With summer fast approaching, Atlanta area residents are starting to make serious vacation plans.
If it’s nature you seek during your downtime and you don’t want to spend a lot of time or money getting there and back, Georgia has more than 60 state parks, most with campgrounds and cabins, some with lodges — and all affordable and situated in a variety of appealing natural settings. From the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the salt marshes of the coast, there’s bound to be a state park experience to suit your interests.
Georgia’s natural wonders
Of Georgia’s seven natural wonders (yes, such a list exists), five are part of the Georgia state parks system: Amicalola Falls, the Okefenokee Swamp, Providence Canyon, Tallulah Gorge and Warm Springs.
Stephen C. Foster State Park is a primary entry point into the Okefenokee. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site is part of Warm Springs. Amicalola Falls State Park has one of the highest cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi and also is the access point to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area features Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, created by erosion resulting from poor land use practices in the 1800s. And 1,000-foot deep Tallulah Gorge is a canyon of stunning beauty created over eons by the Tallulah River.
The other two Georgia natural wonders are Radium Springs in Albany and Stone Mountain — neither is part of the state parks system.
Escaping the heat
The North Georgia mountains are home to a few state parks where you can get a respite from the heat and humidity of the city, including Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain and the popular Vogel and Unicoi parks near Helen. However, none of them tops Black Rock Mountain in the northeast corner of the state.
At 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain straddles the Eastern Continental Divide and is the highest state park in Georgia. The campground and cabins sit on a high ridge with plenty of shade, great views and frequent mountain breezes. On clear days you can see for 80 miles into Tennessee and North Carolina from the park’s many overlooks.
Black Rock Lake, in a remote section of the park, is a small lake with clear, emerald water ringed by mountains and an easy hiking trail. Black Rock Mountain has miles of hiking trails — some short loops, others trekking into the backcountry.
Heading to the coast
Georgia’s 100 miles of coastline is made up of a string of barrier islands backed by salt marshes and tidal creeks. The three state parks along the coast — Skidaway Island, Fort McAllister and Crooked Creek — all offer marsh views amid the palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks, as well as the opportunity to explore via hiking trails, or by boat or kayak on the waterways.
Skidaway Island and Fort McAllister are close to Savannah while Crooked Creek is near the historic port town of St. Marys, where the ferry for Cumberland Island National Seashore departs daily.
History buffs will want to check out the state historic sites along the coast, including the Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site just north of Brunswick. This former rice plantation contains antebellum-era buildings. Guided tours are available for the plantation house, and a nature trail winds through the grounds.
Other state historic sites in the area are Fort Morris and Fort King George.
Contrary to what many people believe, Jekyll Island isn’t a state park. But since there aren’t any state parks with campgrounds and cottages in the middle portion of the state’s coastline — known as the Golden Isles of Georgia — Jekyll makes a good base of operations for exploring the region.
First-time campers
If you’ve never been camping before, or maybe it’s been a while and you don’t have your own camping gear, the state park system has a First Time Camper program. For $50 you get a tent and other camping gear — bring your own sleeping bags — a two-night stay in a park campground, and expert guidance from a park ranger when you arrive.
The ranger will help you set up camp, provide you with all the Camping 101 information you’ll need, and leave you with an emergency contact number.
Eight parks participate in the program, including F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Middle Georgia, Fort Mountain State Park in the North Georgia mountains and Skidaway Island State Park on the coast.
Not into camping?
If you prefer all the amenities of a modern hotel, some state parks have full-service lodges.
In the mountains, Amicalola Falls and Unicoi state parks have lodges. In South Georgia there’s George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge on Lake Eufaula and Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge, a favorite with golfers. Georgia Veterans State Park has a resort on Lake Blackshear. And on Sapelo Island Reynolds Mansion is a one-of-a-kind historic retreat for groups of 16 to 29 people.
And there’s more …
Here are some more state parks that certain types of travelers would find appealing:
Those traveling with young kids: James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park has large playground areas and participates in the First Time Camper program. Little Ocmulgee State Park has a splash pad — it’s like a mini water park for the toddler set.
Boating and paddling trips: George L. Smith State Park contains miles of canoe trails on its scenic lake; nearby outfitters offer guided paddling trips. Tugaloo State Park on Lake Hartwell is good for boaters and anglers; some cabins have their own private boat docks.
Hitting the links: Eight state parks have championship golf courses. Unlike most private golf clubs in resort areas, these courses aren’t lined with houses or development, so there’s less distraction while playing. The course at Hard Labor Creek State Park near Madison is widely considered one of the best public courses in the state. Little Ocmulgee State Park’s course is a good choice for golfers traveling with family because of all the other activities and amenities available.
The list of state parks could keep on going. Suffice it to say, if you want to experience the best of the Peach State, the state parks should be more than a blip on your travel radar.
Reservations and rates
Reservations for state park campsites and cabins are made through Reserve America. Visit gastateparks.reserveamerica.com. For more information on lodge room reservations visit gastateparks.org/lodges. You also can call 1-800-864-7275. Rates vary between parks but average $110 for a cabin and $25 for a campsite. Lodge room rates vary even more, but range between $125 and $150.
Visitor information
The best place to begin researching and planning a state park vacation is at gastateparks.org. The interactive map is especially handy and can be found at gastateparks.org/map. For general information call 770-389-7277.
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