Soak in an aquatic quest this summer with our Park Paddlers Club. You’ll experience rivers, mill ponds, lakes and even the celebrated Okefenokee Swamp. Proudly wear your “members-only” t-shirt while paddling 12 participating parks on your way to earning a completion certificate. The club is designed for all skill levels — from seasoned paddlers to newbies, plus nearly all locations rent kayaks, aquacycles and canoes. Sometimes the road less traveled isn't a road at all! Join the club today, and find more places to explore on GaStateParks.org.

Nothing beats jumping into cool water on a hot summer’s day. Grab your sunscreen, pack a picnic and check out swimming spots in Georgia’s State Parks. Stick your toes in the sand at Tugaloo or play in the creek at Watson Mill Bridge. Run through fountains at Magnolia Springs or make a splash in F.D. Roosevelt’s Liberty Bell Pool. Find lakeside beaches, splash pads and swimming pools near you. State park beaches and splash pads are free, and swimming pools have a per-person fee. Parking is just $5 for the day.

Located on 55,590-acre Lake Hartwell, Tugaloo State Park is a water-lovers paradise. Several boat ramps and docks offer easy access to the lake for bass fishing, tubing and skiing. Grab ice cream at the concession, then find your perfect spot at the sandy swimming beach. Challenge your friends to a spirited game of mini-golf or volleyball. Numerous campsites offer spectacular views of Lake Hartwell, and ten cottages have been beautifully renovated with open floor plans and spacious screened porches. (Insider tip: reserve a cottage, yurt or campsite now for next July 4th holiday.)

Explorers on a mission to visit all of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites have a new way of tracking their travels. A keepsake passport lets you document your journey while exploring mountains to marshes. Inside the booklet, you’ll find photos and descriptions of more than 60 state parks and historic sites, from Amicalola Falls to Wormsloe. There’s even space to note “My Favorite Thing” and add a sticker to seal your memory. Passports are available in site gift shops, some metro-Atlanta REI stores and from Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.