It won’t be long before our forests are blanketed with gorgeous fall color. For many of us, the perfect autumn escape includes cozy campfires and gooey s’mores as well. Now’s the time to book those autumn excursions, so we have published “Leaf Watch 2024” to make planning easy. The travel planner is filled with top trails and overlooks, mountain cabins and campsites, fall events and hiking safety tips.  Shutterbugs, tag #GaLeafWatch and #GaStateParks on Instagram for a chance to have your photos featured. Photo by @mkterry10.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta is a rare granite outcrop that is similar to Stone Mountain, but smaller and more pristine. During September, the 100-acre Panola Mountain sports colorful yellow flowers that can be seen during ranger-led Daisy Days Hikes. Park visitors can also bike a paved trail, fish in two small lakes, take archery classes, and see reptiles in the small visitor center. Register in advance for the wildflower hikes on September 15, 21, 25 and 28.

Tucked into the foothills of northwest Georgia, James H. Floyd may be one of Georgia’s smaller state parks, but it’s packed with activities and gorgeous scenery. You’ll find five miles of hiking trails, two fishing lakes, kayak rental, geocaching, playgrounds, camping and cabins. Their annual Outdoor Adventure Day is set for September 28, where kids can enjoy a fishing rodeo, climbing wall, turtle and snake shows, and face painting. Register in advance for archery classes that day as well.

Our biggest volunteer event of the year is Saturday, September 28, sponsored by the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Rangers invite you to join a variety of projects that help take care of Georgia’s natural and cultural resources., like trail maintenance, gardening and stream cleanups. Afterward, enjoy programs like guided hikes and fishing derbies. Find a volunteer project near you.