Free hikes, festivals in Georgia celebrate 100 years of national parks

Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature's display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up, or have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Center. Special centennial events include a National Trails Day event on June 4, which will bring together REI employees and volunteers for a cleanup event. It will likely take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., but no specific time has yet been set. It's free to participate in the event, but there is a $3 daily fee per car to visit the park. 678-538-1200, www.nps.gov/chat/index.htm.

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

3370 Lafayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe

This national park in northwest Georgia is the site of one of the Civil War’s fiercest battles. With 34,000 casualties, Chickamauga, which occurred Sept. 18-20, 1863, is regarded as the war’s second-bloodiest engagement (next to Gettysburg).

Today, various monuments and exhibits throughout the 5,300-acre park describe the battle, drawing nearly 1 million visitors each year. In addition to its rich history, Chickamauga is also a peaceful place and botanical treasure, harboring unique natural habitats and several of Georgia’s rarest plants, including the hairy phlox (lavender flower), hoary puccoon (yellow), and nettleleaf sage (lavender).

Several special events this year include “Find Your Park — Climb, Bike, Hike Lookout Mountain” on June 11. Multiple programs throughout the day 9 a.m.-4 p.m., including mountain biking trips at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.; rock climbing from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and hiking trips led by rangers at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free. People can sign up when they get to Lookout Mountain (Cravens House). The park is partnering with Outdoor Chattanooga, which will provide bikes and rock-climbing gear.

On Aug. 27, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park will host a community picnic and Civil War era-inspired baseball game at noon, highlighting the game of the 1860s when players didn't wear gloves and pitchers threw the ball underhanded from 45 feet away. Free. 706-866-9241, www.nps.gov/chch/index.htm.

MORE: Read about Georgia parks aim to grow in size, prestige

Cumberland Island National Seashore

101 Wheeler St., St. Marys

“Hike With a Ranger” every Saturday in March. Rangers will provide a hike/walking tour of the Dungeness Historic District. The hike and history tour covers 1.5 mile through the Dungeness Historic District, where visitors will see the Dungeness Ruins and spectacular views of the marsh and undeveloped beaches.

Hikers will hear stories about Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Revolutionary War heroes, and the NPS management of Cumberland Island as it transitioned to a national seashore in 1972. Cumberland Island is home to more than 9,800 acres of congressionally designated wilderness.

The hike will begin about 10 minutes after the ferry arrives at the Dungeness Dock. (The 45-minute ferry ride to the island departs St. Marys at 9 a.m. and then again at 11:45 a.m.) The hike is free and there's no need to sign up for the hikes themselves. There is a park user fee of $4 per person. The ferry ride costs $28 round-trip for adults, $26 for seniors 62 and over and $18 for ages 15 and under. Reservations for the ferry can be made at www.cumberlandislandferry.com.

Park contact: 912-882-4336, www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm

Fort Frederica National Monument

6515 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island

Bark in the Park Event, March 12. Dogs and their owners are encouraged to take a walk in the park. Colonial‐costumed dogs can join in a pet parade down to the fort. 1-4 p.m. Free. Junior Ranger Day, April 16. Children from the ages of 6 to 13 come out to the park and children can complete all three booklets and earn a Master Junior Ranger Patch. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. 912-638-3639, www.nps.gov/fofr/index.htm.

MOVIE PREVIEW

"National Parks Adventure"

"National Parks Adventure" will show daily at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History's Imax Theatre through June 16. It will also show Friday evenings during Martinis & Imax. For exact showtimes, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org/experience-imax. Tickets: $13 for adults; $12 for seniors; $11 for children; and $8 for museum members. 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-929-6400, www.fernbankmuseum.org.

The film is family-friendly and has a run time of 43 minutes.

For more information, visit www.NationalParksAdventure.com.

With the National Park Service turning 100 this year, the 11 national parks in Georgia will celebrate this milestone with festivities throughout the year in the great big outdoors — everything from water and music festivals to special hikes and movie nights under the stars.

While the 100th birthday falls on Aug. 25, parks in Georgia and around the country will be commemorating the milestone well before then. The Cumberland Island National Seashore will host special hikes every Saturday in March. And the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will host a cleanup day on June 4. (See box for more details.)

On Aug. 27, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park will host a community picnic and Civil War era-inspired baseball game at noon, highlighting the game of the 1860s when players didn’t wear gloves and pitchers threw the ball underhanded from 45 feet away. Cannons at Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island will fire to salute the 100th birthday of the National Park Service on Aug. 27. (See box for more details on the national parks and special centennial events.)

Meanwhile, a new Imax film, "National Parks Adventure," at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History takes audiences on the ultimate off-trail adventure and pays glorious tribute to the 400-plus national parks across the country protected by the National Park Service.

The Imax film will run through June 16. Moviegoers will soar over red rock canyons, climb up steep mountain peaks and explore other gems. Filmed in more than 30 national parks across the country, this film follows world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, adventure photographer Max Lowe and artist Rachel Pohl as they hike, climb and explore their way across America’s gloriously wild and stunningly beautiful places — including Yellowstone, Glacier National Park and Yosemite.

“National Parks Adventure” is narrated by Robert Redford and produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films, one of the largest independent producers and distributor of Imax films. (See box for more details.)

The film looks at how it first began 100 years ago when, after a three-day visit with naturalist, philosopher and poet John Muir, “conservationist President” Theodore Roosevelt began the process of protecting the nation’s most sacred grounds from development and destruction. On Aug. 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act establishing the National Park Service (NPS), which at the time oversaw 35 national parks and monuments. Until then, there had been no guarantee that the country’s national parks would be protected and preserved by the federal government.

Georgia’s national parks include: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, MLK Jr. National Historic Site, Jimmy Carter NHS, Andersonville NHS, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Fort Frederica National Monument, Ocmulgee National Monument, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Also managed by the Park Service is the 2,184-mile-long Appalachian Trail, which begins in Georgia.

“One of the most exciting opportunities of the centennial is that it provides a chance to look forward to the next 100 years,” said K. Lynn Berry, NPS Southeast Region Centennial Coordinator. “Parks in Georgia often present breathtaking scenery and absolutely spectacular adventures. Georgia parks also offer opportunities for learning and reflection, and we want to continuously expand our demographic so every American sees themselves in the national parks.”

Berry said the Park Service is increasing its outreach to young people and communities of color by connecting with schools as well as groups such as Outdoor Afro, a group that connects African-Americans with the outdoors.

One program launched in 2015— "Every Kid in a Park pass" — gives fourth-graders free access to parks and is designed to attract a new generation of young people and their families into the parks.