Photograph courtesy of GDECD
From coastal marshes to mountain forests, Georgia’s 47 state parks and recreation areas showcase the state’s diverse natural beauty and offer unmatched opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, biking, geocaching, paddling, golf and many more activities.
Atlanta Metro
Chattahoochee Bend State Park, Newnan
Visitors can choose from several types of campsites, including riverside platforms, paddle-in sites, walk-in sites and RV pull-throughs. Camping shelters surround a large fire pit, perfect for groups.
Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge
A 100-acre granite monadnock similar to Stone Mountain gives Panola its name. Ranger-led hikes, a paved bike trail, fishing ponds, an archery range and a nature center are available.
Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs
Outstanding hiking and Civil War–era mill ruins can be found just west of Atlanta. A small lake welcomes anglers to cast a line and paddlers to rent kayaks or paddleboats.
Coast
Crooked River State Park, St. Marys
Spanish moss and palmettos adorn this park on the intracoastal waterway. Guests enjoy fishing, boating, birding and visiting nearby Cumberland Island. Campsites and cabins are set near the tidal river.
Fort McAllister State Historic Park, Richmond Hill
In 1864, Gen. William T. Sherman ended his March to the Sea at this Civil War fort. Today, guests enjoy a museum and earthworks, fishing on the Ogeechee River, and camping and cabins overlooking salt marsh.
Laura S. Walker State Park, Waycross
A short drive from the Okefenokee Swamp, this park is home to fascinating creatures and flora, including alligators and carnivorous plants. Facilities include a golf course, a lake and beach, bike rental, trails and a campground.
Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah
Minutes from historic Savannah, this beautiful retreat is surrounded by salt marsh and maritime forest. New camper cabins and shaded campsites welcome guests to settle in and enjoy trails, bike rental and a birding station. Kids will like seeing the giant sloth replica and the reptile room.
Stephen C. Foster State Park, Fargo
This western entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp is home to more than 12,000 alligators, the largest reptiles in the country, as well as raccoons, black bears and numerous bird species. Canoes, kayaks and fishing boats can be rented to explore one of Georgia’s Seven Natural Wonders.
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Classic South
A.H. Stephens Historic Park, Crawfordville
Named after the vice president of the Confederacy and governor of Georgia, this park near Augusta features a Civil War museum, lakeside cabins, camping and exceptional equestrian facilities. Stephens’s home, Liberty Hall, is furnished in 1875 style and open for tours.
Elijah Clark State Park, Lincolnton
Situated on Clarks Hill Lake, this park offers boat ramps, a fishing pier, swimming, hiking trails, cabins and camping. A museum tells the story of the Revolutionary War hero for whom the park is named.
George L. Smith State Park, Twin City
A covered bridge and mill pond are the main features at this pretty park. Guests can rent kayaks to paddle among tupelo trees and Spanish moss. Fishing, birding and picnicking are popular activities.
Hamburg Outdoor Recreation Area, Mitchell
A 1921 water-powered gristmill welcomes visitors to this quiet park. Anglers can enjoy fishing for largemouth bass, crappie and bream in the small lake. Camping is available spring through fall.
Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen
A mix of beautiful scenery and recent Civil War excavations make this an interesting park to explore. A boardwalk spans the clear springs from which 7 million gallons of crystal-clear water flow each day.
Mistletoe State Park, Appling
Located on 71,100-acre Clarks Hill Lake, this getaway is known as one of the finest bass-fishing spots in the nation. Guests can cool off at the beach and explore 15 miles of trails.
Historic Heartland
Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
Challenging golf, great hiking and biking, and a swimming beach are top reasons to visit this quiet gem of a park just east of Atlanta. Horse owners will appreciate a range of equestrian facilities.
High Falls State Park, Jackson
Just off I-75, this park features yurts, camping, hiking trails, a swimming pool and the ruins of a brick powerhouse. Fishing for hybrid and white bass is excellent, and boats are available for rent.
Indian Springs State Park, Flovilla
One of our nation’s oldest state parks features a swimming and fishing lake, picnic areas, historic buildings, camping and cabins. Visitors can collect springwater thought to have healing qualities.
Magnolia Midlands
General Coffee State Park, Douglas
Goats, chickens and other farm animals welcome visitors as they tour log cabins, a corncrib, a tobacco barn and a cane mill. Seventeen Mile River winds through a cypress swamp where pitcher plants grow.
Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park, Reidsville
Gordonia-Alatamaha is a favorite destination for affordable golf and family reunions. Visitors can rent paddleboats and fishing boats during warmer months, and docks are available for fishing.
