State parks charge a $3 parking fee except for Tallulah Gorge, where the fee is $4. Most of the parks have special events and programs through the summer. Check the park Web sites for details.
A. H. Stephens State Historic Park. 456 Alexander St. North, Crawfordville. Named after the vice president of the Confederacy and governor of Georgia, the park features a Confederate museum with Civil War artifacts, including uniforms and documents. Stephens' home, Liberty Hall, is renovated to its 1875 style, fully furnished and open for tours. The lakeside group camp can accommodate large overnight gatherings. Activities include fishing, camping, swimming, boat rental and hiking. 706-456-2602, gastateparks.org/info/ahsteph.
Amicalola Falls State Park. 240 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville. State lodge and park adjacent to the 729-foot Amicalola Falls. An eight-mile approach trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. Activities include camping and trout fishing. 706-265-4703, gastateparks.org/info/amicalola.
Black Rock Mountain State Park. 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City. The highest state park in Georgia boasts scenic overlooks with 80-mile vistas of the Southern Appalachians. Hiking trails wind past wildflowers, cascading streams, small waterfalls and lush forests. Activities include camping and lake fishing. 706-746-2141, gastateparks.org/info/blackrock.
Bobby Brown State Park. 2509 Bobby Brown State Park, Elberton. Located on 70,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake, the park offers boating, water-skiing and fishing. Yurts, which are like tents made of canvas and wood, provide an unusual camping experience. Canoe and fishing boat rental available. 706-213-2046, gastateparks.org/info/bobbybrown.
Cloudland Canyon State Park. 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into Lookout Mountain by a creek. Visitors who hike to the bottom of the gorge (including a 600-step staircase) find two waterfalls cascading over layers of sandstone and shale into pools below. Activities include camping and tennis. 706-657-4050, gastateparks.org/info/cloudland.
Crooked River State Park. 6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Marys. Set in a coastal marsh, the park offers trails, a nature center, saltwater fishing and more. Nearby is the ferry and visitor center for Cumberland Island National Seashore. 912-882-5256, gastateparks.org/info/crookriv.
Elijah Clark State Park. 2959 McCormick Highway, Lincolnton. The park on the western shore of 70,000-acre Clarks Hill Lake features a re-created log cabin museum displaying furniture, utensils and tools circa 1780 that is open on weekends April through November. Activities include swimming, boating, fishing and miniature golf. 706-359-3458, gastateparks.org/info/elijah/.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park-Pine Mountain. 2970 Ga. 190, Pine Mountain. Georgia's largest state park is located near Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs. Several structures in the park were built by President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps. The park includes Pine Mountain with a 23-mile mountain trail. Other activities include boating, swimming and miniature golf. 706-663-4858, www.georgiastateparks.org/info/fdr.
Florence Marina State Park. Ga. 39, Omaha. Located at the northern end of 45,000-acre Lake Walter F. George, the park is adjacent to a deep-water marina with a fishing pier, boat slips and boat ramp. Other activities include birding and miniature golf. 229-838-6870, gastateparks.org/info/flormarin.
Fort Mountain State Park. 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the park takes its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall. Activities include swimming, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding (rental available). 706-422-1932, gastateparks.org/info/fortmt/.
Fort Yargo State Park. 210 S. Broad St., Winder. The park between Atlanta and Athens surrounds Marbury Creek Reservoir, a 260-acre lake with a swimming beach, fishing areas and boat ramps. Many campsites are near the water, and hiking trails follow the shore. The park's Will-A-Way Recreation Area, designed for visitors with disabilities, includes a group camp, picnic and fishing areas, and paved trail. 770-867-3489, gastateparks.org/info/ftyargo.
General Coffee State Park. 46 John Coffee Road, Nicholls. The park's Heritage Farm showcases the state's agricultural history with log cabins, a corn crib, tobacco barn, cane mill and other exhibits. Other activities include hiking, fishing and boating. 912-384-7082, gastateparks.org/info/gencoffee.
