During the American Revolution, Fort Morris was garrisoned to protect Sunbury’s seaport from British forces. In November 1778, British forces under the command of Lt. Col. L.V. Fuser demanded surrender, but Col. John McIntosh famously replied, "Come and take it!" Although Fuser's men outnumbered the fort's garrison, he elected to retreat, returning in a few weeks to take the fort after heavy bombardment. Today, you can tour the earthworks and museum at Fort Morris Historic Site, making it the perfect spot to reflect on Independence Day. On July 5, you can watch blackpowder demonstrations and join games like sack races.
 New GRIT Freedom Chairs
Hitting the trail has never been easier! We are proud to offer GRIT Freedom Chairs for visitors with limited mobility. These tough chairs are like a cross between a regular wheelchair and a mountain bike, letting you navigate dirt, rocks and roots. The free chairs are now available at James H. Floyd, Fort McAllister, Mistletoe and F.D. Roosevelt state parks. Reservations are required. Learn more about the DNR’s Outdoors Beyond Barriers program.
Grab your sunscreen and make a splash this summer. Nothing beats jumping into cool water on a hot day! Several 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 “spraygrounds” at Jack Hill or Magnolia Springs. You can even take a dip in Victoria Bryant’s swimming pool. Find places to cool off on GaStateParks.org.
July 4th weekend kicks off this Friday. Swimming beaches, picnic shelters and boat ramps will be exceptionally busy, so plan to arrive early or late in the day. When parks reach capacity, access may be restricted. Remember that fireworks and sparklers are not allowed in Georgia’s State Parks, helping us protect wildlife. You’ll find ranger programs like sack races and campsite decorating contests on GaStateParks.org. Insider Tip: If your favorite campsite or cottage is already reserved, you can make reservations now for next year.
 We're Hiring!
Have you always dreamed of being a park ranger? Some of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites are hiring managers, clerks, housekeepers and maintenance experts. Find full-time and part-time openings on GaStateParks.org/ParkCareers and get paid to work in Georgia’s most precious places.
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Our program theme for 2025 is “Wild Georgia," highlighting Georgia’s conservation efforts and the State Wildlife Action Plan. Find a complete list of programs on GaStateParks.org.
Geology of the Canyon – July 3, 23 and 29, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn
Staff vs. Campers Water Wars – July 4, Don Carter State Park, Lake Lanier
Ol’ Time Fourth – July 4, Jarrell Plantation Historic Site, Juliette
Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-Golf – July 4, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
Sunset Safari Hike – July 4, Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, Cartersville
Morning River Paddle – July 4, 6, 11, 13, 20 and 27, Watson Mill Bridge State Park, Comer
Campers Field Day – July 5, Chattahoochee Bend State Park, Newnan
Heritage Farm Tour – July 6, 20 and 26, General Coffee State Park, Nicholls
Pioneer Skills: Tincture Plants – July 6, 12, 16 and 30, Red Top Mountain State Park, Lake Allatoona
Yoga on the Beach – July 7, 14, 21 and 28, Mistletoe State Park, Lincolnton
Gopher Tortoise Hike – July 19, Laura S. Walker State Park, Waycross
Plumleaf Azalea Fest – July 19, Providence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin
Twilight Trek & Moth Safari – July 26, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain
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FOX5 Atlanta -- Explore Panola Mountain State Park
Atlanta Journal Constitution -- These Georgia Trails offer scenic views, healthy workouts for seniors
All On Georgia -- Georgia State Parks Expand Outdoor Accessibility with New GRIT Freedom Chairs
Only in Your State -- This Is the Most Peaceful Part of Black Rock Mountain State Park
WLAQ AM/FM -- Georgia's State Parks Anticipate a Flurry of Visitors over July 4th
WLAQ Rome AM/FM -- Beat the Heat This Summer with Georgia's State Parks
Lakeside News -- Don Carter State Park's event center set to open this summer
FOX5 Atlanta -- Georgia's best waterfalls explored
Jackson Progress-Argus -- Camping Options in Georgia's State Parks
 Dragonfly by Diane Flemming. (Thank you for sharing your photo!) Do you take beautiful images? We would love to see your adventures on Facebook and Instagram. Tag us #GaStateParks.
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