Great Deals on November Getaways
November is a perfect time to enjoy the calm before the holidays with off-season rates at your favorite Georgia State Park. November is also less crowded, meaning it’s a great time to view wildlife and enjoy quiet walks in the woods. Choose from lodges with restaurants and great views, cozy cottages with fireplaces, modern campsites and even our unique yurts. Lodge rates start at just $59 per night Sunday through Thursday. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy stay-and-play golf packages as well. For reservations, call 1-800-864-7275 or book online. For information on golf packages or tee times, call 800-434-0982 or visit GeorgiaGolf.com.
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Veterans Day is November 11
Honor the men and women who served our country with Veterans Day events at parks tied to our nation’s history. On Saturday, November 10, you can meet the survivor of a 1953 airplane crash or tour a military museum. From Friday through Sunday, cyclists can join a bike ride through southwest Georgia.
Veterans Day Program Honoring Crew and Survivor of 1953 Plane Crash
F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Honor Navy veteran Richard K. Schmidt, the sole survivor of an October 1, 1953 airplane crash. The USAF B-25 bomber took off from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida with six on board and crashed near Dowdell’s Knob in F.D. Roosevelt State Park. Only Mr. Schmidt survived. After the ceremony and an Air Force flyover, guests can join Mr. Schmidt for a short walk to the crash site. Meet at Dowdell’s Knob. $5 parking. (706) 663-4858.
Tribute to Veterans
Georgia Veterans State Park, Cordele
Saturday, November 10, 2012
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Honor our nation's heros with a radio-controlled model airplane fly-in and a 1:00 p.m. ceremony with guest speaker, bagpipes and drums, and color guard. Visitors may tour the park's military museum and outdoor exhibits, including aircraft. $5 parking. (229) 276-2371
Presidents and Patriots Park-to-Park Bike Ride Southwest Georgia Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 9-11, 2012 This 3-day bike ride travels from Florence Marina State Park to Georgia Veterans State Park, SAM Shortline Excursion Train, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site and Andersonville National Historic Site and Cemetery. The registration fee includes camping, entertainment, some food and activities. $35-$55. (229) 276-2371
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Thanksgiving Buffets & Beautiful Hikes
Start a new tradition by taking your loved ones to Georgia’s State Park Lodges for a Thanksgiving feast without the work and mess. Lunch buffets are offered at Amicalola Falls, George T. Bagby, Little Ocmulgee and Unicoi state parks. Afterward, you can hit the trails to walk off the pumpkin pie. For even more time together with family and friends, stay overnight in our hotel-style lodges, some with suites and children’s sleeping lofts. Reservations are required for Thanksgiving buffets. Prices vary, but range from $8.95 for children to $26.95 for adults.
To make reservations, call the lodges directly at: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville (706) 265-8888 George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge, Fort Gaines (229) 768-2571 Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge, McRae (229) 868-7474 Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen (706) 878-2201
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Holiday Gift Ideas
Getting a jumpstart to your holiday shopping? Georgia State Parks have affordable gift ideas for the outdoor lovers on your list. From Annual ParkPasses and Historic Site Passes to Friends Memberships and Annual Golf GreensPasses, the parks offer something for everyone and convenient stocking stuffers. We even have gift shops in many park offices, filled with books, hiking sticks, clothing, toys, fishing supplies and more. Click here to learn more.
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November Water Releases Through Tallulah Gorge
For just a few days each year, the waterfalls flowing through Tallulah Gorge State Park grow to more than 10 times their normal amount, challenging whitewater kayakers from all across the country. During these dam releases, you can watch paddlers from the safety of rim trails and overlooks. On a typical day, the water flow through the gorge is 35-40 CFS (cubic feet per second), but during whitewater releases, the flow is 500 CFS on Saturday and 700 CFS on Sunday. Join the celebration on November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18, or mark your calendar to return next April. Camping and cabins are available nearby at Black Rock Mountain State Park.
