Piedmont
Round Oak, GA 31038
Plan Your Visit
Established in 1938, Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is open to wildlife-dependent recreational activities such as hiking, biking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hunting. See the "Activities" section below for details on specific recreation types.
Access to most parts of the refuge is by gravel roads and foot travel paths. There are over 50 miles of refuge gravel roads that are open to vehicle travel most of the year. Hiking on the refuge is enjoyable throughout the year. Over seven miles of walking trails are available. Trail maps are available at the Visitor Center.
The Piedmont Refuge Visitor Center is located on Allison Lake Road. It contains exhibits describing refuge wildlife and habitats. It is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. except on federal holidays. Due to limited staffing, hours may vary.
Refuge permits are required for all hunters and fishermen and anyone who accompanies them. See hunting and fishing activity pages for more information.
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is located in central Georgia in Jones and Jasper Counties, approximately 25 miles north of Macon and 18 miles east of Forsyth. From I-75, take Exit 186 in Forsyth and drive east on Juliette Road for 18 miles. An alternate route is GA Highway 11, between Gray and Monticello. Just north of Round Oak on Hwy 11, turn west on Round Oak-Juliette Road and proceed 3 miles to Allison Lake Road. The refuge office is located on Allison Lake Road.
Activities
About
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 to demonstrate that wildlife could be restored on worn out, eroded lands. Today, the 35,000-acre refuge has returned to a forest state hosting loblolly pines and hardwoods along creek bottoms. It provides a vital habitat for migrating waterfowl and the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker. The refuge serves as a model of forest management for wildlife and is managed alongside Bond Swamp and Mountain Bogs refuges.
