Stephens County Foundation

The Stephens County Foundation is based in Toccoa, a city in the northeastern corner of Georgia.  Incorporated in 2002,  the Foundation owns and operates Tugaloo Bend Park, which opened to the public in 2009.

Tugaloo Bend Park is a treasure located within the Tugaloo Corridor, which encompasses a ten mile stretch of the Tugaloo River in northeastern Stephens County.  The Park is available to the public for relaxation, entertainment, education and enjoyment. Situated on eighty-seven acres of rewilded woodland along the Tugaloo River, the Park features four miles of walking trails, native wildflowers, wetlands and wildlife.  It is the former site of the Cherokee village of Estatoe. The Park is maintained by a group of volunteers.

 Each year community and family oriented activities take place in the Tugaloo Corridor.  The Tour de Tugaloo is now in its 19th year and has hosted over 500 registered bicycle riders in previous years.  The Memorial Day Weekend River History Tour has become so popular that more annual River Tours have been added during the summer. 

The Tugaloo River Water Trail opened to the public in 2019.  Sponsored by the Foundation, the Water Trail passes through the Tugaloo Corridor for approximately ten miles, from Yonah Dam Park to Stephens County Park.  A River History Tour takes place each spring and paddlers gather at the end of summer for a Labor Day Sunset Paddle.  Canoe and kayak rentals are available at Tugaloo Bend Park.