Ducks in winter. Bald Eagles nest nearby and often visit lake.  Vultures and gulls are often seen in large numbers due to nearby landfill on Walker Mountain. Songbirds and migrating warblers. Virginia rails along boardwalk.

Paris Lake on Georgia Highlands College’s Floyd Campus is a nature lover’s dream complete with fishing and a hiking path full of wildlife. Open to the public from sunup to sundown.

The 55-acre lake is named for Albert E. Paris and his family, an original owner of the property where Floyd Junior College, now Georgia Highlands College, first began nearly in 1970. The lake is situated behind the academic buildings and library.

Visitors can easily access Paris Lake by entering the campus from Booze Mountain Road. The entrance road leads straight to a designated parking area and a sign with lake rules and regulations. A covered pavilion with accessible restrooms is available near the parking area. A gazebo is also available, closer to the academic buildings.

For those wanting to get out onto the lake, visitors are welcome to bring their own boats. However, gas-powered motors are prohibited, so only small trolling motors or paddle vessels are allowed. Swimming in the lake is also strictly prohibited.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty to do outside of the water for guests that prefer dryland. A gravel path loops around the lake at a total distance of 1.85 miles. There is a 20-acre tract behind the campus that has been set aside as a protected natural wetland ecosystem, which includes a 1,200-foot boardwalk and two observation platforms. Boardwalk can be accessed by following a path on backside of the lake near the spillway.  Geocachers should be on the lookout for caches throughout the trail, as well.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Georgia Highlands College. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/paris-lake-loop

Paris Lake Loop. 1.85 mile gravel trail