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Columbia County, GA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Park hours
Posted at each park
After hours
Treated as trespassing
State law
O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21
County tool
§ 58-3 loitering/prowling
Enforcement
Sheriff's Office

Summary

Columbia County parks close at posted hours, and being in a park after closing is enforced as trespassing. Wildwood Park and Savannah Rapids Park set their own gate and access times through Parks, Recreation & Events.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Columbia County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A person commits the offense of loitering or prowling when he is in a place at a time or in a manner not usual for law-abiding persons under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.

Source: Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.)View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).

Full Breakdown

Columbia County's parks - including Wildwood Park on Clarks Hill Lake, Savannah Rapids Park on the canal, and the community parks around Evans and Grovetown - operate on hours posted by Parks, Recreation & Events. Entry or use after closing is treated as trespassing; exceptions cover county-sanctioned events, reserved facilities, and Wildwood's campground. Boat ramps and trails may keep their own dawn-to-dusk schedule. Once staff or deputies tell a visitor to leave and they remain, it is criminal trespass under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21, and after-hours loiterers can also be charged under the county's loitering or prowling ordinance. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office enforces closures.

Violations & Fines

Remaining in a park after posted hours can be charged as criminal trespass under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21, a misdemeanor, or as loitering or prowling under County Code § 58-3. Sheriff's deputies enforce closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Columbia County parks close?
Each park posts its own hours set by Parks, Recreation & Events. Boat ramps and trails often run dawn to dusk. Check the sign at the entrance for the exact time.
Can I be charged for being in a park after hours?
Yes. After-hours presence can be criminal trespass under O.C.G.A. § 16-7-21 once you are asked to leave, and loitering under County Code § 58-3.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbia County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome Restrictions

All Columbia County rules

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