This Spring Break, escape the floaties, crowds and traffic and opt for peaceful natural beauty and family-friendly adventures. Get down and dirty while fishing, hiking, kayaking, camping, tree climbing or geocaching with family and friends. Scout for fiddler crabs at low tide, or listen for owls welcoming the nighttime. Check out these Top Ten Ideas for a memorable Spring Break that's affordable and close to home. Cabins, yurts and campsites are still available.

Home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site protects six earthen mounds, a village site, borrow pits and defensive ditch. Visitors can climb to the top of the tallest mound, looking out over the river and fields to imagine life more than 1,000 years ago. The museum's artifacts show how these people decorated themselves with shell beads, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments. Join historians for blow dart making, nature sketching, heritage days and more programs throughout March.

Established in 1721, Fort King George in Darien is the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia's coast, highlighting a rich history where Native American and European cultures met, colonial empires collided, soldiers perished and industry boomed on the Altamaha River. Come for Scottish Heritage Days, March 13 – 15, with living history, musket and cannon firings, blacksmithing, 18th century cooking and music under Live Oaks and Spanish Moss. Don’t miss the 3 p.m. battle reenactment on Saturday.

If you love hiking and a quest, we have the perfect challenge for you. Our Canyon Climbers Club will take you to the top of Amicalola Falls, the depths of Providence Canyon, across the bridge in Tallulah Gorge and up the staircase in Cloudland Canyon. You’ll get a t-shirt to wear proudly during your adventure, plus a certificate of completion once you’re done. There’s no time limit, so hikers can travel at their own pace.

The “2020 Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites” is a helpful resource for planning spring break, romantic getaways and summer vacations. It’s filled with tips on the best hiking trails, fishing spots, pet travel, golf courses, cabins, campsites and glamping yurts, as well as many new photos taken by park visitors. For a free copy, call 770-389-7286 or stop by any Georgia State Park or State Historic Site office. On online version can be found on GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Looking forward to Augusta's golf excitement in April? Stay and play at nearby Georgia State Parks. You’ll find exceptional golf at Richard B. Russell and Hard Labor Creek. A few cabins and campsites are still available April 9 - 12 at Mistletoe, Elijah Clark, Magnolia Springs and A.H. Stephens state parks – putting you close to all the excitement. Learn more about Georgia's State Park Golf Courses.