4 /5 Michael Hogue: A really nice experience - Ive watched this place grow from a mosquito infested swamp with safety risks galore - you used to be able to wander where you will, and fish off the concrete structures - to a nice park, though there are times when you might want to bring your mosquito repellent. Do NOT try to walk across the dam; you might die as many have before (an old timers warning), but from an anglers, kayak, or canoe-ist perspective, the canal offers a nice gentle paddle down into Augusta proper, plus theres the chance you might see an alligator along the way.
During the summer you will find the logs lined with turtles and shallows with hunting cranes. Lovers can bring their locks to attached to the main headgate fence as so many others have done. The "ancient" tech of the old lock, once an important route around the falls (part of the Southern Piedmont "Fall Line") used to connect Augusta, farmers, and cotton / produce markets ranging from Atlanta to Savannah. The Canal has a history of powering Augustas once mighty textile mills, which, after decades of being shut down, are coming back to life as mixed use properties, including Cyberwarfare training centers, engineering outfits, etc.
During the summer it can get really hot & muggy; therefore the best time to tour the park is late late afternoon or early morning in hot weather. Expect a profusion of flowers in the spring, and dont be surprised to see a few deer down in the hollow between the canal and Savannah river. You might even spot a few old shacks "down in thar" - what remains of old fishermens shacks and homeless living quarters until the city drove all the poor out. There IS a major big "shack" right near the canal, but dont be misled: it is a mansion compared to what folks used to live in down there up until about 15, 20 years ago. Part of the city "cleaning up the area" is, of course, to get rid of the poor people & roust them out.
Bring your walking shoes & camera. You can rent kayaks, take a tour boat from Augustas Sibleys mill area, but do not swim. Be aware that if you go down to the RIVER you are taking you life in your own hands. Plenty of people have drowned out there, including some friends, due to slipping on the rocks. The water is more dangerous than it looks.
There is a very nice pavilion available for rentals & wedding & events, the old lock keepers structures have been re-renovated, there are parks for the children, and a cooling off area with mists down by the bridge that crosses the canal. Keep yer eyes out for snakes if you go in the woods, and check for ticks when you come out. You can pick up a dozen in a minute down there in the swamp areas. Theres good fishing down the river, and on the canal, mostly bottom fishing, but other things that swim. Nice place to visit & learn or just enjoy yourself during a family outing, or if youre a photographer/biologist like me, plenty of plenty to do and see.
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