Little Ocmulgee State Park, McRae
A golf course, hotel and restaurant provide a relaxing getaway. Live oaks and Spanish moss lend shade to campsites, and cabins boast beautiful lake views. Children enjoy cooling off at the splash pad.
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Historic High Country
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
Located on Lookout Mountain, this is one of Georgia’s most scenic and rugged parks, offering exceptional hiking trails, waterfalls, caving and disc golf. Guests can stay in yurts, cabins or the campground.
Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth
Gorgeous mountain scenery and a mysterious rock wall are main attractions at this 3,712-acre park. Guests will also find bike trails, a swimming beach, horseback riding, a 1930s fire tower, camping and cabins.
James H. Floyd State Park, Summerville
Surrounded by countryside and national forest, this quiet park offers two fishing lakes, cabins, camping, picnic shelters and playgrounds. Visitors can explore hiking trails, relax in swings or rent canoes.
Red Top Mountain State Park, Cartersville
This popular destination on 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona is ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. Hikers and bikers can explore 15 miles of trails. History and nature programs are offered throughout the year.
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Northeast Mountains
Amicalola Falls State Park, Dawsonville
Spectacular scenery and hiking make this one of Georgia’s most popular parks. At 729 feet, Amicalola is the tallest cascade in the Southeast. The visitor center includes an Appalachian Trail display and gift shop.
Black Rock Mountain State Park, Clayton
Georgia’s highest state park showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas, and hiking trails lead past spring wildflowers and streams.
Bobby Brown Outdoor Recreation Area, Elberton
Water-sport enthusiasts will enjoy easy access to Clarks Hill Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Southeast. A boat ramp is open year-round, and the self-registration campground is open seasonally.
Don Carter State Park, Gainesville
Located on Lake Lanier, Georgia’s newest state park features a large sand swimming beach with bathhouse. Boat ramps provide quick access to the lake, and a paved, hilly trail welcomes hikers and bikers to explore the hardwood forest.
Fort Yargo State Park, Winder
This popular park near Winder is known for outstanding mountain bike trails and disc golf, as well as a swimming beach, boat rental and 1792 fort. Yurts offer a unique “glamping” experience.
Hart Outdoor Recreation Area, Hurtle
Swimming and boating on 55,590-acre Lake Hartwell are prime reasons to visit. Largemouth bass, hybrid bass, striper, crappie, rainbow trout and walleyed pike can be found in the sparkling waters. Camping is seasonal.
Moccasin Creek State Park, Clarkesville
Campers will enjoy relaxing on the shores of lovely Lake Burton, while anglers can tour the adjacent trout-rearing station. Excellent hiking trails are nearby, and canoes can be rented during warmer months.
Richard B. Russell State Park, Elberton
Visitors to this 26,650-acre lake will find some of the state’s finest fishing and boating. Campsites and cabins are near the water’s edge. The park is known for its well-kept disc golf course, as well as an outstanding 18-hole traditional course.
Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen
Dukes Creek, a nationally renowned trout stream, runs through this 5,664-acre property just outside Helen. Well-appointed cabins, some with hot tubs, can be rented for romantic getaways.
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls
Hikers can get permits to explore this spectacular canyon with swinging bridge and overlooks. During April and November water releases, kayakers come from across the country to brave the rapids.
Tugaloo State Park, Lavonia
A six-lane mega boat ramp provides quick access to Lake Hartwell, and some cabins have their own docks. Visitors can enjoy a swimming beach, hiking trails, volleyball, picnic shelters and geocaching.
Unicoi State Park, Helen
Abundant recreation—from mountain biking to butter churning—and a range of accommodations make Unicoi a popular mountain destination. Hiking and biking trails lead to Anna Ruby Falls and downtown Helen.
Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston
This little-known gem features a swimming pool, nature trails, bike trails, picnic spots, small fishing ponds and camping. Highland Walk golf course is open for daily play.
Vogel State Park, Blairsville
One of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel is located at the base of Blood Mountain. Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, and a museum tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer
After crossing Georgia’s longest covered bridge, outdoor enthusiasts will find hiking, biking and even horseback-riding trails. During summer, visitors can play in the river shoals just below the bridge.
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Plantation Trace
George T. Bagby State Park, Fort Gaines
This resort park on 48,000-acre Lake Walter F. George offers a hotel, restaurant, 18-hole golf course, meeting space and marina. The state record blue catfish was captured from this lake in 2010.
Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park, Blakely
This historically significant park is the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the southeastern U.S., occupied from 350 to 750 A.D. Today’s guests can fish, canoe, camp and explore a museum.
Reed Bingham State Park, Adel
Just off I-75, pretty Reed Bingham features a 375-acre lake and beach, nature programs, boat and bike rental, hiking trails, camping and picnicking. Guests can look for bald eagles, alligators and gopher tortoises year-round and spot thousands of vultures as they congregate during the winter.
