From pontoons to pedal boats, and everything in between, our state parks provide easy access to water. Tugaloo, Seminole, Don Carter and Mistletoe offer boat ramps and camping along some of Georgia’s largest lakes. Rent kayaks at George L. Smith, Magnolia Springs or Kolomoki Mounds for a beginner-friendly paddle. Or take a ranger-led lake tour at Hard Labor Creek, Sweetwater Creek or Red Top Mountain. Plan your summertime escape to the lake on GaStateParks.org. (Photo of Elijah Clark State Park by @ljforsyth.)

If you love an aquatic challenge, pick up your paddle to discover Georgia’s rivers, ponds, lakes and the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp. Join our Park Paddlers Club and get a “members only” t-shirt to wear during your travels. Explore 12 of the participating state parks and we’ll send you a certificate of completion. There’s no time limit, so you can go at your own pace. Most state parks rent kayaks or canoes, and some offer guided excursions. Instagrammers, we'd love to see you showing off your Park Paddlers Club t-shirt by tagging #GaStateParks and #ParkPaddlersClub.

Lightning bugs and starry skies make evenings magical in the great outdoors. One of the best ways to enjoy the experience is through ranger-led programs held at night. During August, you’ll find sunset hikes, astronomy programs and campfires at several parks. Hard Labor Creek’s rangers invite you to look for ultraviolet millipedes and scorpions on August 16. Fort McAllister hosts a Perseid Meteor Watch on August 11 and a Moth Safari on August 23. Find more evening programs on GaStateParks.org.

Today’s road trippers have seemingly unlimited choices on where to rest for the night, but travelers in the 1800s had far fewer selections. Thankfully, those crossing through northeast Georgia found a welcoming stopover in Toccoa. Traveler’s Rest Historic Site is the only stagecoach inn remaining on the Unicoi Turnpike, a road serving Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Built around 1815, it hosted guests of varied backgrounds and was considered one of the top inns in the region. For only a dollar a night, guests could enjoy a private room with washstand, followed by a filling 25-cent meal. Today’s visitors can imagine stories told at the breakfast table by those passing through. Self-guided tours of the property are available Saturdays and Sundays. Campers can stay nearby at Tugaloo or Tallulah Gorge state parks.