Baxley: Forest, Water and History

Baxley brings together nature, water activities, and historical insights. When looking for a hotel in Baxley, you can plan your trip around what interests you most locally: old forests and hiking trails, Lake Mayers, or the history of the region. Getting around is also part of the picture: Baxley is the intersection of two major transportation routes.

Old Forests and Trails

The Moody Forest Wildlife Management Area is home to one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the United States. Its trees include longleaf pines that are 200 to 300 years old and large tupelo cypresses that are more than 600 years old. These ages give the forest a distinctive sense of time: here stand trees whose histories span many generations.

The area provides habitat for rare plants, birds, and animals. These include the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, the gopher tortoise, and the eastern indigo snake. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will find both an old-growth forest and a diverse habitat at the heart of the experience.

The Moody Forest Wildlife Management Area has two interpretive trails totaling more than five miles. Hiking is possible year-round, although trail conditions may vary depending on the season. Take these seasonal differences into account when planning your visit.

Lake Mayers and the A. Randall Tuten Environmental Park

Lake Mayers is a 170-acre lake in Baxley. Activities there include fishing, boating, swimming, and other water sports. The lake has a public beach area, as well as picnic shelters, tables, grills, and restrooms. This makes it possible to plan a visit to the water differently from a hike through the old forest: Lake Mayers is all about lake activities and the amenities listed here. Before you arrive, consider which amenities are important for your visit.

The A. Randall Tuten Environmental Park offers a different landscape, with streams, wetlands, and two ponds. Its facilities also include a floating dock and a one-mile nature trail with a 500-foot boardwalk. At Moody Forest, more than five miles of trails are spread across two interpretive trails; the park’s nature trail is one mile long. The park is used for educational tours and groups of students.

Architecture, Collections, and Regional History

The Appling County Courthouse was completed in 1908 in the Neoclassical style. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of a statewide thematic nomination of county courthouses. The two dates mark different milestones: the completion of the courthouse and its later addition to the register.

The Appling County Heritage Center preserves a collection related to turpentine production and agricultural equipment. Its holdings also cover African American history and genealogy. Alongside the architecture, these offer different ways to explore the region’s past through its working and family histories.

The Tree Fest and Timber Harvesting Exposition commemorates the heyday of turpentine production and river rafting. The event takes place annually; if you want to include it in your travel plans, check the current dates in advance.

For an overview of the wider area: Appling County.