Head to the Parks

Georgia State Parks offer fun, education and history

Thanks to the many easily accessible Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites locations and the variety of outdoor activities suitable for all ages and skill levels, it doesn’t get much better than summer break in Georgia’s great outdoors. From locations listed as one of the “Top Places to Visit in the U.S.” by Buzzfeed, to parks considered to be one of the “20 Wild and Beautiful State Parks in the U.S.” by National Geographic, options are endless, affordable and allow families to check off their Georgia bucket lists. Below are 10 ideas for a memorable summer that’s affordable and close to home.

Geocache: History Trail GeoTour

Love a treasure hunt? Give geocaching a try. You will use posted coordinates to find hidden containers. The revamped History Trail GeoTour offers new challenges, new locations, and a new reward. This mystery cache GeoTour offers geocachers of all levels a chance to travel back in time to state historic sites and earn an exclusive trackable coin. Download and print a Time Travel Ticket prior to participating. For more information visit GaStateParks.org/Geocaching.

‘Glamping’ Yurts

For a unique and affordable getaway, book a “glamour camping” yurt. These funky wood and canvas structures are a blend between a tent and cabin, with furniture inside and fire rings outside. Guests can even walk to nearby hot showers. Yurts are available at Cloudland Canyon, Red Top Mountain, High Falls, Fort Yargo, Sweetwater Creek and Tugaloo state parks. To rent a yurt, visit GaStateParks.org/UniqueAccommodations.

Trek the Trails

Explore the trails with your children to discover the wonders of nature through their eyes. Georgia’s State Parks offer a variety of hiking and biking paths, from easy paved loops to challenging backcountry trails. Families will experience Georgia’s diverse landscape as well, with canyons and waterfalls, salt marshes and streams. Energetic explorers can join the Canyon Climbers Club or Muddy Spokes Club to earn a members-only t-shirt. Bring Fido along for a full circle adventure via state parks Tails on Trails Club. Learn more at GaStateParks.org/ParkActivities, GaStateParks.org/ParkClubs and GaStateParks.org/ TailsOnTrailsClub.

Camping Under the Stars

Pack the tent and build cherished memories while toasting s’mores. Camping encourages the entire family to enjoy the simple pleasures of swapping stories while looking up at the stars. All campgrounds have water and electric hookups, hot showers and site-specific reservations. Visit GaStateParks.org/Camping for more information.

Cozy Cabins

For an affordable and cozy staycation, book a cabin or cottage surrounded by beautiful scenery. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, state park cabins come with fully equipped kitchens, screened porches and a wide range of activities right outside the door. Choose from mini golf, nature trails, ranger programs, archery, disc golf and more. Bring the four-legged family members along when you reserve a dog-friendly cabin in advance. To book a cabin, visit GaStateParks.org/Cottages.

Junior Rangers

Children ages 6 to 12 will have fun learning in the outdoors as they work toward earning a Junior Ranger badge. By following guidelines in the activity book or attending ranger-led camps, they will experience nature first-hand and explore Georgia’s fascinating history. The experience builds as children work their way through three badge levels. Download the free book at GaStateParks.org/ EducationalResources.

Travel Back in Time

Mix entertainment with education when you step back in time at Georgia’s state historic sites. Children can explore colonial times at Fort Morris and Fort King George, or Civil War bunkers at Fort McAllister. To learn about Native American history, visit Kolomoki Mounds, New Echota, Chief Vann House and Etowah Indian Mounds. Even more historic sites are listed on GaStateParks.org/History.

Go Paddling

Explore Georgia’s waterways through a variety of paddling adventures. Canoes, kayaks, standup paddleboards and aquacycles may be rented seasonally, or visitors may bring their own boats. For a challenge, join the Park Paddlers Club which takes explorers to six state parks as they show off their membersonly t-shirt. Find out more at GaStateParks.org/Paddling.

Tee Off

Tee off at one of Georgia’s eight state park golf courses offering a family-friendly atmosphere surrounded by sparkling lakes and scenic forests. Lessons, putting greens, pro shops and cabin packages are available. Green fees are as low as $20. More information is available at GaStateParks.org/Golfing.

Go Fishing

Grab your rod and reel and head out for a day of fishing at parks like High Falls or Reed Bingham. There is no fee for casting a line, but a license is required for ages 16 and older. For families who would like to take their adventure up a notch, many state parks rent boats by the hour. For more information, visit GaStateParks.org/ParkFishing.

