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With Covid-19 still limiting international and, in some parts of the USA, even state-to-state travel, many people are struggling to find ways to satisfy their thirst for adventure.
But sometimes, the best places to explore can be right in our own backyard.
For those of us who live in the southeastern US, the state of Georgia offers plenty of outdoor recreation options within a few hours of metro Atlanta.
Whether you’re hiking to the towering cascades of Amicalola Falls, kayaking through the Okefenokee Swamp, or exploring the grand Providence Canyon, our home state has some spectacular green spaces that are perfect for a nature escape.
So read on to see our staff picks for the 15 Best State Parks in Georgia, including an overview of the best activities, attractions, and accommodations in each!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Day Trips from Atlanta (for Nature Lovers)
BEST GEORGIA STATE PARKS GUIDE
- Amicalola Falls State Park
- Black Rock Mountain State Park
- Cloudland Canyon State Park
- F.D. Roosevelt State Park
- Fort McAllister State Park
- Fort Mountain State Park
- Panola Mountain State Park
- Providence Canyon State Park
- Red Top Mountain State Park
- Skidaway Island State Park
- Smithgall Woods State Park
- Stephen C. Foster State Park
- Tallulah Gorge State Park
- Unicoi State Park
- Vogel State Park
1. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
418 Amicalola Falls Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Reservations: 1-800-573-9656
Entry Fee: $5 GA State Park Pass or $50 Annual Park Passes are available
https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com
Just eight miles from the southern end of the Appalachian Trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to the biggest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi river and an abundance of breathtaking scenery.
Things to Do in Amicalola Falls State Park
There are more than 10 hiking trails you can explore here, including three that will take you right to the massive cascades of the 729-foot Amicalola waterfall.
These are the West Ridge Falls Access Trail, the one-mile East Ridge Trail and, most notably, the New Appalachian Approach Trail.
The latter will guide you on a one-mile hike to the falls overlook, then continue on 7.5 miles to the southernmost point of the Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain.
For an additional charge, the Amicalola Falls Lodge also offers plenty of fun activities, including live reptile exhibits, guided hikes, birds of prey demonstrations, and some of best mountain ziplining in north Georgia.
Amicalola Falls State Park Lodging
Located at two sites– the Wooded Mountain Top and Creek Side below the falls– the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge offers cabin rentals. Each of these cabins boasts a living room and full kitchen, as well as being pet-friendly.
Also on the state park premises are lodges ranging from mountain view lofts to suite-style options, with modern amenities like central air and Wi-Fi.
If you’re looking to go tent camping or are traveling in an RV, there are 24 wooded campsites that each have water, power, picnic tables, and a grill and fire ring.
READ MORE: List of National Parks by State (An Epic Guide)
2. Black Rock Mountain State Park
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway
Mountain City, GA 30562
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain
Black Rock Mountain offers some of the most spectacular year-round views of the north Georgia mountains. It towers over the Eastern Continental Divide at peak altitudes of 3,640 feet, making it the highest of Georgia’s state parks.
Things to Do in Black Rock Mountain State Park
There are five hiking trails that wind through the park, ranging in length from the 0.10-mile Norma Campbell Cove Trail to the 7.2-mile James E. Edmond Trail.
The park’s most popular hiking trail is the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail, which takes you to some of the highest overlooks in the forest. There you can gaze out nearly 80 miles into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Other popular activities are fishing and canoeing or kayaking in the 17-acre Black Rock Lake, geocaching, and shopping at the Summit Visitor Center’s gift shop.
Black Rock Mountain Lodging
There are 12 walk-in campsites located throughout the park, and 44 tent, trailer, and RV campsites equipped with pull-through and back-in driveways.
Top-of-the-line north Georgia cabin rentals are also available. Each has a kitchen, living room, and 2 to 3 bedrooms that can hold 8 to 10 people.
READ MORE: 10 Best US National Parks (World Travel Bucket List)
3. Cloudland Canyon State Park
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon
One of the largest state parks in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon offers 3,538 acres of sandstone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, lush woodlands, and thousand-foot-deep canyons waiting to be explored.
