All Terrain Wheelchairs, Red Top Mountain & Native American Heritage Month

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Fall color

November 2022

New All-Terrain Wheelchairs

track chair

We are proud to partner with the Aimee Copeland Foundation to provide free, high mobility wheelchairs at 10 state parks, historic sites and a wildlife center. Those with mobility impairments will be able to reconnect with nature, explore trails, go fishing and attend adaptive hunts. The all-terrain wheelchairs encourage visitors to experience a sense of freedom that can be difficult to have in an everyday wheelchair. Locations can be found on GaStateParks.org. Users must get certified and have a buddy with them at all times. (Want to volunteer to be a buddy? Contact the Aimee Copeland Foundation to sign up.) 

Red Top Mountain’s Makeover

yurt at Red Top Mountain

Red Top Mountain State Park visitors are enjoying many new upgrades at this Lake Allatoona destination. The campground now offers some full hook-ups, ADA improvements, power upgrades, waterline replacement and cable. A new yurt village welcomes “glampers,” and 20 new cottages offer screened porches with pretty views. Additional improvement include new comfort stations, a new playground, renovated beach area with accessible pathways, and picnic sites. Come play at this lakeside escape.

Native American Heritage Month

Kolomoki Mounds

November is Native American Heritage Month, so we invite you to celebrate the legacy of Georgia’s first people. The history and traditions of these vibrant cultures are told by the earthen mounds that remain at Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site in Cartersville and Kolomoki Mounds State Park in Blakely. Today’s visitors can climb to the top of the tallest mounds and explore museums to learn indigenous lifeways. In the early 1800s, the Cherokee Nation established its central government in north Georgia. New Echota Historic Site near Calhoun showcases this capital through original and reconstructed buildings, and nearby Chief Vann House Historic Site features a stunning 1804 home.

Late-Season Leaf Watching

fall color by mkterry10

Mother Nature surprised us with a slightly early “leaf season” this year, but it’s not too late to enjoy autumn color. In early November, the cypress needles at George L. Smith State Park turn deep orange, reflecting off the dark mill pond water. Near metro-Atlanta, Red Top Mountain, Sweetwater Creek and Hard Labor Creek state parks still have some turning leaves, and F.D. Roosevelt State Park is a good choice for camping and hiking in middle Georgia. Find places to enjoy late-season leaf watching on GaStateParks.org. (Photo by @mkterry10. Tag #GaStateParks for a chance to be featured on our Leaf Watch Travel Planner.)

Holiday Gift Idea: Combo Passes

James H. Floyd State Park Santa by @zen_void

This holiday season, give 37 lakes, seven waterfalls, three canyons and a swamp tucked into one little stocking. Our new combo pass includes parking and admission to Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. A $100 value, the combo sells for $85 and is valid for 12 months from purchase date. Passes are thoughtful gifts that will be appreciated for months to come. (Photo of Santa taking a pre-holiday break at James H. Floyd State Park by @zen_void.)  

Look Who's In The News

WMAZ-TV 13 -- A cornucopia of color: Cloudland Canyon State Park is the perfect Georgia fall getaway 

AllOnGeorgia -- Katherine Darsey Named Administrative Chief for Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

WSB-TV Atlanta -- DNR to unveil all-terrain wheelchairs that will be available at several parks, historic sites

365 Atlanta -- 28 Memorable Train Rides in Georgia

Fodor's Travel -- The Best Spots to Go Leaf Peeping Across the American South

Henry Herald -- Fall brings leaf-watching season to Georgia state parks

WXIA-TV -- Georgia hikes that will show off state's picturesque fall colors

Patch.com -- You're Guaranteed Spectacular Fall Color at these NW Georgia Locations

WGCL-TV -- Best places to see fall foilage in north Georgia

Rome News-Tribune -- Georgia State Parks’ 'Leaf Watch' provides travel tips for leaf peepers

 

November Programs & Events

Trees are a part of nearly every park adventure, from campfire programs, to guided hikes, to learning how to make a dugout canoe. Our program theme for 2022 is “Turn Over a New Leaf,” and our calendar is filled with arbor-themed activities. Find these and more happenings on GaStateParks.org.

33rd Annual Syrup Makin’ Day – November 5, Jarrell Plantation Historic Site, Juliette

Milling Demo at Hamburg – November 5, Hamburg State Park, Mitchell

Whitewater Releases – November 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls

Autumn Encampment/Salute to Veterans – November 11, Fort King George Historic Site, Darien

Night Hike and Marshmallow Roast – November 11, Mistletoe State Park, Appling

Native American History Day – November 12, Kolomoki Mounds State Park, Blakely

Kids Fishing Rodeo – November 12, Reed Bingham State Park, Adel

Night Sky Observations – November 18, Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs

Junior Ranger Day Camp – November 22, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge

Post-Turkey Day Hike – November 26, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain

Find more on GaStateParks.org.

 

Tag us on Instagram for a chance to be featured.  #gastateparks @gastateparks