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Mountain Fun

Things to do in North Georgia and North Carolina this summer

Whether you’re looking for music, arts & crafts, a good fireworks display for July 4th or some old-fashioned carnival rides, the mountains of North Georgia and North Carolina have plenty to keep you busy this summer.

July 4 Celebration in Highlands, NC

An entire day of fun, food, music and fireworks is on tap for Independence Day, including field games for adults and children, a cookout, duck derby, music and fireworks. Visit highlandschamber.org for more information.

Highlands Village Square Art & Craft Show

It wouldn’t be summer in Highlands without the annual Village Square Arts and Craft Show, which takes place on Aug. 24-25. Now in their 14th year, they are well known for regionally-made fine art, crafts and rustic furniture. It is sponsored by Rotary of Highlands Mountaintop, and proceeds go to their many important charitable causes, such as the Emergency Council in Highlands and efforts to eradicate polio around the world. The show is held in Kelsey-Hutchinson “Founders” Park at Pine and N. 5th Streets in downtown Highlands. Visit facebook.com/ villagesquareshow for more information.

Groovin’ On The Green

Groovin’ On The Green concerts are scheduled for most Friday nights on the Village Commons in Cashiers, NC during the summer months. This series of free concerts showcases music from around western North Carolina. The events start between 5:30 and 6:30PM. To see this year’s lineup visit villagegreencashiersnc.com.

Christmas in July

Christmas is coming early to the Bavarian village of Helen, GA on July 19 and 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Helen Arts and Heritage Center. Visitors are invited to be the early bird and get started on their Christmas shopping. This family friendly event includes artists and fine craftsmen from across Northeast Georgia along with mountain music, face painting, baked goods and more. Visit helenga.org for more details.

Georgia Mountain Fair

Head to Towns County for the 69th annual Georgia Mountain Fair July 19-27. Thousands of visitors from across the region flock to the fair, which this year will feature musical performances by Pam Tillis, Neal McCoy, Ricky Skaggs, The Spinners, BJ Thomas and many more. There’s also arts & crafts, fun carnival rides, unique attractions and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture. Visit georgiamountainfairgrounds.com for more information.

Mountain Fitness Stay fit with kayaking, trail biking and rock sliding

If you’re planning to make the move to North Georgia and wondering how you’ll stay fit without your local gym, the state parks have some interesting and unusual ways to get your regular exercise. With only a $5 parking fee, you can visit multiple parks on the same day and stay fit yearround.

Hike with your dog

Georgia State Parks just launched the new Tails on Trails Club, geared toward dog owners and their pups. While all of Georgia State Parks’ trails are dog-friendly, the Tails on Trails Club encourages dog owners to complete seven designated hiking trails for a reward. Upon completion of all seven trails, dog owners will receive a T-shirt and dogs get a bandana. Participating parks include Fort Mountain, F.D. Roosevelt, Don Carter, Sweetwater Creek, High Falls, Fort McAllister and Red Top Mountain. Find out more at GaStateParks.org/ TailsonTrails.

Paddle lakes and rivers

Don Carter State Park is the only state park on the northern edge of 38,000-acre Lake Lanier, making it the perfect paddling spot for standup paddleboards or paddling. For a challenging workout, take a three-mile trip to Flat Creek Island, the northernmost island of Lake Lanier. Don’t own a boat? Canoes and/or kayaks may be rented seasonally at more than 20 state parks. Join the Park Paddlers Club and paddle 22 miles of scenic waterways to earn a T-shirt reward. More information: GaStateParks. org/Paddling.

Cycle the trails

If biking is your thing, get on the trails at Fort Mountain State Park near Chatsworth, Smithgall Woods State Park and Unicoi State Park near Helen, Don Carter State Park in Gainesville and Tallulah Gorge State Park. Find out more at GaStateParks.org/Biking.

Splash in state parks

Those looking for a more daring dip into nature can make a splash at Tallulah Gorge State

Park and Watson Mill Bridge State Park, both of which provide summer swimmers with a unique opportunity to experience a natural waterslide made of “sliding rocks.” Get more information at GaStateParks.org/ Swimming.

Find out more about where to get fit at GaStateParks.org.