Towpath trail closed from Raw Water Pumping Station to the Headgates. Current open status June 2025. For more information call 311 to speak to a city representative.
Hikers, cyclists and runners regularly head for the Augusta Canal’s wide, level towpath, once used by mules to pull canal boats to the Canal headgates. Additional trails into wooded and urban areas add variety to the outdoor experience.
Trail Etiquette
For eveyone’s safety and enjoyment please:
- Be polite and a good steward of the Canal
- Appreciate wildlife and historic structures; do not disturb
- Remember, the trail is like a roadway; keep right and pass left
- Groups should not take up the full width of a trail
- Faster users yield to slower users
- Don’t litter. Take your trash with you when you leave.
- Keep animals leashed and under control at all times; clean and remove animal waste; remind others to do so.
Trail Rules
- Don’t feed the alligators or other wildlife
- No horses or off-road vehicles (ATVs)
- No alcohol
- No discharge of firearms, bows/arrows
- No hunting, camping or fires
- No loud radios
- A note on motorized vehicles: Only official City and Canal Authority motorized traffic permitted. Pedestrians should be alert for these vehicles
- Do not jump from bridges, bulkheads, docks or any other structures
Bike
Most of the canal’s trails are wide and flat and are suitable for cyclists of all levels. In the upper reach of the canal, surface is mostly sand/clay mix; in the more urban areas, trails are paved. For those up for a bigger challenge, there is the Mountain Bike Singletrack trail, built and maintained by SORBA-CSRA.
Singletrack Rules
- All users travel in the same direction according to the date.
- Odd Dates (1, 3, 5 …) travel clockwise
- Even Dates (2, 4, 6 …) travel counter-clockwise.
- Stay on the trail. Do not go around roots/rocks – this causes the trail to widen.
- Keep dogs leashed at all times
- Leave no trace – pack out what you bring in. Do not litter.
- Helmets are highly recommended.
Trailheads
- Headgates at Savannah Rapids Park
- Water Pump Station, end of Riverlook Drive
- Lake Olmstead, end of Milledge Road (access to River Levee, Towpath, Mill Village trails)
- Mill Village Trailhead, Grace Street near Kroc Center
- Discovery Center at Enterprise Mill
- Old Turning Basin at 13th Street, near Walton Rehab Hospital
Canal Map
Trail FAQs
Headgates to I-20: 2 miles
Headgates to the Raw Water Pumping Station: 3.5 miles
Headgates to the King/Sibley Mills: approximately 5 miles.
Headgates to 13th Street (end of level 1): approximately 7 miles
The Bicycle Peddler, a rental concession and mobile bike repair service is available on weekends at the Headgate park or by appointment at other times during the week (706) 373-4519, thebicyclepeddler@yahoo.com
The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area has become a popular place for organized runs, walks and similar events. Various parts of the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area are under the control of different organizations, so, depending on which areas you are using, you may need to contact them, too. Download a copy of the permission form and rules and follow the instructions.
It depends. Special events organizers may apply for a temporary permit. It must be displayed on the vehicle at all times.