Whether heading to the mountains for hiking and biking or going south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2009” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch throughout October and early November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks.
Typically, Georgia’s mountain parks peak at the end of October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Unicoi, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Moccasin Creek, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel. Since these parks are often crowded on weekends, visitors may want to check out less known parks, which can be just as vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, also called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has hiking trails along the rim and into the sandy canyon. Hardwoods and tumbling creeks can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus. Smithgall Woods near Helen boasts not only beautiful fall color but also some of the best trout fishing in the state.
Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations for campsites, cottages, yurts or hotel-style lodges as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages to be reserved nearly a year in advance, and many campgrounds fill up on pretty weekends. To make a reservation, call 1-800-864-7275 or log onto
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.
Labels: 2009, amicalola falls, camping, fall color, fall leaves, georgia, hiking, october, state park, unicoi
Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is offering free admission on Saturday, September 26 as part of
National Public Lands Day. The statewide celebration at all 63 state parks and historic sites is a way to thank park visitors and volunteers for their support of outdoor recreation and historic preservation.
Sponsored in part by The Coca-Cola Company and Verizon Wireless, the celebration includes dozens of family-friendly events and service projects. Learn to canoe and shoot skeet at Unicoi State Park’s Outdoor Adventure Day. Listen for owls on a night hike at Hamburg State Park. Try fishing in the Okefenokee Swamp at Stephen C. Foster State Park. Or watch molten iron become works of art at Red Top Mountain State Park’s harvest celebration. A full
calendar of events is posted at
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
On Free Day in the Parks, the regular $5 parking fee will be waived, historic sites will open their doors for free, and even anglers will not need a fishing license. September 26 is also
National Hunting and Fishing Day, celebrated by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources at many events and locations.
Modern campsites, fully equipped cottages and hotel-style lodge rooms provide overnight
accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay for the weekend. The lodges recently introduced lower promotional rates, and campsites are around $23 per night.
Numerous volunteer projects are being coordinated by the non-profit
Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites with 47 chapters across the state. Corporations are also involved, with REI kicking off the celebration at Panola Mountain State Park near Stockbridge and Home Depot employees volunteering at Reed Bingham State Park in Adel. Organized groups or corporations that would like to participate can call the parks’ volunteer coordinator at 404-656-6533 or the Friends group at 1-888-948-2092.
To learn more about Free Day in the Parks, visit
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. Reservations for accommodations and picnic shelters can be made by calling 1-800-864-PARK (7275). To keep up with the latest events and happenings at Georgia's state parks and historic sites, sign up for a free e-newsletter at
www.GetOutdoorsGeorgia.org.
Labels: georgia, georgia department of natural resources, historic site, national hunting and fishing day, national public lands, state park
Did you know? ParkPass fees are waived every Wednesday at Georgia State Parks. It's their ongoing Guest Appreciation Day -- a way that they can give back to their valued guests.
Today we took advantage of this and visited the beautiful Black Rock Mountain State Park in the Northeast corner of Georgia. It's about 2 hours from Cumming, and 10-12 degrees cooler in temperature. It felt like a mild Spring Day, and was a great way to beat the heat and spend time with the family.
Click here to find a fun outdoor activity at a park near you. Mark your calendars and take a refreshing mid-week break at a beautiful state park.
Labels: black rock mountain, cumming, georgia, state park, wednesday