George L. Smith State Park. 371 George L. Smith State Park Road, Twin City. The main attraction is Parrish Mill, a combination grist mill, sawmill, covered bridge and dam built in 1880 and open for tours. Other activities include hiking, canoeing and fishing. 478-763-2759, gastateparks.org/info/georgels.
George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge. 330 Bagby Parkway, Fort Gaines. Located on Lake Walter F. George in southwest Georgia, this resort park features a 60-room lodge and 18-hole Meadow Links Golf Course. 1-877-591-5575, gastateparks.org/info/georgetb.
Georgia Veterans State Park. 2459 U.S. 280 West, Cordele. An 18-hole golf course and pro shop, along with 8,600-acre Lake Blackshear, make this a popular destination. The SAM Shortline Excursion Train runs through the park on its way from Cordele to Plains. 229-276-2371, gastateparks.org/info/georgiavet.
Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park. 322 Park Lane, Reidsville. Picnic tables and shelters surround a small lake where visitors can rent pedal boats and fishing boats. 912-557-7744, gastateparks.org/info/gordonalt.
Hamburg State Park. 6071 Hamburg State Park Road, Mitchell. A restored 1921 water-powered grist mill grinds corn meal on an intermittent schedule for sale at the country store. Activities include fishing and boating in Hamburg Lake. 478-552-2393, gastateparks.org/hamburg.
Hard Labor Creek State Park. Knox Chapel Road, Rutledge. While the park may be best known for its golf course, The Creek, its other attractions include a lakeside beach. hiking trails and an observatory open one Saturday a month, March through October. 706-557-3001, gastateparks.org/info/hardlabor.
Hart State Park. 330 Hart State Park Road, Hartwell. Though Lake Hartwell has taken a hit from the drought, fishing and boating remain accessible from the park. 706-376-8756, gastateparks.org/info/hart.
High Falls State Park. 76 High Falls Park Drive, Jackson. All that remains of the once-thriving 19th-century town of High Falls near a waterfall on the Towaliga River is the foundation of a grist mill. A campground, picnic areas and canoe rental are available. 478-993-3053, gastateparks.org/info/highfall.
Indian Springs State Park. 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla. Creek Indians valued the healing powers of the springs, and Indian Springs was a bustling resort in the 1800s. A museum (hours limited) highlights the area's history. Activities include fishing, swimming, boating and miniature golf. 770-504-2277, gastateparks.org/info/indspr.
James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park. 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road, Summerville. Two stocked lakes are the focal points of park activities. Visitors can take leisurely hikes along three miles of lake loop trails and relax in swings along the way. 706-857-0826, gastateparks.org/info/sloppy.
John Tanner State Park. 354 Tanner's Beach Road, Carrollton. West Georgia park known for its large sand beach. Activities include camping, picnicking, miniature golf, volleyball and horseshoes. Six motel-type units are available near the beach. 770-830-2222, gastateparks.org/info/jtanner.
Laura S. Walker State Park. 5653 Laura Walker Road, Waycross. Located near the northern edge of Okefenokee Swamp, the park is home to exotic flora and fauna, including alligators, carnivorous plants and gopher tortoises. It also has a championship 18-hole golf course. 912-287-4900, gastateparks.org/info/lwalker.
Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge. P.O. Drawer 149, McRae. Amenities include an 18-hole golf course. Activities include hiking, camping and tennis. 229-868-7474, gastateparks.org/info/liocmulgee.
Magnolia Springs State Park. 1053 Magnolia Springs Drive, Millen. Known for its crystal clear springs, the park also has a freshwater aquarium and a 28-acre lake for fishing and boating. 478-982-1660, gastateparks.org/info/magspr.
Mistletoe State Park. 3725 Mistletoe Road, Appling. Known for its bass fishing, the park is on Clarks Hill Lake near Augusta. The park has 10 cottages on the lake, and the campground is on a peninsula that offers views of sunset and sunrise over open water. 706-541-0321, gastateparks.org/info/mistletoe.
Moccasin Creek State Park. 3655 Highway 197, Clarkesville. Surrounded on three sides by Lake Burton, this park in the Blue Ridge Mountains offers fishing, canoeing and hiking. The Lake Burton Fish Hatchery is nearby, and tours are available. 706-947-3194, gastateparks.org/info/moccasin.
