Georgia is residence to a few of the most stunning nationwide parks within the nation. From the rolling hills of the Chattahoochee National Forest to the seashores of Cumberland Island National Seashore, there’s something for everybody in Georgia’s nationwide parks. Here is the record of 11 of our favourite state and nationwide parks in Georgia.
List of National Parks in Georgia
With as a lot wilderness and nature to see in Georgia, you may be stunned that there are not any National Parks in all the state. But, if you happen to lengthen your exploration standards to incorporate different models run by National Park Service, similar to National Recreation Areas, National Monuments, National Preserves, and State Parks, your choices will develop into nearly limitless!
1. Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail, also referred to as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, is a well-known long-distance path that begins in Georgia and stretches north to Maine. It is 180 miles lengthy, and you can begin this path at Spring Mountain in Georgia.
The Appalachian Trail is so well-known within the United States 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. Very few accomplish that, and solely one of the best thru-hikers can accomplish it.
Luckily you don’t have to be an excessive hiker to benefit from the Appalachian Trail, and even mountaineering some smaller parts of it whereas in Georgia is nicely definitely worth the time!
2. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
While not technically a National Park, the National Park Service runs Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. This huge space spans over 40,000 acres and consists of historic websites, stunning landscapes, and two large granite outcrops which have taken 400 million years to kind.
There are loads of mountaineering and biking trails all through Arabia Mountain, with a 33-mile path connecting a few of the hottest points of interest within the space.
If you get pleasure from scenic landscapes and historic websites, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area has loads of completely different buildings, communities, and museums to discover.
3. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area protects various 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.
One of the preferred actions right here is floating the river, however there are additionally alternatives for fishing, mountaineering, biking, and viewing wildlife.
The beauty of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is that it’s the good spot to both spend a few fast hours or a few days, relying in your schedule, as it will probably accommodate each.
4. Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southernmost island off of its coast. Here you will discover maritime forests, undisturbed seashores, and large marshlands stuffed with wildlife.
There isn’t any scarcity of issues to do on Cumberland Island, whether or not it’s swimming on the seashores, kayaking, fishing, mountaineering, mountain biking, or exploring the island in search of the right images places.
From stunning sandy seashores to lush forests, Cumberland Island is a superb place to go to when in jap Georgia. If you might be within the space, you’ll not wish to miss this one, simply don’t neglect your fishing pole and sunscreen!
5. Providence Canyon State Park
Known as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon has completely different layers of pink, orange, and pink canyon partitions to see. You 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 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. No matter the place you keep, Providence Canyon State Park is nicely definitely worth the journey!
6. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Found within the northeastern nook of Georgia, Tallulah Gorge State Park is residence to one more spectacular canyon on this state. At almost two miles lengthy and over 1,000 toes deep, there are many locations to discover and see.
Down within the canyon itself, you will see that no scarcity of waterfalls, trails, rapids, and even a lake with a seaside. You will even discover a suspension bridge that spans 80 toes above the underside, giving the right views of the river and close by waterfalls.
While there is no such thing as 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
Only discovered 15 miles from the town of Atlanta, Stone Mountain State Park is definitely Georgia’s hottest park. Besides its location, this may also be due partly to its many uncommon points of interest, similar to a laser present that includes drones, flame cannons, fireworks, lights, and music.
Another attraction is the Summit Skyride which makes use of a Swiss cable automobile to offer you some unbelievable views of the world’s largest reduction carving and the encompassing mountains.
Camping is obtainable 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 historic 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 meant use.
Besides the unbelievable historical past, this park additionally has loads of areas for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers, with over 60 miles value 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 nearly 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 two waterfalls may be accessed by mountaineering down over 600 steps, simply keep in mind it’s important to hike again up!
There are over 64 miles of mountaineering trails, 16 miles of horseback driving trails, and 30 miles of biking trails to discover, relying in your mode of transportation.
There can be an 18-hole disc golf course and geocaches all through the park, so there is no such thing as a finish to the numerous potentialities that this wonderful state park can give you whenever you go to!
10. Fort Yargo State Park
Fort Yargo encompasses a 260-acre lake that provides you the alternatives to fish, swim, or go boating. There are additionally loads of sandy seashores for picnics, sunbathing, and so forth.
With over 50 campsites, a number of cabins, cottages, and yurts, there are many locations to remain whilst you go to, and with its ideally suited scenario between Athens and Atlanta, you can even cease in for a couple of hours.
From the a number of mountaineering or biking trails to the attractive lake, Fort Yargo is commonly an underappreciated park to go to and perhaps even unknown to individuals within the space, however it’s nicely definitely 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 might be comfortable to know that there are plentiful animals to see, from alligators, bears, deer, storks, raccoons, and a whole lot 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 affords!
National Parks in Georgia | Final Thoughts
While Georgia might not have any nationwide parks of its personal, it’s nonetheless residence to a few of the nation’s greatest nature parks and preserves. It could also be removed from the preferred vacationer vacation spot within the United States, but it surely nonetheless affords some wonderful locations you wish to put in your journey record!