Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh
Did you know the Peach State offers attractive incentives for film producers? It brings work to Georgia and improves the economy, but it also means that our beautiful state is oftentimes featured as the backdrop in movies. Georgia has adopted the nickname of “New Hollywood” and you can easily visit some of the famous movie scenes. These Georgia State Parks film locations, featuring scenes from Avengers to Hunger Games, are fun for movie nerds to visit.
1. Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge is located in Dawsonville and it’s home to the tallest waterfall in Georgia. Visitors can hike up to the top of the falls, drive up to the top to see the lookout or stay in the lodge. If you visit during the fall season, it’s across the street from Burts Pumpkin Farm. Amicalola is a true North Georgia gem and always worth visiting, but it’s also where two Hollywood films shot scenes.
- “A Walk in the Woods” – starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, and Emma Thompson. The main characters played by Robert Redford and Nick Nolte hike the Appalachian trail, beginning their story at the 8.5-mile Appalachian Approach Trail in Dawsonville at Amicalola Falls.
- “Trouble with the Curve” – starring Justin Timberlake, Clint Eastwood, and Amy Adams. Clint Eastwood stops for the night at this sleepy roadside motel in Dawsonville while on a baseball scouting trip with his daughter, played by Amy Adams, in “Trouble with the Curve” at Amicalola Lodge.
2. Panola Mountain State Park
Panola Mountain is a granite outcrop that stands out as a distinct geological feature in the area. It’s amazing because Panola Mountain State Park preserves the mountain’s natural state. Hike around the base of the mountain, sleep amongst the tree canopies or try your hand at archery. Hollywood saw the park’s natural beauty for two television series and a movie.
- “Cobra Kai” – starring Ralph Macchio on Netflix. Season 1 of Netflix’s break out hit filmed their training scenes at Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge.
- “The Vampire Diaries” – Visit the lake at Panola Mountain State Park and discover why Georgia’s favorite vampires find the reflective waters so entrancing. Driving down Alexander Lake Road at night might look a little familiar to you as well. “The Vampire Diaries” filmed eight seasons of the hit series in the fictitious town of Mystic Falls (aka Covington, Georgia).
- “The Outsiders” – Be on the lookout for the haunted barn. The barn where the clothing was discovered was filmed in the historic Vaughters’ Farmhouse on Klondike Road in Lithonia.
3. Hard Labor Creek State Park
Despite the park’s name, there are plenty of ways to relax at Hard Labor Creek State Park. Whether you’re interested in hiking, golf or kayaking, the park has a way to connect you with nature. The park is just south of Atlanta and it makes the perfect weekend getaway. It’s also one of the Georgia State Parks film locations for a horror movie.
- “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives” – This Georgia-filmed horror movie is sure to scare you, but before you cover your eyes check out the frightening campsite scene that was shot in Rutledge at Hard Labor Creek State Park.
4. High Falls State Park
High Falls State Park is home to one of the most popular family fishing destinations, in High Falls Lake. Cast a line, hike, learn about the area’s rich history and enjoy the tallest cascading waterfall south of Atlanta. With so much beauty to enjoy, it’s no wonder Hollywood loved it for filming a movie in 2012.
- “Jayne Mansfield’s Car” – Billy Bob Thornton and Kevin Bacon filmed scenes for the movie at High Falls State Park in Jackson.
5. Indian Springs State Park
Conveniently located near I-75 in middle Georgia, Indian Springs State Park is one of the oldest state parks in the United States. Visitors flock to the park for its mineral rich healing waters. Walk the nature trails, stay overnight in one of the cottages and wade in the creek. It’s also the film location for a spin-off show.
- “The Originals” – A spin-off of the Georgia-filmed “The Vampire Diaries,” shot scenes at Indian Springs, located in Flovilla, Georgia.
