Discover Candler County: Nature, History and Special Excursions

Candler County combines protected nature, regional history and unusual excursion destinations. Here, you can choose between landscape experiences, historic sites, a safari, golf and culinary discoveries. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred travel focus: Should the accommodation primarily serve as a base for days in nature, cultural discoveries or a journey along the Woodpecker Trail?

Nature between sandhill, flatwoods and floodplain swamp

Charles Harrold Preserve protects 73 acres of ecologically significant land in Candler County. The area includes a sandhill community as well as flatwoods and floodplain swamp habitats. The plant life also gives the preserve its own distinctive character: the silk camellia and the Georgia plume, which is endangered in the state of Georgia, can be found here. Those who want to combine nature observation and varied landscapes during their trip will find a special theme here for planning their days.

There is an important detail for scheduling: In April 2026, Charles Harrold Preserve was temporarily closed to visitors due to ongoing restoration work following damage caused by Hurricane Helene. If you are planning a visit for a later trip, you should check current accessibility in advance.

History in Metter and the surrounding area

The region's past can be experienced at several different sites. The Candler County Historical Society converted the 1921 Metter High School building into a regional museum. It illustrates the agricultural, architectural and cultural ways of life of several generations of Candler County residents. Visits are possible only by prior appointment. A stay in Metter is therefore particularly easy to combine with a visit if you deliberately want to set aside time for a museum tour.

Another notable historic building is Old Lake Church. Built in 1839, it is considered the oldest church in Candler County. The 1928 Metter Commissary recalls the timber industry: in the 1930s, it served as a supply building for timber workers. Today, it houses the local Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce. The South Metter Residential Historic District contains numerous homes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This creates a diverse historical picture ranging from a single church to community development and labor history.

Excursions for different types of travel days

Wild Georgia Safari Park offers a petting zoo and a safari adventure year-round. During the safari, an experienced guide drives a sturdy safari vehicle; at the petting zoo, visitors can touch and feed domesticated farm animals. The park thus combines a safari adventure with a petting zoo that operates year-round.

Another facet is presented by the Another Bloomin' Festival, which has attracted visitors to Metter's downtown park for more than 21 years. The festival includes a bike ride, a 5K run, a one-mile fun run or walk, and a community Easter egg hunt. The event combines physical activity and community life, while Guido Gardens provides a quieter note with waterfalls, fountains, streams and a prayer chapel. Guido Gardens is also the production site for The Sower's television programs.

Golf, regional products and a historic route

Golf enthusiasts will find an 18-hole course at Willow Lake Golf Club, whose grounds were expanded in 1989. Willow Lake is named after a series of willow-lined lakes in the center of the property. The National Long Drivers Association's long-drive competition takes place each year on a 575-yard par-5 hole. Those who would rather end their travel day with regional products can discover seasonal fruit and vegetables, freshly cut meat, and locally made cakes and other treats at Metter Farm Market.

For a road trip, the Woodpecker Trail provides clear orientation. The Georgia section stretches 204 miles from Augusta to Folkston and runs as a scenic and historic route along State Routes 25 and 121. The Metter Welcome Center is located on the Woodpecker Trail at I-16 Exit 104. This point of contact is part of the 1928 Metter Commissary and shares the building with the Chamber of Commerce.

Choose the right accommodation for your travel plans

When searching for a vacation rental in Candler County, you can adapt your choice of accommodation to your preferred daily rhythm. Nature enthusiasts can focus on Charles Harrold Preserve, culture travelers can combine Metter with its museum, church and historic buildings, while a trip involving a safari, festival or golf follows a different focus. Above all, consider which destinations you actually want to include and which vacation rental or holiday home best suits your personal itinerary.

More destinations to compare: Richmond, Colquitt County, Lamar County, Terrell County, Union, Lumpkin County, Putnam.

For the overarching travel overview: Georgia.