Things to Do in Cloudland Canyon State Park
As you can imagine from its size, there are an immense amount of Cloudland Canyon activities for visitors to enjoy.
These include over 30 miles of mountain biking trails, 16 miles of horseback riding trails, a fishing pond, geocaching, and an 18-hole disc golf course.
The park also offers some of the best hiking in north Georgia, with 64 miles of gorgeous, well-tended trails.
Some popular hikes include the one-mile Overlook Trail, the two-mile Waterfalls Trail (leading to Cherokee and Hemlock Falls), and the six-mile Sutton’s Gulch Trail, which is lined with beautiful wildflowers in March and early April.
Cloudland Canyon State Park Lodging
There are two- and three-bedroom cottages available for up to 8 guests, as well as 10 unique Yurts that are fully furnished and can hold up to 6 people.
There are also 72 tent, trailer, and RV campsites that have pull-through and back-in driveways, 13 backcountry campsites, 30 tent only walk-in campsites, and 4 pioneer campsites that can hold up to 25 people.
The park also boasts one group shelter that seats 175 people, and a group lodge that sleeps up to 40 people.
READ MORE: The Most Comfortable Walking Shoes & Hiking Shoes for Women
4. F.D. Roosevelt State Park
2970 Georgia Highway 190
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: Wednesday & Thursday $3; Friday, Saturday & Sunday $5
https://gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt
F.D. Roosevelt State Park spans 9,049 acres, making it the largest state park in Georgia. This park was named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who used to frequent the area and swim in the warm springs to get relief from his polio.
Things to Do in F.D. Roosevelt State Park
With over 40 miles of hiking trails, there is a path here to suit every age and fitness level.
There are relatively easy hikes like the 3.2-mile Mountain Creek Nature Trail, which passes through several gorgeous plant habitats.
There are also longer treks, like the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, which will take you throughout some of the park’s most scenic spots.
Other fun activities include 28 miles of horseback riding trails, fishing in one of the park’s two lakes, birding, and geocaching.
The park also has quite a bit of history: Amenities sich as the cottages, office, and Liberty Bell swimming pool were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park Lodging
The park offers 20+ cottages that can house up to 8 people. All are furnished and have air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, oven, and grill.
Other lodging options include 115 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, as well as 16 backcountry campsites and two group shelters.
Two picnic shelters and a group camp that can hold up to 75 people are also available with an advance reservation.
READ MORE: The 25 Most Comfortable Walking Shoes & Hiking Shoes for Men
5. Fort McAllister State Park
3894 Fort McAllister Road
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/FortMcAllister
Situated on the banks of the Ogeechee River, Fort McAllister State Park is one of the more history-packed state parks in GA, offering a combination of well-preserved historic sites and scenic natural beauty.
Things to Do in Fort McAllister State Park
History buffs can explore the park to find cannons, bomb-proof barracks, a furnace, and palisades left over from the Civil War.
To learn more about Civil War history, talk to one of the staff historians, who are experts on topics such as infantry, medicine, soldier life, weapons, and more.
There’s also a Civil War Museum that contains artifacts, videos, and a gift shop.
If you’re simply wanting to enjoy the great outdoors, the park has an array of other activities as well. These include 4.3 miles of hiking trails, birdwatching on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, biking, and fishing and boating along Redbird Creek.
Fort McAllister State Park Lodging
There are seven cottages near the park’s marsh, each of which has two bedrooms and can hold up to 8 people.
Other lodging options include over 60 tent, trailer and RV campsites, and two pioneer campgrounds that require reservations.
There are also two backcountry campsites available, but you’ll have to make a 1.5-mile hike to reach them.
READ MORE: The 35 Best Daypacks for Travel
6. Fort Mountain State Park
181 Fort Mountain Park Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/FortMountain
Located on the southwestern end of the Cohutta Mountains, Fort Mountain State Park is situated on land that belonged to Cherokee Indians for hundreds of years.
The park is known for its incredible wildlife and natural beauty, as well as having some of the most scenic North Georgia hiking trails.
Things to Do in Fort Mountain State Park
Near the crest of the mountain, you’ll find one of the most intriguing parts of the park– an ancient, 855-foot-long stone wall.