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Controlling Deer Overpopulation
To maintain healthy deer herds, many of Georgia’s State Parks hold managed hunts on just a few days each year. Hunters are chosen through a lottery, and spaces are already filled for this year. The following parks will be closed to the public during these quota hunts. To learn more, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting.
Hard Labor Creek State Park, November 6-7 Panola Mountain State Park, November 13-14 Red Top Mountain State Park, November 27-28 Tugaloo State Park, November 30-December 2 Fort Yargo State Park, December 4-5 Mistletoe State Park, December 4-5 Richard B. Russell State Park, December 4-5 F. D. Roosevelt State Park, December 4-5 Chattahooche Bend State Park, December 12-13
November 2012 Events
Divided By Region
Below are just some of the many programs happening in November. Check GeorgiaStateParks.org/events for a full calendar.
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Hayrides and Campfires Saturday, November 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Cloudland Canyon State Park – Rising Fawn Enjoy wildlife, late fall colors and the beauty of the park while riding on our tractor-pulled hay wagon, then sit around the campfire and roast marshmallows and hot dogs while sipping hot apple cider. $3-$5 plus $5 parking. (706) 657-4050.
Backpacking 101 Saturday, November 10, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park – Summerville Ever wanted to go backpacking but never knew where to start? Learn what to bring, where to go and get your hands on some of the gear. $2 plus $5 parking. (706) 857-0826.
Make Your Own Basket Saturday, November 10 and 17, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen Fall into the rhythm of weaving with basket maker Jan Stansell of Black Mountain Crafts. Leave with a completed berry basket to keep or give away at the holidays. Advance registration required. $35 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Appalachian Thanksgiving Thursday, November 22, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge – Dawsonville Enjoy living history demonstrations in the lower lodge lobby. Explore the magic of handmade folk toys, and try your hand at churning butter. $5 parking. (706) 344-1505.
Festival of Trees Friday, November 23 through Saturday, December 8, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen View beautifully decorated trees throughout Unicoi Lodge. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.
COASTAL GEORGIA
The Debatable Land Saturday, November 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fort King George Historic Site – Darien Living history presentations will highlight the various cultures and peoples that inhabited our region before Georgia was established in the 1730s. A battle re-enactment will take place at 2 p.m. $3.75- $6.50 (912) 437-4770.
Sugar Cane Festival Saturday, November 17, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. George L. Smith State Park – Twin City Watch us grinding sugar cane and making cane syrup, and browse craft and food booths. Civil War living history with cannon and musket demonstrations can be enjoyed throughout the day, along with live bluegrass. Guests can also participate in crafts and a canoe race. $1 plus $5 parking. (478) 763-2759.
Come & Take It! – American Revolution Encampment Saturday, November 17, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fort Morris Historic Site – Midway This American Revolution encampment commemorates Colonel John McIntosh's defiant reply to a British demand for surrender: "Come & Take It!" Watch colonial demonstrations, musket and cannon drills, skirmish, 18th century music and more. (912) 884-5999.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Kayak Trip Friday, November 23, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Crooked River State Park – St. Marys Work off your Thanksgiving meal and bring leftovers for a sandbar picnic during this three-hour marsh kayak adventure. No experience necessary. Gear provided. Reservations required. $35-$85 plus $5 parking. (912) 882-5256.
Thank Goodness for the Moon Friday, November 23, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Stephen C. Foster State Park – Fargo Meet near the Trading Post where we'll have high powered telescopes focused on the moon. You'll be able to see the craters, which were created by meteorites, and learn fun facts about the moon. Registration required. $5 Refuge Parking plus $3. (912) 637-5274.
SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA
Syrup Makin’ Time on the Plantation Saturday, November 3, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Jarrell Plantation Historic Site – Juliette Ever chewed fresh sugar cane, sipped cane juice, or poured cane syrup on a biscuit? Experience a sugarcane harvest and syrup cook-off the way it was done every fall on the farm. Also see folk life demonstrations. $4-$6.50 (478) 986-5172.
