Get Moving! Check Out Five of Our Favorite State Parks
Fall is the perfect time to head outside. Cooler temps are rolling in and a day spent with nature (without the mosquitos) is a welcome change to the heat and humidity of the sweltering summer.
If you’re looking to spend some time in the great outdoors, Georgia is well known for its list of nearly 50 State Parks. We’ve narrowed it down to 5 of our favorites where you can climb to towering mountaintops and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. You can visit the spectacular whitewater rapids and tumbling creeks, explore the natural beauty of the wondrous gorges and canyons, and ponder the bold beauty of the changing autumn colors.
Any one of them is a worthwhile trip that will leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and healthier, too. It’s a fact, you know. So grab your hiking boots and let’s go!
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls
With rich history and rugged beauty, Tallulah Gorge’s vast 2,689 acre stretch of land is one of the most stunning state parks in all of Georgia. The gorge is two miles long, about 1,000 feet deep, and has tons of overlooks along the rim trails that make a perfect backdrop for your Insta pics. Scenic hiking, a paved bike trail, and an excellent interpretive center are open daily, and if you head out early enough, you could land one of the 100 free gorge floor permits.
The park features a 63-acre lake, two public tennis courts, and a free archery course. You’ll also find tent, trailer, and RV campsites, a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet in the air, and three backcountry Adirondack shelters. Time it right, and you and your weekend warriors could also ride the rapids on a day that Georgia Power Company releases the dam into the gorge.
Fort Yargo State Park, Winder
Fort Yargo State Park is located halfway between Atlanta and Athens. You’ll find a 260-acre lake with two boat ramps, and a large swimming beach. Hike any of the over 20 miles of trails, or strike up a game of disc golf along the especially challenging course through the woods. If you need overnight accommodations, the park also boasts 38 tent, trailer, and RV sites, 13 cabins, and three cozy cottages.
If you’re more of a glamper than a camper though, reserve one of the six lakeside yurts. It’ll comes equipped with most of the luxuries of home…electricity, furniture, a picnic table, an outside grill, and a fire pit where you can relax, roast marshmallows, and tell ghost stories.
Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Skidaway Island State Park, just 15 miles from historic downtown Savannah and 25 miles from the beaches of Tybee Island, offers a much different feel than most other state parks. Its 588 acres of salt marsh and maritime forest borders Skidaway narrows, a part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway and is a favorite spot among birdwatchers.
Explore the seven miles of hiking and biking trails, grab your binoculars and head to the observation tower to watch for deer, egrets, fiddler crabs, and other wildlife, or visit the giant ground sloth exhibit at the Park’s Interpretive Nature Center.
Nestled among the live, Spanish moss-draped, oak trees are its scenic, tent, trailer, and RV-friendly campgrounds. Three camper cabins are also available, and each one comes complete with air conditioning and a screened-in porch so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge
Panola Mountain State Park is a short 15-minute drive from Atlanta. Although there isn’t a ton of camping activity in the 1,635-acre park, there are a few sites where you can set up a tent. Most of the recreation is hiking or running on the rugged, forested, fitness trails or walking, rollerblading, biking along the paved trails.
You can grab your fishing pole and head to the lake, rent a paddle-boat, head out on a geocaching adventure, or enjoy some relaxing bird watching. If you’re planning your trip in advance, check out the archery and tree-climbing programs for both kids and adults!
The most unique feature of the park is the 100-acre granite outcropping. It’s been designated a National Natural Landmark and is similar to Stone Mountain, but much smaller and more pristine.
Under the guide or a park ranger, you can explore the mountain, hear about its history, and see the rare plants and animal life that inhabits the area. When you finally make it to the mountaintop, you’ll be mesmerized by the scenic view and even be able to catch a glimpse of the Atlanta skyline in the distance.
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
One of the most scenic state parks is Cloudland Canyon State Park. Located on the edge of Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, Georgia, its 3,583 acres offers exceptional hiking and biking trails, cascading waterfalls, sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and remarkable caves.
Visitors can hike the 64-miles of trails, some of which offer an incredible view of the canyon’s geology and provide a path to the canyon floor. You can also ride many of the trails on horseback.
If you’re a more experienced hiker, you might want to choose from four other more extensive trails. You can check out one of the wild cave tours, relax with a game of disc golf, fish on the pond, or join a ranger-led interpretive program.
Whether you’re camping or glamping, you’ll have the option of choosing among cottages yurts, tent, trailer & RV campsites, or walk-in tent sites. Whichever you prefer, it’s sure to be an adventure!