Believed to have been built by early Native Americans, the wall is speculated to have been used as a defensive fortification and/or for spiritual and ceremonial purposes.
If you hike the one-mile Fire Tower Trail, you’ll reach another historical site– the stone fire tower built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Open house visits to the tower are available every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
There are over 25 miles of hiking trails as well as 27 miles of trails that are perfect for mountain biking, all offering spectacular views of the park’s diverse nature and wildlife.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot one of the many Black Bears that roam the mountains. Just remember that you can admire from afar, but don’t approach or feed them!
Fort Mountain State Park Lodging
For overnight adventures, the park has 15 two- to three-bedroom cottages that can house up to 10 people.
There are also walk-in, platform, pioneer, and backcountry campsites ,as well as 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites with pull-through or back-in driveways. Just be sure to double check in advance that they’re available, as some are seasonal.
For a group of up to 80 people, there is also one group shelter available.
READ MORE: 10 Best National Parks in USA for Wildlife Watching
7. Panola Mountain State Park
2620 Highway 155 SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
http://gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain
For an intown escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, Panola Mountain State Park is the perfect getaway.
It offers an abundance of outdoor activities and nature despite being located just 15 minutes from the heart of Metro Atlanta!
Things to Do in Panola Mountain State Park
Part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area– one of just three National Heritage Areas in Georgia– Panola Mountain is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Some of the park’s most popular activities include archery, birdwatching, fishing, tree climbing, and biking and hiking over 25 miles of trails. But the main attraction here is the unique, 100-acre granite outcrop.
Similar to Stone Mountain, but smaller in size, the Panola summit gives visitors a chance to see nature as Native Americans would have hundreds of years ago.
If you reserve a spotin advance, you can even take a ranger-led hike to learn more about the rare plants and animals that live in the area.
Panola Mountain State Park Lodging
There are five primitive campsites for tent camping only, and four picnic shelters that can hold up to 50 people.
For special occasions, there is an event room that can be reserved and seats 50 people.
READ MORE: Top 5 Autumn Activities Around Atlanta
8. Providence Canyon State Park
8930 Canyon Road
Lumpkin, GA 31815
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/ProvidenceCanyon
Known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon State Park offers a unique display of eye-catching geological formations, enchanting wildlife, and adventure awaiting around every turn.
Things to Do in Providence Canyon State Park
If exploring a canyon in Georgia is on your bucket list, this stunning west Georgia landmark is a great place to visit.
It offers some 10 miles of hiking trails that can give you views of the colorful canyons and gullies, some of which are as deep as 150 feet.
For an overnight journey, backpackers can go along the backcountry trail, which offers some of the best views of the canyon and goes deep into the forest.
Photographers and flower fans alike will delight in getting a glimpse of the rare Plumbleaf Azalea (found only in this region), which blooms throughout July and August.
Providence Canyon State Park Lodging
There are six backcountry campsites for tent camping (each holds up to 10 people) that are available overnight, as well as three pioneer campsites and two picnic shelters.
READ MORE: The Best Backcountry Camping Gear
9. Red Top Mountain State Park
50 Lodge Road SE
Acworth, GA 30102
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/RedTopMountain
Named for the reddish hue that comes from its soil’s high iron-ore content, Acworth’s Red Top Mountain State Park offers an exciting mix of fun water activities, forest hikes, and gorgeous scenic views that are guaranteed to please.
Things to Do in Red Top Mountain State Park
With direct access to Lake Allatoona, Red Top Mountain State Park is one of the best Georgia parks for swimming, fishing, boating, and waterskiing.
You can bring your own private boat, or rent one for a half or full day from nearby marinas. The public beach often offers pick-up games of beach volleyball.
Aside from the water-based activities, there are four miles of beautiful biking trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. These include a paved trail behind the park’s office, where you can explore an authentic 1860s-era reconstructed homestead.
Since Red Top Mountain was at one time an influential mining area, iron pour programs are sometimes held at the park as well.
