1- 5:30 p.m.
•1-hour boat tours Monday-Saturday, 10:00. 11:30, 1:30, 3:00; Sunday: 1:30, 3:00
•3-hour sunset tour (times vary by time of year): Mar - Nov. Call to schedule 706-823-0440 ext 4
•Winter Season (December – February) Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 pm.
•1-hour boat tours Monday-Saturday, 11:30, 1:30, 3:00
•Headgates at Savannah Rapids Park: Year round, daily, daylight hours.
Augusta Canal Visit Rules and Regulations
•No gasoline-powered motor craft in the canal •No swimming
•No horses or off-road vehicles (ATVs)
•Bicycles yield to pedestrians. All yield to official government vehicles
•Pets must be on a leash. •Don't feed the alligators or other wildlife.
•No alcohol, firearms, bows/arrows or radios in Canal Park
•Pack it in. Pack it out. Please do not litter.
WARNING: River rocks are slick and Savannah River current is deceptively violent and subject to sudden increases due to releases from upstream dams. WEAR A LIFEJACKET when boating on the river or canal
Fees & Reservations
No charge to visit Park or use trails.
Canal Interpretive Center and Boat Tours are ticketed attractions. Boat tour reservations are strongly encouraged. Call 706-823-0440 extension 4.
• Adult (19-64 years): Center admission only $6. 1-hour Boat tour (includes Center admission) $12, 3-hour tour $20,
• Senior (65 and over), Military, Student (pre-K-12 grade and college with current I.D.): Center admission only $4. 1-hour boat tour (includes Center admission) $10, Three-hour tour $18, (Three-hour sunset tour not recommended for young children.)
• Child (under 4 years): 1 free with paid admission. Small children not permitted on 3-hour tour.
Contact and Address Info
Phone: 866-391-7677 - Address: 1450 Greene Street, Suite 400, Augusta Georgia 30901
Directions
Canal Interpretive Center
1450 Greene Street, Augusta, from Interstate 20, Exit 200 Riverwatch Parkway:
Left on Riverwatch approx. 5 miles to 13th St. Right on 13th St (0.1 mi.) to Greene St. Right on Greene (0.3 mi.) to Enterprise Mill. Canal Interpretive Center Entrance on West (far) side of Mill.
Interesting Augusta Canal Facts
Congress has established 40 National Heritage Areas around the country in which conservation, interpretation and other activities are managed by partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and the private sector.
History
