Ready for cozy campfires and vibrant leaves crunching under boots? Only Mother Nature knows when fall color will peak, but the brightest hues usually come toward late October through early November. The key is warm sunny days coupled with cold – but not freezing – nights. To help plan your fall adventures, check our Leaf Watch Travel Planner with top parks and hikes, events, photo galleries and accommodations. You can even share your favorite shots on Instagram for a chance to be featured on Leaf Watch. With kid-friendly nature trails, challenging mountain hikes, cozy campsites and warm cabins, Georgia’s State Parks make for the perfect pumpkin-spiced escape. Photo of Vogel State Park.
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We have the most AWESOME managers! Congratulations to these men and women who make Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites such wonderful places to visit. Several people were honored recently during the annual Managers Conference, with many recognized for their dedication following Hurricane Helene. Accomplishments include storm debris removal, protecting historic structures, leading outstanding ranger programs and customer service. The awards ceremony celebrated those who make more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites outstanding destinations across Georgia. Read about all of the winners on GaStateParks.org.
Group Photo, left to right: Director Angie Johnson, Todd Gibson, MJ Wardingley, Curtis Glass, Jeri Nokes, Royce Johnson, MiKayla Spencer, Chris Lockwood, Lauren Bryant, Morgan Attaway, Suzanne Passmore, Angela McAtee, DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon
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Our state parks are committed to making sure guests of all abilities can enjoy the great outdoors, and Sweetwater Creek State Park has planned an Adaptive Junior Ranger Family Camp for October 25. Your family can register to use all-terrain wheelchairs to navigate hiking trails, adaptive kayaks to paddle the park’s lake, and adaptive fishing equipment to make it easier to reel in that big catch. The day camp is open to all ages, and advance registration is requested. Check the park's event calendar for details.
Our rangers have planned a spooktacular calendar filled with hayrides, haunted trails, fall festivals, pioneer skills, wildlife programs and more. Many parks invite campers to deck out their sites with Halloween decorations, and some offer trunk-or-treat evenings for the little ones. Make plans now to celebrate this fall season in your own cabin, yurt or campsite. If your favorite spot is already taken for this season, remember you can make reservations now for next year too.
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Calling all budding artists! Show off your creativity for a chance to have your artwork featured on table-top displays at the Georgia State Capitol in 2026. Georgia high school students are invited to create a drawing or painting showcasing a landscape, historic site or natural feature that captures the beauty and value of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2025. Last year's winner was Stella White with her painting of Amicalola Falls State Park. Learn more on GaStateParks.org.
October 2025 Programs & Events
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.
Night Hike at Lanier – October 4, Don Carter State Park, Gainesville
Kolomoki Festival – October 11, Kolomoki Mounds State Park, Blakely
Incredible Edible Insects – October 11 and 31, Crooked River State Park, St. Marys
Potions, Pills & Pustules: 18th-Century Medicine – October 18 – 19, Fort King George Historic Site, Darien
Secret Lives of Bats -- October 18, Roosevelt's Little White House, Warm Springs
S’mores Under the Stars – October 24, James H. Floyd State Park, Summerville
Fall Festival – October 25, Mistletoe State Park, Appling
Haunted Village – October 25, Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
Costumes, Cookies and Trick-or-Treats – October 25, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain
Halloween Storytime – October 31, Red Top Mountain State Park, Lake Allatoona
Our complete calendar is on GaStateParks.org.
Fox5 Good Day Atlanta -- Vogel State Park in Blairsville new visitor center
WSB-TV -- Georgia Leaf Watch returns! See which state parks are best for fall colors
Travel & Leisure -- Georgia's 'Little Grand Canyon' Was Formed by Accident
Atlanta Magazine -- Outdoor Wonderlands for Georgia Adventure Seekers
Valdosta Today -- Georgia State Parks reveal best spots for leaf peeping
Jackson Progress-Argus -- Georgia State Parks Leaf Watch now online
Clayton News Daily -- Help Care for State Parks at Special Event
Georgia Public Broadcasting -- History Springs Anew at Historic Georgia Site
WLAQ Radio -- Plan Now for Fall Leaf Peeping
Fox5-TV -- Community Hikes Honor Apalachee Shooting Victims
The Augusta Chronicle -- Looking for the perfect spot in Georgia to see the leaves change? Southern Living says go here
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