Panola Mountain State Park. 2600 Ga. 155 S.W., Stockbridge. Built around a 100-acre granite mountain that has been compared to Stone Mountain, the park has hiking trails, picnic shelters and educational programs. 770-389-7801, gastateparks.org/info/panolamt.
Providence Canyon State Park. Route 1, Box 158, Lumpkin. Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon" was caused by erosion, but those poor farming practices have created a colorful spectacle of pink, orange, red and purple hues in the soft canyon soil. Camping and cottages are available nearby at Florence Marina State Park on Lake Walter F. George. 229-838-6202, gastateparks.org/info/providence.
Red Top Mountain State Park. 50 Lodge Road, Cartersville. Boat rental, swimming and fishing in Lake Allatoona. Hiking trails and a reconstructed 1860s homestead are among other attractions. 770-975-0055, gastateparks.org/info/redtop.
Reed Bingham State Park. 542 Reed Bingham Road, Adel. Alligators, bald eagles, gopher tortoises, indigo snakes and many other species live in this protected park, less than six miles from I-75. Activities include boating and fishing on a 375-acre lake. 229-896-3551, gastateparks.org/info/reedbing.
Richard B. Russell State Park. 2650 Russell State Park Road, Elberton. A championship golf course, lake activities, hiking, campground and cottages. 706-213-2045, gastateparks.org/info/richbruss.
Seminole State Park. 7870 State Park Drive, Donalsonville. The park surrounds a small cove on 37,500-acre Lake Seminole in southwest Georgia, with opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing and birding. A trail leads through one of the largest longleaf pine forests in a Georgia state park. 229-861-3137, gastateparks.org/info/seminole.
Skidaway Island State Park. 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah. The park borders the intracoastal waterway near Savannah. Two nature trails wind through marshes, live oaks, cabbage-palmettos and longleaf pines. 912-598-2300, gastateparks.org/info/skidaway.
Sprewell Bluff State Park. 740 Sprewell Bluff Road, Thomaston. The Flint River winds through the park, and a boat ramp is available for canoeists, kayakers, rafters and anglers. Camping and cottages are available 25 miles west at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain.gastateparks.org/info/sprewell.
Stephen C. Foster State Park. 17515 Ga. 177, Fargo. Visitors can see alligators, turtles, raccoon, black bear, deer and birds while on the boardwalk trail or on a guided boat trip in this park that opens to Okefenokee Swamp. 912-637-5274, gastateparks.org/info/scfoster.
Sweetwater Creek State Park. Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs. The park's 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir offers fishing and canoeing. A wooded trail leads to the historic ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company. 770-732-5871, gastateparks.org/info/sweetwater.
Tallulah Gorge State Park. U.S. 441, Tallulah Falls. Tallullah Gorge is a scenic canyon two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Park visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks or obtain a free permit (limit 100 per day) to hike down to the gorge floor. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom. 706-754-7970, gastateparks.org/info/tallulah.
Tugaloo State Park. 1763 Tugaloo State Park Road, Lavonia. Set on a wooded peninsula, Tugaloo's cottages and most campsites offer panoramic views of Lake Hartwell. Beside the lake, activities include tennis, horseshoes and miniature golf. 706-356-4362, gastateparks.org/info/tugaloo.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge. 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. A mountain lodge, year-round programs, a crafts shop. fishing, swimming and scenic trails leading to Anna Ruby Falls and other attractions. 706-878-2201, gastateparks.org/info/unicoi.
Victoria Bryant State Park. 1105 Bryant Park Road, Royston. An 18-hole golf course, hiking trails and swimming are among the park's attractions. 706-245-6270, gastateparks.org/info/vicbryant.
Vogel State Park. 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. Located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the park includes hiking trails and a 22-acre lake with a swimming beach. 706-745-2628, gastateparks.org/info/vogel.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park. 650 Watson Mill Road, Comer. At one time, Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges; today, less than 20 remain. The longest one is at the park, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River. Park activities include hiking, cycling and canoeing. 706-783-5349, gastateparks.org/info/watson.
