INSIDER TIPS FOR ALL GEORGIA STATE PARKS
- Dogs are welcome in campsites and select cottages, but not yurts. Dog-friendly cottages book quickly, so make reservations in advance.
- Guests can reserve specific cottages and yurts. For campsites, they reserve a certain type (such as RV pull-through or tent only) but not a specific site number. Arrive early for the best choice of campsite.
- Reservations can be made 13 months in advance. Some very popular parks will fill up this early for holidays or leaf season.
- Last-minute deals and cancellations are often posted on Facebook and Twitter. www.facebook.com/georgiastateparks, https://twitter.com/GaStateParks
- Specials are posted on http://gastateparks.org/specials.
- Buy a Friends of Georgia State Parks membership ($50 with discounts for seniors, active military, veterans) to get an annual ParkPass and camping discounts. http://friendsofgastateparks.org/
CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY AT HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT STATE PARKS
- Fort King George State Historic Site, 302 McIntosh Road S.E., Darien. http://gastateparks.org/FortKingGeorge. From 1721 until 1736, this fort was the southern outpost of the British empire in North America. Climb into the reconstructed cypress blockhouse, explore the palisaded earthen fort and tabby ruins, tour the museum.
- Fort Morris State Historic Site, 2559 Fort Morris Road, Midway. http://gastateparks.org/FortMorris. This earthen fort on the Medway River protected Georgia against the British in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. A museum describes the colonial port of Sunbury, and a nature trail and picnic sites are available.
- Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site, 4432 Mount Tabor Church Road, Dallas. http://gastateparks.org/PickettsMillBattlefield. Pickett's Mill is one of the nation's best-preserved Civil War battlefields, highlighted with a museum, earthworks and wooded trails. The 1864 battle was one of the few Confederate victories during Gen. William T. Sherman's Georgia campaign.
- A.H. Stephens State Historic Park, 456 Alexander St. N.W., Crawfordville. http://gastateparks.org/AHStephens. This park is named for the Confederate vice president, and his 1875 home, Liberty Hall, is furnished and open for tours.
- Fort McAllister State Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill. http://gastateparks.org/FortMcAllister. This park south of Savannah marked the end of Sherman's March to the Sea and is the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. On May 24, watch a program about Civil War soldiers, as well as musket and cannon firings.
- Georgia Veterans State Park, 2459 U.S. 280 W., Cordele. http://gastateparks.org/GeorgiaVeterans. Established as a memorial to U.S. veterans, this park features a museum with aircraft (including a Boeing B-29A), armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, medals and other military items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War.
STATE PARKS MAP
Need help knowing where a state park is located?
Check out this interactive map: http://gastateparks.org/map
I feel more relaxed the moment I turn off the highway and meander along a two-lane road leading to Red Top Mountain State Park. The bridge across Lake Allatoona offers spectacular views of shimmering green-blue waters — dotted by boats and flanked by flowering dogwoods.
Before I get out of my car, I double-check the time. I feel far away, really far away. But Red Top really is just minutes from I-75 and about 40 minutes from Atlanta. Best known for its access to a 12,000-acre lake, Red Top is also a hiker's delight, with more than 15 miles of trails, including a gravel-topped 4-mile Iron Hill Trail, open to hikers and bikers.
With sweeping views of the lake and whitetail deer running along the paths, this state park is pretty, quiet and I have no choice but to unplug and unwind, even while spending only a few hours here exploring.
Red Top is just one of several state parks close to home here in metro Atlanta offering affordable, family-friendly destinations. Special summertime activities include everything from free summer concerts to tree-climbing expeditions to twilight paddles. Whether you want to spend a lazy day at a park or spend an entire weekend away in a tent or the increasingly popular yurt (a circular, spacious canvas-and-wood tent that includes electricity, heaters, a ceiling fan and bunk beds) or a cottage, a retreat from the urban day-to-day is less than an hour away.
We’ll start with Red Top and highlight seven additional state parks close by (a separate story offers Memorial Day-inspired getaways at more state parks).
Red Top Mountain State Park
Address: 50 Lodge Road S.E., Cartersville
Cool off in the calm waters of Lake Allatoona, stretching 12,000 acres.
Explore the park’s 15 miles of winding trails (including the mile-long, wheelchair-accessible Lakeside Trail).
Keep an eye out for mountain bikes zipping through the Iron Hill Trail. Visitors also can check out a reconstructed 1860s home site, including a log cabin and blacksmith shop.
Summertime things to do and see: Free summer concerts every Saturday night, 8 p.m. May 10 through July 26. Bring blankets and chairs. $5 parking. 770-975-0055.
Insider tips: The multiuse Iron Hill Trail is easier than most mountain bike trails, so it's good for beginners. Campers should arrive early so they can pick their favorite campsite. Sites 45-50 are particularly coveted for their spectacular views. The campground has only one yurt, so advance reservations are advised.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Address: 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. Camp or stay in new yurts or cottages near the canyon edge.
Summertime things to do and see: Head underground to find the coolest summertime temps in the state and give into your sense of adventure. There's a cave in the park where it's a steady 56 degrees year-round. You'll need a guide — the Georgia Girl Guides, to be exact. The experienced cavers and former park employees lead the caving adventures. Be prepared to get wet and muddy. The tours cost $30-$60. Plus $5 parking. Helmets, headlamps, knee pads and gloves are provided. Contact the Georgia Girl Guides. 706-913-7170, www.georgiagirlguides.com.
