Grab your sunscreen, pack a towel and get ready to make a splash this summer. Nothing beats jumping into cool water on a hot day! More than 20 Georgia State Parks have lakeside swimming beaches, splash pads or swimming pools. Build sandcastles at Hard Labor Creek, Tugaloo, Seminole or Reed Bingham. Slide down rocky shoals at Watson Mill Bridge. Jump through fountains at Jack Hill or Magnolia Springs. You can even take swimming lessons at Victoria Bryant’s pool. Find places to cool off on GaStateParks.org.

In the early 1800s, north Georgia was home to the Cherokee Indian nation, and one of the wealthiest chiefs owned a plantation in what is now Chatsworth. On July 22, Chief Vann House Historic Site hosts its annual Vann House Days which highlights 19th century Cherokees and Moravian missionaries. You'll see butter churning, weaving, spinning, gardening, woodworking, doll making, black powder rifles and more. The Vann mansion, farmstead and museum will be open for self-guided tours. Want to stay nearby? Check out cottages and campsites at Fort Mountain State Park.

Cloudland Canyon State Park has begun offering guided tours of Sitton’s Cave. The two-and-a-half hour tours will have you crawling through mud, scrambling over rocks, encountering strange creatures and possibly wading through an underground stream. Prepared to get muddy while having fun! Participants must be at least 10 years old and comfortable crawling through spaces that are three feet high. Equipment is provided. Tours are $45 and reservations are required. 

Just west of Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek is one of the most popular state parks in Georgia. Hikers have likely noticed that trails have become eroded and difficult to navigate in some places. Improvements are coming, so guests at this popular destination will have much better hikes in the future – including new stairs, observation decks and trail sections along the creek. This means part of the White Trail is now rerouted, both the Green and Red trails are temporarily closed, and the mill ruins will not be accessible for several months. The Department of Natural Resources plans to finish the project as quickly as possible, and the results should be well worth the wait. For updates, visit Sweetwater Creek State Park.