Red Top Mountain State Park Lodging
There are 20 cottages at Red Top that come with modern amenities like air conditioning, a dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, etc. There’s also one yurt campsite that can hold up to 6 people.
Also scattered across the park are 93 tent, trailer, and RV campsites with water and electricity hookup, picnic tables, and fire rings.
READ MORE: 20+ Camping Tips & Tricks for Responsible Travelers
10. Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, GA 31411
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland
Located close to Savannah on the state’s Atlantic Coast, Skidaway Island State Park is part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway. The park offers plenty of intriguing sights, and is a one-of-a- kind place to explore mother nature.
Things to Do in Skidaway Island State Park
Skidaway has some of the most scenic hiking trails in Georgia, taking you through a lush maritime forest.
You’ll see beautiful live oaks, red cedar, pines, and cabbage palmettos as you meander through salt marshes and tidal creeks that give you amazing views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
There are also several biking trails at the park, along with a boat ramp for those who want to spend time on the water.
Skidaway Island’s interpretive nature center boasts a bunch of fun family activities, such as a giant ground Sloth exhibit, reptile room, birding station, and other educational displays.
Skidaway Island State Park Lodging
The park has three camper cabins for overnight stays: Each has one bedroom and bathroom and can hold up to 5 people.
There are also 87 tent, trailer, and RV Campsites with back-in or pull-through driveways and water and sewer hookups.
For groups of 10+ people, the park also offers three pioneer campgrounds.
READ MORE: 40 Best Backpacks for Travelers
11. Smithgall Woods State Park
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA 30545
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available (All visitors must register at the Visitor Center)
https://gastateparks.org/SmithgallWoods
Now widely considered one of the best North Georgia state parks, the Smithgall Woods area was originally used for hydraulic gold mining in the 19th century.
The park gets its name from Charles A. Smithgall Jr., a conservationist who donated the state park land to Georgia as a gift.
Things to Do in Smithgall Woods State Park
With Dukes Creek (one of Georgia’s best trout streams) running through the park, Smithgall Woods is very popular with fisherman and is a great place for catch-and-release fishing.
There are also 28 miles of hiking trails that lead you through alluring woodlands scattered with wildflowers and tranquil creeks.
Some of the Smithgall Woods trails– like the one-mile Cathy Ellis trail, .9-mile Martin’s Mine trail, and Wetland Loop trail– will take you to one of north Georgia’s best waterfalls.
Other fun activities in the park include bird watching and archery.
Smithgall Woods State Park Lodging
There are six fully furnished Smithgall Woods State Park cottages available. All are located next to a one-mile trail that leads to Dukes Creek, and come with a telephone and television.
Picnic shelters and a pioneer campground are also available with advance reservation.
READ MORE: The Colors of Autumn in North Georgia’s Mountains
12. Stephen C. Foster State Park
17515 Highway 177
Fargo, GA 31631
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available (All visitors must register at the Visitor Center)
https://gastateparks.org/StephenCFoster
Entering the enchanting Okefenokee Swamp– one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders– through Stephen C. Foster State Park presents an incredible display of diverse wildlife, unique scenic views, and rousing outdoor adventure.
Things to Do in Stephen C. Foster State Park
Canoeing or kayaking through the swamp is the park’s main attraction. It’s an otherworldly experience, gliding through the reflections of Spanish moss dangling from the trees above, with various wildlife peeking out across the swamp.
Turtles, Deer, Wood Storks, Herons, and Black Bears are just a few of the countless creatures you may see here, but the most frequent sighting is the American Alligator. Nearly 12,000 are estimated to live in the area!
Daytime, nighttime, and sunset guided boat tours of the swamp are also available, and you can rent canoes, kayaks or Jon boats at the park office.
Stephen C. Foster State Park is Georgia’s first International Dark Sky Park. So you can gaze up at the stars and see the Milky Way with minimal light interference. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a meteor dashing across the sky!
Stephen C. Foster State Park Lodging
The park offers nine two-bedroom cottages that can hold 6 to 8 people, as well as 66 tent, trailer, and RV campsites.
