Increasingly more and more US Citizens are staying home. This trend began before the pandemic, but with the months of “shelter-in-place rules,” it has become even more entrenched. A few of my favorite places to visit are the Georgia State Parks. This is a resource for folks of all ages to enjoy, find refreshment for their spirits, and commune with nature. I reached out to our state parks, and Kim Hatcher, public affairs coordinator joins us.
There are over 60 State Parks and Historic Sites that we can visit this year. A few of my favorite parks are Cloudland Canyon State Park, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Jekyll Island State Park, and Brasstown Bald.
I asked Hatcher to tell us a little about our State Park System which encompasses over 84,000 acres that stretch from the mountains to the marshes. She shares that I mentioned two of the most popular parks, Cloudland Canyon and Tallulah Gorge, but she encourages us to remember the parks located in the middle and south of our state. She mentions Steven Foster State Park and Fort Mountain State Park. Hatcher explains that they are less crowded and have wonderful views and amenities.
The last time I visited Cloudland Canyon, I noticed that there were yurts to rent. Other accommodations, including campsites, are also available, and I asked Hatcher about staying in the parks. She shares that accommodation offerings include RV setups and camping sites that range from walk-ins with access to bath houses to cottages with full kitchens. She advises us to reserve early, and that Georgia citizens can reserve up to 14 months in advance. She shared that Chattahoochee Bend State Park has three new cottages available for rent.
One of the things I enjoy when visiting our State Parks are the hiking trails. All trails are rated, so you know what you’re getting into. Hatcher speaks about the variety of trails available. At many parks trails are paved and easy to traverse for people of all ages and abilities. I asked about my challenge when my parents joined me, they use walkers. Hatcher speaks about the all-terrain wheelchairs that can be reserved through an initiative, “Outdoors Beyond Barriers.”
The Georgia State Parks have a partnership with our local libraries, and before visiting a State Park, you can check out a State Park visitor’s kit. These usually contain maps, bird watching books, binoculars, parking passes, entrance passes, and more. I asked Hatcher about this, and she spoke about checking out the parking passes and Historic site entrance passes. She mentions that you can also purchase an annual pass. She also mentioned the Georgia State Park Passport, which allows you to keep a record of your park visits in a little blue book that looks like a passport.
Our State Park also allows for rental of large campsites with multiple picnic tables there are also facilities with commercial kitchens attached. Two parks have new facilities available for rent Ft. Yargo State Park and Indian Springs State Park both have hosted events from wedding receptions to family reunions.
For more information on the Georgia State Park System
For more information on the Junior Park Ranger Program
For more information on the Tails on the Trails Program to walk with dogs