Seminole State Park, Bainbridge
This water-lover’s paradise on a 37,500-acre lake includes a swimming beach, picnic shelters, nature trails, cabins, RV and tent sites, and even tree-house camping. Hunters can explore nearby Wildlife Management Areas.
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Presidential Pathways
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain
At 9,049 acres, Georgia’s largest state park is a hiker’s and historian’s haven. A life-size sculpture of the president, 40 miles of trails, pool, horse stables, fishing pond, campground and historic cabins are main attractions.
Florence Marina State Park, Omaha
Anglers and boaters are drawn to this retreat on 45,000-acre Lake Walter F. George. A museum tells of Paleo-Indians, Native Americans and area wildlife. Overnight guests can choose from efficiency units, cabins and campsites.
Georgia Veterans State Park, Cordele
A golf course, resort, 8,700-acre lake and proximity to I-75 make this one of Georgia’s most visited parks. A museum features aircraft and items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War.
Providence Canyon Outdoor Recreation Area, Lumpkin
Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” may have been created by poor farming practices, but it is heralded by photographers and hikers. The soil’s pink, orange, red and purple hues make a beautiful natural painting.
Resorts, Lodges and Unique Accommodations
Georgia State Parks operates several lodges and one-of-a-kind retreats across the state.
Amicalola Falls Lodge*, Dawsonville
The Lodge at Amicalola Falls is a stunning 57-room hideaway. Guests can visit the falls, hike mountain trails and explore towering forests.
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, Young Harris
Brasstown Valley Resort redefines the mountain getaway, offering championship golf, horse stables and riding trails, spa and exceptional dining.
Burnham House, Nicholls
Lodging at General Coffee State Park, one of South Georgia’s best-kept secrets, includes the Burnham House, an elegantly decorated 19th-century cabin ideal for romantic getaways.
George T. Bagby Lodge*, Fort Gaines
Book a room at the Lodge at George T. Bagby and experience southwest Georgia’s pristine forests, as well as championship golf and scenic dining.
Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club*, Cordele
Nestled in Georgia Veterans State Park, the beautiful lakeside resort offers outstanding boating and fishing, golf and a military museum.
Len Foote Hike Inn, Dawsonville
Georgia’s only backcountry inn offers soft beds, hot showers and great food at the end of a beautiful five-mile journey from Amicalola Falls through the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Little Ocmulgee Lodge*, Helena
Spend your days enjoying golf, tennis and hiking, as well as swimming, boating or fishing, then bed down in one of the lodge’s hotel-style rooms.
Reynolds Mansion on Sapelo Island
Serving groups of 16 to 26 adults, the mansion enchants guests with impeccable service, classic architecture and easy access to the barrier island’s forested uplands, vast salt marsh and pristine beach.
Smithgall Woods, Helen
This elegant mountain retreat along one of Georgia’s premier trout streams features six beautifully decorated cottages, which provide 17 bedrooms.
Suwannee River Eco-Lodge, Fargo
Located in Fargo, 18 miles from the Okefenokee Swamp, the Suwannee River Eco-Lodge features cottages with kitchens, meeting space, a barbecue shelter and commercial kitchen.
Unicoi Lodge*, Helen
Nestled between the Chattahoochee National Forest and the alpine village of Helen, this rustic retreat offers cottages with wood-burning fireplaces and contemporary guest rooms.
*Georgia’s State Parks with lodges are operated through a partnership with the North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality.
Activity Clubs
Whether you’re into hiking, biking or paddling, Georgia’s state parks have a challenge for you.
Join the Canyon Climbers Club Challenge and scale to the top of Amicalola Falls, explore the depths of Providence Canyon, brave the swinging bridge in Tallulah Gorge and face the daunting staircase in Cloudland Canyon.
Break out your bicycle, helmet and stain-busting laundry detergent for the Muddy Spokes Club Challenge. The club challenges mountain bikers and casual cyclists to tackle 69 miles of trails at 11 state parks.
Be a part of the Park Paddlers Club Challenge and discover Georgia’s rivers, mill ponds, lakes and even the celebrated Okefenokee Swamp.
Club paddlers explore 22 miles of waterways at six state parks.
Georgia State Parks for Groups
From intimate gatherings to large family reunions, youth campouts to corporate retreats, Georgia’s state parks offer facilities for all kinds of gatherings.
The parks are ideal settings for weddings and receptions. Indian Springs State Park features a historic stone pavilion where you can dance the night away. Crooked River offers a riverside wedding arbor. Black Rock Mountain and Cloudland Canyon have small overlooks where you can renew your vows. Fort King George Historic Site can even host an oyster roast for your reception.
