“First Day Hikes” on New Year’s Day

What better way to kick off 2025 than an inspirational “First Day Hike” on New Year’s Day? Rangers have planned more than 70 guided adventures where you can connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. Choose from kid-friendly strolls to heart-pumping treks and every distance in between. We even have all-terrain wheelchair adventures scheduled at Sweetwater Creek and Tallulah Gorge state parks. (Reservations required for trackchairs.) You’ll go home with great memories and a 2025 First Day Hikes sticker! Find a hike near you.

Colorblind Glasses Brighten Three Parks

See nature in a whole new spectrum. Colorblind-adapting glasses are now available at three of Georgia’s most scenic state parks: Cloudland Canyon, Sweetwater Creek and Skidaway Island. Colorblindness affects approximately 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women -- an estimated 480,250 people in Georgia. The Enchroma glasses must be reserved in advance and are free as part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Outdoors Beyond Barriers initiative.

A Gift Worth Wagging About

Tails will wag when you tuck a Tails on Trails Club membership into your pup’s stocking. Our dog-walking quest encourages you and your four-legged best friend to explore at least 12 participating Georgia State Parks. Check them off as you go, and you’ll earn bragging rights and a certificate of completion. Best of all, you get a t-shirt and your pet gets a matching bandana to wear on your adventures. Buy a membership today. (Photo by @patoandjunothepuppers.)

Celebrate Holidays Surrounded by Nature

If busy holidays leave you “bah-humbug,” Georgia’s State Parks can provide the perfect escape. Have a cozy Christmas by the campfire, or enjoy a quiet New Year’s Eve with stars instead of fireworks. Join rangers for candlelit tours, crafts and hayrides. Georgia’s State Parks and a few Historic Sites are open on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Large families can even reserve group shelters with plenty of tables and chairs, making for a no mess-no stress gathering. Book your holiday escape today.

Gifts That Last All Year

Yes, you CAN fit waterfalls, cabins and even mountains into one little stocking! Gift cards can be used for campsites, yurts, boat rental, picnic shelters, historic site admission, golf and more. Shopping for an explorer? The keepsake Passport lets them document their journey across Georgia’s beautiful state parks and historic sites. Or give annual ParkPasses and Historic Site passes for a year’s worth of free admission to more than 60 destinations. Discounts are available for bulk sales.

Look Who's In The News

America's State Parks -- Impact of Hurricane Helene on Georgia State Parks

Georgia Public Broadcasting -- Colorblind people have options to enjoy fall foliage

WRBN-FM -- Holiday Gift Guide to Get Outdoors

Morningstar -- Georgia State Parks Introduce Free Colorblind-Adapting Glasses

WLAQ-AM/FM -- Leaf Peeping Will Soon be Followed by Holiday Festivities

Atlanta Journal Constitution -- Shop local this holiday

Only in Georgia -- Year Round Camping at Red Top Mountain

North Georgia Living -- Winter Hikes in the New Year

WZQZ -- Candlelight Tours at Chief Vann House

Finding Kathy Brown -- 7 Things to do in North Georgia

All on Georgia -- Holiday Gift Guide to Get Outdoors

December Events & Ranger Programs

Find details and more programs on GaStateParks.org. Our theme for 2024 is “Tales of Scales” and you learn can about turtles, lizards, snakes and alligators found in Georgia. 

Christmas Lights at A.H. Stephens – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas, A.H. Stephens State Park, Crawfordville

Christmas Traditions Tours – multiple dates in December, Jarrell Plantation Historic Site, Juliette

Turtles of Georgia – multiple dates in December, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Trenton

Christmas Campfire and Hayride – December 6 and 13, Magnolia Springs State Park, Millen

Colonial Christmas – December 7, Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah

Archery in the Pines – December 7 and 21, Laura S. Walker State Park, Waycross

Pearl Harbor Remembrance – December 7, Roosvelt’s Little White House Historic Site, Warm Springs

Morning Bird Walk – December 11, Red Top Mountain State Park, Lake Allatoona

Candlelight Tours – December 13 and 14, Chief Vann House Historic Site, Chatsworth

All About Owls – December 14, Chattahoochee Bend State Park, Newnan

Christmas at the Inn – December 14 and 21, Traveler’s Rest Historic Site, Toccoa

Holiday Elf Scavenger Hunt – December 14, 15, 21 and 22, Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge

Putt Putt Tournament -- December 20, Tugaloo State Park, Lavonia

Winter Solstice Kayak Tour – December 21, Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer

How To Bear-Proof a Campsite -- December 28, Don Carter State Park, Gainesville

First Day Hikes -- January 1, Nearly all of Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites, Statewide

Tallulah Gorge State Park by @letsgo.adventure.rocks. Do you take beautiful and exciting photos? We would love to see your adventures on Facebook and Instagram. Tag us #GaStateParks.