Astronomy Night Saturday, November 10, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Providence Canyon State Park Outdoor Recreation Area – Lumpkin Providence Canyon is an ideal location to view night skies because there is virtually no light pollution. Join Columbus State University as they reveal the night skies through the use of telescopes and share mythological stories about the constellations. $5 parking. (229) 838-4706.
Pioneer Harvest Festival Saturday, November 10, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. General Coffee State Park – Nicholls The Heritage Farm will come to life as volunteers demonstrate the skills of farm life from the 1800s. This festival includes crafters, musicians and dancers. $1-$2 plus $5 parking. (912) 384-1581.
Indian & Pioneer Living Tuesday, November 20, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mistletoe State Park – Appling Children 8-12 will step back in time as they experience how pioneer and Indian children lived. They will learn the signs of nature on a hike and how important wildlife and plants were to everyday living. Children will make their own butter, pioneer toys and candles. Register by Nov. 19. $20. (706) 541-0321.
Train Trip: Plains Tree Lighting Saturday, November 24, 1 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. SAM Shortline Excursion Train – Cordele Take a tourist train across southern Georgia. Groups and parties welcome. 1-877-427-2457.
METRO ATLANTA
Nighttime Hayrides & Native American Storytelling Friday, November 2 through Saturday, November 3, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site – Cartersville Tours and programs will be offered during the day. Hayrides are offered at 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 p.m. Conclude your evening with refreshments and Native American storytelling by Gary Greene. Reservations required. $5. (770) 387-3747.
Hayrides and S’mores Saturday, November 3, 10 and 24, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs Join us for a tractor-pulled hayride up to Jack's Hill. We will also gather around a campfire and make s'mores. Park Rangers and local historians will be leading these programs, sharing history and stories from the park. Reservations are required. $8 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Iron Pour Saturday, November 10 Red Top Mountain State Park – Cartersville Watch a demonstration of our iron furnace, harking back to the days of iron production in the Allatoona mining community. Buy a scratch block and create your own piece of cast iron art. Our 1850s cabin will also be open so come inside and warm up by the fire. $5 parking. (770) 975-0055.
Fall Candlelight Tours Saturday, November 10, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site – Dallas Confederate and Federal soldiers will recreate the night attack of the Battle of Pickett's Mill. During guided tours at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Visitors will witness Brig. Gen. Hiram Granbury's Brigade advance into the dark ravine and Capt. Thomas Key's artillery bombardment. Register in advance. $8. (770) 443-7850.
Candlelight Hike to the Mill Saturday, November 17, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs This mile-long guided night hike goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Meet and register at the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Moonlight Hike Friday, November 30, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge Join a park ranger on this guided hike under the full moon. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera to record the journey, as we listen for insects, frogs and other nocturnal creatures. Meet at the Hard Labor Creek Trading Post. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 557-3001
Looking Ahead to 2013
First Day Hikes Tuesday, January 1 Multiple State Parks across Georgia All across the country, State Parks are inviting families to start the New Year with a “First Day Hike” and a commitment to healthy living. In Georgia, numerous state parks have planned guided hikes where families can connect with nature and even re-connect with each other. The nationwide event is sponsored by America’s State Parks, with New Year’s Day hikes being led in all 50 states. www.GeorgiaStateParks.org
Fireside Craft/Art Show Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen Saturday, February 16, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, February 17, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate 38 years of the Fireside Craft/Art Show. More than 60 of the Southeast’s finest artists and crafts people will be here for this Unicoi tradition. This indoor, juried show has a reputation for excellence and is a nice balance between fine arts and quality crafts. Book cabins and lodge rooms now because they usually sell out in advance. $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.
Colonial Faire & Muster Saturday, February 9, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, February 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah Experience life in Colonial Georgia during the 18th century with a military encampment, sutlers' row, craft demonstrations, military demonstrations, and period music and dance. Free. (912) 353-3023.
Check GeorgiaStateParks.org/events for a full calendar.
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