Georgia is residence to a few of the most stunning nationwide parks within the nation. From the rolling hills of the Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest to the seashores of Cumberland Island Nationwide Seashore, there’s something for everybody in Georgia’s nationwide parks. Right here is the record of 11 of our favourite state and nationwide parks in Georgia.
Checklist of Nationwide Parks in Georgia
With as a lot wilderness and nature to see in Georgia, you may be shocked that there are not any Nationwide Parks in your complete state. However, for those who lengthen your exploration standards to incorporate different models run by Nationwide Park Service, resembling Nationwide Recreation Areas, Nationwide Monuments, Nationwide Preserves, and State Parks, your choices will develop into nearly limitless!
1. Appalachian Nationwide Scenic Path
The Appalachian Path, often known as the Appalachian Nationwide Scenic Path, is a well-known long-distance path that begins in Georgia and stretches north to Maine. It’s 180 miles lengthy, and you can begin this path at Spring Mountain in Georgia.
The Appalachian Path is so well-known in the USA and Canada as a result of so many hikers dream of tackling this in depth path at the least as soon as of their lifetime. Only a few accomplish that, and solely the perfect thru-hikers can accomplish it.
Fortunately you would not have to be an excessive hiker to benefit from the Appalachian Path, and even mountain climbing some smaller parts of it whereas in Georgia is nicely well worth the time!
2. Arabia Mountain Nationwide Heritage Space
Whereas not technically a Nationwide Park, the Nationwide Park Service runs Arabia Mountain Nationwide Heritage Space. This huge space spans over 40,000 acres and consists of historic websites, stunning landscapes, and two big granite outcrops which have taken 400 million years to kind.
There are many mountain climbing and biking trails all through Arabia Mountain, with a 33-mile path connecting a few of the hottest sights within the space.
In the event you get pleasure from scenic landscapes and historic websites, Arabia Mountain Nationwide Heritage Space has loads of completely different buildings, communities, and museums to discover.
3. Chattahoochee River Nationwide Recreation Space
The Chattahoochee River Nationwide Recreation Space protects quite a few areas alongside the Chattahoochee River between Atlanta and Lake Sidney. This 48-mile stretch of river has loads of stunning areas to discover in addition to historic websites.
Probably the most in style actions right here is floating the river, however there are additionally alternatives for fishing, mountain climbing, biking, and viewing wildlife.
The wonderful thing about the Chattahoochee River Nationwide Recreation Space is that it’s the good spot to both spend a few fast hours or a few days, relying in your schedule, as it might accommodate each.
4. Cumberland Island Nationwide Seashore
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost island off of its coast. Right here you’ll find maritime forests, undisturbed seashores, and big marshlands filled with wildlife.
There is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do on Cumberland Island, whether or not it’s swimming on the seashores, kayaking, fishing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, or exploring the island searching for the proper pictures places.
From stunning sandy seashores to lush forests, Cumberland Island is a superb place to go to when in jap Georgia. If you’re within the space, you’ll not need to miss this one, simply don’t neglect your fishing pole and sunscreen!
5. Windfall Canyon State Park
Often called Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” Windfall Canyon has completely different layers of crimson, orange, and pink canyon partitions to see. You possibly can both hike alongside the rim for some stunning photograph alternatives from a bird-eye’s view or enterprise down into the canyon itself.
Campers and backpackers can keep right here in a single day alongside the backcountry trails that wind by way of the canyon and close by forests or in one of many established campgrounds.
If tenting isn’t your factor, the close by Florence Marina State Park has loads of cabins and rooms to remain in. Irrespective of the place you keep, Windfall Canyon State Park is nicely well worth the journey!
6. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Discovered within the northeastern nook of Georgia, Tallulah Gorge State Park is residence to one more spectacular canyon on this state. At practically two miles lengthy and over 1,000 toes deep, there are many locations to discover and see.
Down within the canyon itself, you’ll discover no scarcity of waterfalls, trails, rapids, and even a lake with a seashore. Additionally, you will discover a suspension bridge that spans 80 toes above the underside, giving the proper views of the river and close by waterfalls.
Whereas there isn’t a tenting on this park, the close by Black Rock Mountain State Park has loads of cabins and campsites to remain at.
7. Stone Mountain State Park
Solely discovered 15 miles from town of Atlanta, Stone Mountain State Park is well Georgia’s hottest park. In addition to its location, this may additionally be due partly to its many uncommon sights, resembling a laser present that includes drones, flame cannons, fireworks, lights, and music.
One other attraction is the Summit Skyride which makes use of a Swiss cable automotive to offer you some unbelievable views of the world’s largest aid carving and the encircling mountains.
Tenting is out there at this park, and you’ll simply discover no scarcity of issues to see or do at this thrilling and unusual state park!
8. Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain State Park is a wholesome mixture of a historic web site and a nature protect. It will get its identify from an historical stone rock wall that was constructed anyplace from 500 to 1500 CE. This 800 foot plus lengthy wall was constructed on the crest of a mountain, and archaeologists nonetheless debate its supposed use.
In addition to the unbelievable historical past, this park additionally has loads of areas for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers, with over 60 miles price of trails to experience and discover.
Fort Mountain additionally features a miniature golf course, a fishing lake with boat and kayak leases, and a museum to go to. This state park has one thing for almost everybody, regardless of their preferences!
9. Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon is a nature fanatic’s paradise. This park has over 3,500 acres of wilderness to discover, together with a number of caves, waterfalls, and scenic views. The 2 waterfalls will be accessed by mountain climbing down over 600 steps, simply keep in mind you must hike again up!
There are over 64 miles of mountain climbing trails, 16 miles of horseback driving trails, and 30 miles of biking trails to discover, relying in your mode of transportation.
There’s additionally an 18-hole disc golf course and geocaches all through the park, so there isn’t a finish to the various prospects that this superb state park can give you if you go to!
10. Fort Yargo State Park
Fort Yargo encompasses a 260-acre lake that offers you the alternatives to fish, swim, or go boating. There are additionally loads of sandy seashores for picnics, sunbathing, and many others.
With over 50 campsites, a number of cabins, cottages, and yurts, there are many locations to remain when you go to, and with its splendid state of affairs between Athens and Atlanta, you could possibly even cease in for a number of hours.
From the a number of mountain climbing or biking trails to the attractive lake, Fort Yargo is usually an underappreciated park to go to and perhaps even unknown to individuals within the space, however it’s nicely well worth the time to see!
11. Stephen C. Foster State Park
Stephen C. Foster State Park is a 120-acre state park discovered within the Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia. This distant park was particularly made to showcase the swamp and its distinctive ecosystem, from its wildlife to its vegetation.
Adventurers and photographers shall be completely happy to know that there are considerable animals to see, from alligators, bears, deer, storks, raccoons, and tons of of various species of birds.
Over 400,000 acres, Stephen C. Foster State Park has loads of area to unfold your legs and see a few of the most pristine nature that the state of Georgia presents!
Nationwide Parks in Georgia | Last Ideas
Whereas Georgia could not have any nationwide parks of its personal, it’s nonetheless residence to a few of the nation’s finest nature parks and preserves. It might be removed from the most well-liked vacationer vacation spot in the USA, but it surely nonetheless presents some superb locations you need to put in your journey record!