Insider tips: Yurts are right off the hiking trail, so you don't have to move your car to go hiking. It's possible, but not common, to spot black bear. Video: http://bit.ly/1mHAbP7
Don Carter State Park
Address: 5000 N. Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville
Opened last summer, Don Carter is Georgia’s newest state park, as well as the first on 38,000-acre Lake Lanier. Situated on the north end of the reservoir, boat ramps provide quick access to the lake, while a multiuse trail welcomes hikers and bikers to explore the hardwood forest.
Summertime things to do and see: Bluegrass in the Breezeway presents North Georgia bluegrass at the Visitor Center for Saturday concerts (May 17 and 31, June 14 and 28). Be sure to bring a chair. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Insider tips: Cabin 5 has the best porch with wooded shade in summer and a lake view in winter. Cabin 1 is dog-friendly.
Indian Springs State Park
Location: 678 Lake Clark Road, Flovilla
There is a 105-acre lake at Indian Springs State Park, but those aren’t the only waters that draw people here. The water that bubbles up under the cover of a rock spring house is loaded with sodium sulfate, magnesium carbonate and other minerals that some believe have curative powers.
Indian Springs State Park, near Jackson, is also the state's oldest park, opened in 1931. A small museum focused on Creek Indian history and Civilian Conservation Corps history is on site, along with picnic areas, rental cottages, campgrounds and a swimming beach.
Summertime things to do and see: Join fellow campers for a singalong, stories and roasting marshmallows, 8-9:30 p.m. May 23, Aug. 1 and Sept. 5. Don't forget to bring your roasting sticks and chairs. $5 parking. 770-504-2277.
Insider tips: Bring empty jugs to collect water from the natural spring. There is a mineral taste when it comes out of the spigot, but it will taste wonderful the next day.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Address: 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 Co., a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Other activities include paddle boarding and fishing (boats and equipment rentals available).
Summertime things to do and see: "Get Outdoors Georgia Day" celebration, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14. Free. Activities include archery, paddling, disc golf, camping demonstrations, fly tying, tree climbing and more. Park at Lithia Springs High School, 2520 E. County Line Road. Shuttle provided.
Insider tips: The Red Trail leads past mill ruins to two river overlooks. If you continue from here on the White Trail, you'll pass Jack's Lake, where you're almost guaranteed to see turtles sunning on logs. You may even see a beaver. For a map of the park, go to http://bit.ly/1g4rYGe. If you want to grill out, arrive early or reserve a picnic shelter in advance. Also note: Sweetwater is very busy on pretty weekends.
Panola Mountain State Park
Address: 2600 Ga. 155 S.W., Stockbridge
Built around a 100-acre granite mountain that has been compared to Stone Mountain, this park (just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta) has hiking trails and picnic shelters and offers archery, birding and tree-climbing programs.
Summertime things to do and see: Join others "on rope" for a tree-climbing adventure exploring the canopy above. Participants will use rope and harness (which are provided) for this moderately strenuous activity. This is considered an introductory climb and open to beginners. The first and third Saturday of the month.
One group starts at 1 p.m.; another at 3 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes before each program.
(Specialty climbs for more advanced climbers are also offered. For more information on those, go to http://gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain.)
Insider tips: This park is a top spot for biking on the 12-mile, paved Rockdale River and Arabia Mountain PATH Trail. Look for wildlife (expect to see deer, turkey and rabbits) when passing Panola's small lakes and crossing the river bridge.
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Address: Knox Chapel Road, Rutledge
While this park may be best known for its golf course, other attractions include a lakeside beach and 34 miles of mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding trails.
Georgia State University has an observatory at the park open one Saturday per month to the public. Night observations start one half hour after sunset. Call 706-557-3001 for reservations. During the summer, join a park ranger’s “Dragons and Damsels” hike (a dragonfly/damselfly hike). $5 plus $5 parking. Register in advance: 706-557-3006.
Summertime things to do and see: Explore Lake Rutledge on a ranger-guided twilight paddle, May 24 and 25, June 7, 8 and 21 and July 4. Meet at the Park Office/Trading Post building. Register in advance: 706-557-3001. $15 plus $5 parking.
Insider tip: On weekdays, the 22-mile horse trail is open to hikers as well.
Fort Yargo State Park
Address: 210 S. Broad St., Winder
Located between Atlanta and Athens, this popular park is a 1,814-acre refuge offering a little bit of everything. There are trails for hiking and mountain biking. Bike, canoe and kayak rentals are available. Marbury Creek Lake, which spreads out over 260 acres, offers fishing, boating and swimming. The park also has tennis courts and a miniature golf course. On weekends, the park often presents living history demonstrations (blacksmithing, cooking, etc.) at the old fort.
Summertime things to do and see: Siege on Fort Yargo Trail Challenge and Adventure Race, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7. Teams of two or three will travel on a mandatory course with a three-hour limit, facing multiple challenges and obstacles. Free. $5 parking. 770-867-3489, www.siegeyargo.trailblazerar.com.
Insider tips: Yurts 2, 3 and 6 afford the best lake views. Canoes can be rented right by the yurts.
