Travel along the best parts of Sweetwater Creek’s most popular trails to form an enjoyable 4.4 mile loop. Rapids, mill ruins, the “falls”, and open fields, the Red and White trails give you the best the park has to offer. Don’t forget to visit the environmentally sensitive Visitor Center for trail information and wildlife displays.

This loop will follow the Red trail to the mill ruins then continue along the White trail to form the loop. The Red trail begins next to the Visitor Center. Restrooms are available here and at the Visitor Center. The parking lot is large but fills up fast on weekends. Follow the Red trail markers down to the creek side, turning right toward the mill ruins.

At .4 miles a bridge leading to a side trail to the left will take you on a pleasant detour closer along the river and the increasing rapids. Just after this are the Mill ruins and the intersection with the White trail. Head down the steps to get a different view of the Mill ruins and rapids. You could continue on the Red trail at the base of the steps; however, this is more difficult, mostly climbing up and down over rocky terrain along the river.

The White trail navigates away from the water, is easily followed and generously blazed. At 1.4 miles you will come to the second intersection with the Red and White trails. Before continuing on the White trail, head down the Red trail to the rock overlook for a wonderful view of Sweetwater Creek and “the falls”, which is more a series of rapids than a waterfall.

The White trail continues to follow Sweetwater Creek for another half mile until reaching Jack’s Branch, which it then follows. Hike another .3 miles, passing but not crossing a footbridge. After climbing a short hill, the trail follows wider old roads. A moderate climb of 200 feet over half a mile will lead you to an old farming community. Although there are a few roads and junctions, all are marked with white arrows. Follow the network of roads while walking through open meadows. The trail eventually ends at the opposite end of the parking lot near the Visitor Center, finishing out this loop.

Also check out the other trails Sweetwater Creek State Park has to offer: Red and White Double Loop Yellow Loop Yellow and Orange Double Loop.