For those planning a golf outing or fundraiser, Georgia State Park Golf Courses offer exceptional variety and value. Eight courses feature natural settings and picturesque surroundings, and PGA Professionals are on hand to help with all of the details to make your event a success. Packages also include a variety of accommodations.
Geocaching
It’s easy to see why geocaching is rapidly becoming one of the most popular outdoor activities in Georgia State Parks. It combines the high-tech feel of online games with the old-fashioned fun of a treasure hunt.
Using a GPS or smartphone with a GPS app, you search 57 parks and historic sites around the state to discover hidden containers or “caches” that contain a small prize. (The coordinates to all caches are available online at geocaching.com.) Take a prize and leave one for the next person. After signing the logbook, go back online and share your experience.
There are 43 parks participating in the Parks GeoTour, and 14 historic sites on the History Trail GeoTour. The history trail features indoor boxes with combination locks that can only be opened after solving the clues and discovering the combination. It’s a new twist on some of Georgia’s oldest attractions!
Photograph courtesy of Georgia DNR
Georgia Historic Sites
Georgia’s rich history is brought to life at outstanding historic sites throughout the state.
American Indians
Chief Vann House State Historic Site, Chatsworth, Historic High Country
Called the “Showplace of the Cherokee Nation,” this brick mansion is decorated with beautiful carvings and a cantilevered stairway. A museum, barn and garden tell the story of early 1800s life.
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, Cartersville, Historic High Country
Visitors to these ancient earthen mounds can climb to the top and imagine life 1,000 years ago. Benches welcome guests to relax by the Etowah River, and a museum displays numerous artifacts.
New Echota State Historic Site, Calhoun, Historic High Country
New Echota was the Cherokee capital from 1825 until 1838, when families were forced westward during the Trail of Tears. Visitors can tour the courthouse, Vann’s Tavern, missionary home, print shop, museum and other buildings.
Gold Rush
Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, Dahlonega, Northeast Mountains
Many people are surprised to learn that our nation’s first gold rush began in Georgia, not California. This museum houses coins minted in the mid-1800s, a hydraulic cannon, large nuggets and film.
Military History
Fort King George State Historic Site, Darien, Coast
The site of the earliest English fort on Georgia’s coast is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Visitors can climb into a cypress blockhouse and explore officers’ quarters, barracks, a guardhouse, a moat, a museum and a nature trail.
Fort Morris State Historic Site, Midway, Coast
This earthen fort protected Georgia against the British in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. A museum describes the colonial port of Sunbury, and binoculars are available for birding.
Jefferson Davis Memorial State Historic Site, Fitzgerald, Plantation Trace
A monument marks the spot where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union cavalry in May 1865. The 13-acre site also includes a museum, a gift shop, a short trail, picnic tables and a group shelter.
Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site, Dallas, Historic High Country
Pickett’s Mill is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation; highlights include a museum, earthworks and wooded trails. The 1864 battle was one of the few Confederate victories during Gen. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign.
Plantations
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site, Brunswick, Coast
Georgia’s forgotten rice empire comes alive at this scenic plantation set among live oaks near the Altamaha River. Visitors can tour the antebellum home and a museum showcasing fine silver and a model of the plantation during its heyday.
Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site, Juliette, Historic Heartland
This former cotton plantation in Middle Georgia features 20 buildings dating from 1847 to 1945, including the original main house built of pine, a three-story barn and a smokehouse, cane press, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, sawmill and syrup mill.
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah, Coast
A breathtaking avenue lined with live oaks leads to the tabby ruins of this colonial frontier home. A museum houses artifacts excavated at Wormsloe and presents a film about the founding of Georgia, the 13th American colony.
Unique Homes
Lapham-Patterson House State Historic Site, Thomasville, Plantation Trace
Constructed with no right angles, this 1884 home is a monument to the creative engineering and craftsmanship of the Victorian era. It had its own gas lighting system and indoor plumbing.
Robert Toombs House State Historic Site, Washington, Classic South
Located in a town known for lovely Southern architecture, this white-columned estate tells the story of Sen. Robert Toombs’s participation in the Civil War.
Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historic Site, Warm Springs, Presidential Pathways
Franklin D. Roosevelt built this modest house in 1932 to be near the natural warm springs used by polio patients. Today’s visitors see original furnishings and a museum housing his hand-controlled Ford.
Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site, Toccoa, Northeast Mountains
This 1833 stagecoach inn and plantation welcomed travelers along the Unicoi Turnpike, a busy highway across the Appalachian Mountains. Many furnishings are original antiques by Caleb Shaw.
To learn more about any of Georgia’s state parks or historic sites, visit gastateparks.org.