6. Red Top Mountain State Park
Situated on Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park is a great park if you’re interested in fishing, water skiing and swimming. Visitors can bring their own boats or rent from the marina. The park offers overnight cottages to book and yurts. The hiking is a big thrill and maybe that’s what inspired the filming of a thriller movie?
- “Kill the Messenger” – Starring Jeremy Renner, Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia. The thriller movie was filmed at several locations in and around Atlanta including in Acworth at Red Top Mountain State Park.
7. Skidaway Island State Park
Located near historic Savannah, this park borders Skidaway narrows, a part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway. It’s a great park if you’re interested in watching nature. Visitors can see deer, fiddler crabs, raccoon, egrets and other wildlife. It’s one of my favorite state parks and, apparently, one of the more popular Georgia State Parks film locations.
- “The Peanut Butter Falcon” – Starring Zack Gottsagen, Dakota Johnson and Shia LaBeouf. The critically acclaimed feature won more than 20 awards for this touching adventure story. The feature was shot in Savannah including scenes at Skidaway Island State Park.
- “The Beach House” – starring Andie MacDowell, Chad Michael Murray and Minka Kelly. The Hallmark Channel’s adaptation was filmed on Georgia’s Coast with Tybee Island and Skidaway Island State Park as its picturesque backdrop.
8. Sweetwater Creek State Park
Due to its urban location in Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park is very popular with filmmakers. It’s just minutes from downtown Atlanta. The park features a wooded trail that follows the stream to the ruins of a textile mill that burned during the Civil War. The park has used in many Georgia-filmed television series and films. Some titles include “The Resident,” “A Very Loud Christmas,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Killing Season,” “Boy Erased,” “Jungle Cruise,” “Just Mercy” and many more. More notable films include:
- “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1” – One of the most iconic Georgia-filmed productions was “The Hunger Games” franchise. In “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” we saw Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth) explore sections of Sweetwater Creek State Park and enjoy a moment by the river.
- “The Walking Dead” – AMC found Georgia to be the perfect backdrop for their most-watched series “The Walking Dead.” Sweetwater Creek State Park set the stage for the gruesome zombies who were crawling around the Georgia woods and many other poignant scenes from the production that shot 11 seasons in Georgia.
- “Cobra Kai” – Netflix shot a scene from episode seven with Sam and Daniel on a boat.
9. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park is home to one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. The gorge is is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor. The suspension bridge runs across the gorge and creates a spectacular backdrop for photos and films.
- “Avengers: Infinity War” & “Black Panther” – At one time many Marvel films called Georgia home. Tallulah Gorge State Park served as the backdrop for many of them including “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
- “Deliverance” – Starring Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Jon Voight. The 1972 classic film follows adventurers through the rugged wilderness of Northeast Georgia on an ill-fated canoe trip.
10. Wormsloe State Historic Site
This is another Savannah Georgia State Parks film locations to love. Wormsloe State Historic Site was once the colonial estate of Noble Jones. Wormsloe’s tabby ruin is the oldest standing structure in Savannah. Today, visitors can interact with historical interpreters during programs and events, and view a museum with artifacts unearthed at Wormsloe. It’s a great park to learn about Colonial life in Georgia. It’s also where three films were created:
- “The General’s Daughter” – Starring John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, and James Woods. The Georgia-filmed “General’s Daughter” shot at the magnificent tree-lined drive of Wormsloe Plantation.
- “The Last Song” – Starring Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Greg Kinnear. The Nicholas Sparks novel “The Last Song” came to life on the big screen in 2010. The film was a hit at the box office with millions of moviegoers around the world seeing Tybee Island, Wormsloe State Historic Site, and Savannah on the big screen. The lead character Will Blakelee’s family home was at Wormsloe.
- “Magic Mike XXL” – Starring Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello. Georgia’s Coast was also home to the comedy-drama “Magic Mike XXL.” While the film may have been set in Charleston, a private home at Wormsloe Plantation was featured and the iconic image of the tree–lined drive that leads to the Wormsloe Historic Site.