Stays at the Suwannee River Eco Lodge are also popular, with full kitchen cottages that have screened porches and beautiful views of the forest.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Canoe Trips for Your World Travel Bucket List
13. Tallulah Gorge State Park
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available (Free permits are also required to visit the gorge floor and are limited to 100 per day)
https://gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge
Between the wildlife-filled hiking trails, a jaw-dropping 1,000-foot canyon (carved by the Tallulah River), and some of the most spectacular cascading waterfalls in north Georgia, Tallulah Gorge State Park offers adventures you won’t soon forget.
Things to Do in Tallulah Gorge State Park
The park boasts 20 miles of hiking trails, some of which will guide you to dazzling outlooks and across an 80-foot-high suspension bridge that offers stellar views of the canyon below.
To explore the bottom of Tallulah Gorge, take the Gorge Floor Trail after getting a permit from the Interpretive Center. They’re free, but limited to 100 per day, so get there early!
With access to the Tallulah River, the park offers amazing fishing, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing experiences. Whitewater rafting is also available during certain times of the year.
Tallulah Gorge State Park Lodging
There are 50 Tallulah Gorge campsites for tent, trailer, and RV camping, each with pull-through or back-in driveways and electricity and water hookups.
A pioneer campsite that can hold up to 25 people is also available, along with three backcountry Adirondack shelters.
READ MORE: The Best Backyard Camping Gear
14. Unicoi State Park
1788 Highway 356
Helen, GA 30545
Reservations: 800-573-9659
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://www.unicoilodge.com
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Unicoi State Park promises an unparalleled north GA nature experience. In our experience, the beautiful hiking trails, abundance of outdoor activities, and gorgeous mountains views may make you want to stay forever.
Things to Do in Unicoi State Park
Centered around the glistening Lake Unicoi (a.k.a. Smith Lake), this state park is perfect for boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding (available for rent for $15 a day during summer hours), or just enjoying the views from the lakeside beach area.
Avid fisherman will be delighted to find mountain steams filled with bream and mountain trout, and beginners can even take fly fishing classes.
The park also boasts some of the best hiking trails in north Georgia, including the ever-popular Unicoi Lake Loop Trail (2.5 miles) and the 4.8-mile Smith Creek Trail to the double cascades of Anna Ruby Falls. You can also hike a 3-mile trail to the Alpine town of Helen, GA.
Other fun activities at Unicoi include visiting the archery/air gun target range (where instructional classes are available) and GPS scavenger hunts.
Unicoi State Park Lodging
There are a variety of accommodations at the Unicoi State Park & Lodge, including 100 hotel-style rooms.
Choose from King rooms, double Queen rooms, or rooms with two full-sized beds, all of which offer Wi-Fi access and cable TV.
There are also some of the coolest barrel-shaped cabins in north Georgia, as well as 51 RV sites and 82 tent campsites.
READ MORE: Exploring Unicoi State Park & Lodge
15. Vogel State Park
405 Vogel State Park Road
Blairsville, GA 30512
Reservations: 800-864-7275
Entry Fee: $5 State Park Pass or $50 annual Park Passes are available
https://gastateparks.org/Vogel
One of the oldest state parks in Georgia, Vogel was established in 1931 and remains one of the most beloved north GA attractions.
Things to Do in Vogel State Park
Situated at the base of Blood Mountain in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park has some truly gorgeous hiking trails.
We especially love the Trahlyta Lake Trail, which crosses an earthen dam built back in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
You’ll also get a chance to gaze at one of the most alluring waterfalls in Georgia, Trahlyta Falls. You can hike right alongside it via the Bear Hair Gap Trail, which guides you through the lower ridges of Blood Mountain.
The seasonal Civilian Conservation Corps Museum is another fun activity to check out, along with renting out kayaks, paddleboards, and pedalboats to take out on the water.
Vogel State Park Lodging
For overnight stays, the park offers 34 one- and two-bedroom cottages, as well as walk-in campsites and RV-accessible campsites that have pull-through or back-in driveways.
There is also a pioneer campsite for groups of up to 50 people. –by Christina Maggitas; lead image courtesy of GaStateParks.org.
The post The 15 Best State Parks in Georgia appeared first on Green Global Travel.
