Located at the base of Blood and Slaughter mountains, and just north of Neel Gap, Blue Ridge Mountain travelers will find one of Georgia's oldest state parks. Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park was one of the first two parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Using land donated by the Vogel family, the CCC built a 600 foot long earthen dam, creating the 22 acre Lake Trahlyta.
   Hosting a variety of outdoor activities, the park is most famous for swimming, boating and fishing. A cool respite from Georgia's summertime heat, cooling off at the swimming area is quite popular. The lake is stocked with thousands of trout each season, complementing area bass and perch. For those not able to sit still, pedal boats and kayaks are available for rent. The shady national forest also beckons with miles of hiking trails. The 12 mile Coosa backcountry trail, an all-day hike, climbs to Coosa Bald and Slaughter Mountain. The moderate Bear Hair Gap Trail loop wanders through the Chattahoochee Forest for four miles, taking hikers about two hours to complete. Nearly level, the Trahlyta Lake Trail is an easy one mile path that circles the lake, leading to views of Blood Mountain and many lake viewpoints. A short spur from the lake trail on the northeast end of the lake leads down the base of the 110 foot Trahlyta Falls, a gorgeous stair-step waterfall. Informal paths follow along the creek bed from the base of the falls, a pathway that's lined with rhododendron and towering trees.
   In addition to the variety of water activities, mini-golf, picnic shelters, a wildflower walk, and the CCC Museum provide plenty of summertime activities for everyone. The Civilian Conservation Corps was key in early development of the park, constructing roads, park buildings and the dam. Today, their handiwork is still seen throughout the park, with 85 year old park-architecture well preserved in the visitor center and cabins. The museum was built in 1996, under the leadership of John Derden, who gathered together many of the CCC tools and photographs. Museum artifacts best illustrate the daily life of the CCC worker at the park, displaying their sleeping accommodations, eating utensils, clothing and meager paychecks.

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