Long before the first tinge of red and yellow appears on Georgia's maples and poplars, leaf lookers begin their annual quest to find the brightest and best fall foliage.

Before heading out, take a look at the state parks' new Leaf Watch 2004, an online guide to when and where to see the leaves at their peak. The site, at www.gastateparks.org, will be updated regularly — until the last leaf drifts to the ground.

CURTIS COMPTON/staff (ENLARGE)
Fort Mountain State Park in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Chatsworth is among the most popular spots in the state for leaf watching.
RICH ADDICKS/staff (ENLARGE)
Vogel State Park, one of Georgia's oldest and most popular, offers a rich fall palette.
EMAIL THIS PRINT THIS MOST POPULAR

"Predicting Mother Nature is difficult, especially when it comes down to determining when leaves will be at their peak color," said Brian Ensley, park manager of Moccasin Creek State Park. "We are creating Leaf Watch to provide park visitors with the most up-to-date information on the leaf season."

During September and October, head to the Georgia mountains to see a canopy of brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. Sumac, birch, dogwood and maple leaves transform into vivid shades of red, while the orange hues of the sugar maple pair with the yellows of the hickory, poplar and oak trees.

Popular fall activities include hiking and biking on more than 160 miles of scenic nature trails, horseback riding through the forest, and interpretive programs.

Some of the most popular spots for leaf peeping are: Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville; Black Rock Mountain State Park, Mountain City; Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn; Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth; Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls; the Lodge at Smithgall Woods, Helen; Unicoi State Park and Lodge, Helen; and Vogel State Park, Blairsville.

Because these parks tend to be crowded on fall weekends, visitors may want to check out lesser-known parks. Visit Victoria Bryant State Park near Gainesville for picnics along the river and hiking through the forest. Northwest Georgia's James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park in Summerville features new cottages nestled in hardwoods above a lake.

At F.D. Roosevelt State Park east of Pine Mountain, hikers can trek the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, which winds through a mix of changing hardwoods and evergreen pines. High Falls State Park north of Macon offers less-traveled trails just west of the Towaliga River. Tugaloo and Hart state parks have wooded hiking trails near Hartwell Lake.

Most leaf enthusiasts don't think about heading south for good foliage, but in late October through November, the needles on the moss-laced cypress trees turn golden-orange and reflect off lakes and black swamp waters. Some of the state's most secluded state parks are in South Georgia. Guests can canoe on Lake Eufaula at Florence Marina State Park, the lake at George L. Smith and Lake Seminole at Seminole State Park, or take a guided boat tour through the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen C. Foster State Park.

More than 2,400 campsites, 368 cottages and seven hotel-style lodges in 48 state parks provide a variety of affordable lodging options. While cottages are already booked solid in the mountains on weekends, some are available on weekdays and southern Georgia cottages are still available. State park cottages book 11 months in advance, especially during leaf season. (Hint: Go ahead and book for next year.)

Information: 1-800-864-7275, www.gastateparks.org.