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DEL.ICIO.USGreat Outdoors Month, who knew?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The folks at Georgia State Parks sent a reminder this week that June is National Great Outdoors Month. Well, I never knew that in the first place, but it’s nice of them to remind me — and to point out some special events at the parks.
Do you visit our state parks regularly? I think they’re just about the best bargain around for an inexpensive and relaxing getaway. Which one of the parks is your favorite? Has anyone out there been to all of Georgia’s more than 60 parks and historic sites?
You can never have too many excuses to escape to the parks, so here are a few the parks folks supplied from their “Get Outdoors Georgia” calendar. This is a tiny sampling of what’s available. These and other events are posted at http://www.GaStateParks.org
In North Georgia: National Trails Day Celebration, June 1-2, at New Echota Historic Site, Calhoun. Spend Friday night with a “Wildcrafting with Ila” program and learn about Cherokee history and their uses of plants. Saturday, celebrate National Trails Day with guided hikes and demonstrations along New Town Creek Trail. Learn about the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and hiking opportunities available throughout north Georgia. $2.50-$4. (706) 624-1321.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville, June 2: Early morning fishing rodeo for anglers 15 and younger. $3 parking. (706) 265-4703.
Night Hike at Smithgall, June 8, Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge, Helen, Learn about creatures of the night during this guided hike. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.
South and Central Georgia Pine Mountain Trail Hike, June 2, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, ,Pine Mountain. A guided 4-mile hike. www.pinemountaintrail.org. $3 parking. (706) 663-4858.
Alligator Day, June 9, Florence Marina State Park, Omaha. See live alligators and take guided boat tours. $2 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-4706.
Kids All-American Fishing Derby, June 23, Reed Bingham State Park, Adel. Children 12 and younger compete to see who can catch the most and biggest fish. www.kids-fishing.com. $3 parking. (229) 896-3551.
Metro Atlanta Yellow River Bassmasters Youth Fishing Tournament, June 9, Fort Yargo State Park, Winder. Free fishing tournament for ages 5 to 12. Lunch provided. $3 parking. (770) 867-3489.
Saturday Mountain Hike, June 16, Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge. Ranger-led hikes depart from the nature center. Register and pay in advance (this program must have at least five hikers or it will be cancelled). $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Travel in 2007
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By Brian Whitfield
May 17, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
GA has a great park system. I’ve probably visited 75% of them. They are all good. Vogel or Victoria Bryant are 2 of the nicest ones IMO. Not sure if it is still left with the fires and it is really a ‘psuedo national park’ (appears to be ran jointly with the feds) but Stephen Foster is an amazing place in the spring time. GREAT place to canoe. I hope it survives.
GA should be proud of its parks. We have one of the nicest systems around. I hope to eventually see ALL of them.
By hiker
May 17, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Black Rock in Rabun County! Amazing hike, incredible views, beautiful in any season. And a great reason to love GA!
By Aquagirl
May 17, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Amicalola Falls State Park is great. It’s the start/end for a lot of people doing the Appalachian trail, you can hear some good stories. It’s also the trailhead for the Len Foote Hike Inn, my favorite place to stay in the State Parks. We do have a great system here in Georgia.
By Amy
May 17, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
We have enjoyed camping at Ft. Yargo (went swimming in October one year!) and day trips and staying at the lodge at Red Top Mountain. We love the state park experience, but haven’t done it in years. Thanks for the reminder.
By Carri
May 17, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Cloudland Canyon in NW Georgia is very nice. I have not been there for a few years, but the views were spectacular! Hike was fairly easy, but don’t try to see the waterfalls if you don’t do well with climbing stairs.
By carter
May 17, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
The park that we use the most is Hard Labor Creek, it’s a beutiful park with an excellant golf course. MY favorite park is Black Rock Mountain,it’s a park for all seasons it’s just as nice in winter as summer,the views from the mountaintop are spectacular, especially when it snows. We always stay in the same cabin so that at night we can see Clayton lighting up the valley below.
By dawg_gone_truth
May 17, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
I love Red Top Mountain State park, it is so incredible to experience the great hispanic culture. I love the decorations of food wrappers and bait boxes that they have created who knew that stuff would make the ground look so much better than what nature provides. I especially love not having to hear any nature they provide you with free hispanic music, its so great!
By dawg_gone_truth
May 17, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
I love Red Top Mountain State park, it is so incredible to experience the great hispanic culture. I love the decorations of food wrappers and bait boxes that they have created who knew that stuff would make the ground look so much better than what nature provides. I especially love not having to hear any nature they provide you with free hispanic music, its so great!
By dawg_gone_truth
May 17, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
I love Red Top Mountain State park, it is so incredible to experience the great hispanic culture. I love the decorations of food wrappers and bait boxes that they have created who knew that stuff would make the ground look so much better than what nature provides. I especially love not having to hear any nature they provide you with free hispanic music, its so great!
By naturelovr
May 17, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
We go camping quite a bit, and for a very convenient getaway we head toward Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia. Great setting on Hartwell, with tennis courts, miniature golf and good biking. Also, Vogel is always at the top of the list. Nothing quite like the peaceful sound of Wolf Creek! Georgia has some wonderful parks.
By Amanda Miller
May 17, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
I have to agree that Black Rock Mountain is an incredible state park. We had a lovely time there in the spring, hiking a bit and visiting a nearby winery owned by a friend. The views were spectacular, and the cabin nicely maintained and incredibly inexpensive — but then, most of the state park cottages are inexpensive, quite a good travel deal.
By JJ
May 17, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Unicoi State Park right outside Helen. The Lodge at Unicoi is a great place to stay, with a free breakfast buffet for two. YUMMY!!!
By TinaTeach
May 17, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
I got married at the Lodge at Unicoi State park so it will always hold a special place in my heart but my favorite park in Georgia is Watson Mill State Park. It is a tiny park just outside of Comer in Ogelthorpe county. They have great pioneer sites and only a few camping areas (RVs welcome) and it’s just a nice quiet place to go and reflect. It’s not heavily used so the bathrooms stay nice and most people respect the camp sites and other campers. I completely love it there!
By Allen
May 17, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Crooked River way down in (or near) Kingsland is a great place to stay and head out to Cumberland, lazily while away a day, or ride a bike
Roosevelt in Pine Mountain is an easy and relaxing getaway.
And here’s a plug for the cottages at the parks—nicer and cheaper than hotels in many parts of the state.