News from Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

ATLANTA, GA, March 11, 2013 -- Sleeping under the stars has always been a budget-friendly way to explore the Peach State and enjoy a vacation. Now Georgia’s State Parks are making the price tag even more appealing by offering a new loyalty program just for tent campers. GeoCamp club members earn every tenth night of camping for free, and there’s no cost for membership.

ATLANTA, February 6, 2013 – Just in time for Spring Break, Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites are offering ten ways for families to enjoy the outdoors and have fun without spending a fortune. From hitting the trails and waterways to golfing, campfires and sleeping under the stars, Georgia’s State Parks have programs for all ages and interests. Many activities are free and parking is just $5 for state parks. Historic site admission is usually less than $10 and parking is free. Below are ten ideas for a memorable Spring Break that's close to home:

ATLANTA, January 29, 2013 – With spring just around the corner, most people are beginning to daydream about warmer weather and weekend escapes. The newly published “2013 Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites” is a handy resource for planning a quick getaway, spring break, summer vacation or family reunion. The free, 64-page booklet is filled with tips on Georgia’s best hiking trails, top fishing spots, scenic vistas, unique accommodations and group destinations. It also includes information about Georgia’s newest state park, Don Carter, which is scheduled to open this April on Lake Lanier.

ATLANTA, January 15, 2013 -- Shhhh. Don’t tell Fluffy, but he’s a little – how do we say this – too fluffy. And no one wants to talk about it. That’s the news from a recent study which found that 30 to 50 percent of American dogs are obese, closely mimicking the human epidemic, and that a third of their owners do not realize it is a problem.

TRENTON, GA, December 4, 2012 -- One of Georgia’s most beautiful state parks has joined the new trend for “glamping” – or glamour-camping. Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain now offers 10 yurts for guests wanting to stay overnight in the park. Made of canvas and wood, yurts are like a combination of a tent and a cabin. They’re the perfect choice for those who enjoy being in nature but prefer a soft bed at night.

SAPELO ISLAND, GA, December 3, 2012 -- Visiting Georgia’s Sapelo Island is a rare treat in itself, but visiting during the holidays can be a special opportunity. This December, the island’s Reynolds Mansion is opening its doors for seasonal dining and tours. Reached only by ferry, the Reynolds Mansion is a historic home normally open only to private group retreats.

ATLANTA, November 27, 2012 -- All across the country, state parks are inviting families to start the New Year with a “First Day Hike” and a commitment to healthy living. In Georgia, several state parks have planned guided hikes where families can connect with nature and each other. Last year, more than 600 Georgians kicked off 2012 on these guided hikes -- a nationwide event sponsored by America’s State Parks.

ADEL, GA, November 26, 2012 -- Private islands are usually reserved for the rich and famous, but with the opening of a new campsite in south Georgia, anyone willing to paddle a canoe can stay overnight on their own small island.

ATLANTA, November 8, 2012 -- Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the blessings we have in our lives. For many, that includes an appreciation for nature’s bounty and the beauty around us. Georgians are fortunate to have wide variety of scenic wonder nearby, from waterfalls and lakes, to mountains and marshes. This November, take time to appreciate all that nature brings to our lives with a getaway to one of Georgia’s State Parks. Throughout November and around Thanksgiving, park rangers have planned a bounty of events that will get you into the great outdoors and encourage quiet reflection.

STOCKBRIDGE, GA, October 29, 2012 -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a quota deer hunt at Panola Mountain State Park on November 13-14. During this time, the park will be closed to visitors.

ATLANTA, GA - September 21, 2012 – Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites make holiday shopping easy by providing gift ideas that are practical while helping protect Georgia’s natural and historic resources. Whether your loved ones enjoy camping, hiking and mountain biking or just like to hit the golf course on the weekend, a gift from Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is one that easily encompasses the outdoor adventurers on your shopping list and can be enjoyed well after the holidays are past.

ATLANTA, October 5, 2012 -- No one ever plans to get lost in the woods, but it does sometimes happen. Each year, Georgia’s park rangers spend numerous hours searching for hikers who did not return on time, slipped on waterfalls, got off the trail or encountered other problems.

October, 2012, CORDELE, GA. -- Tiny fans of Thomas the Tank Engine™ can ride a real train this fall when the storybook character pulls into southwest Georgia. The 2012 Mystery On The Rails Tour offers little engineers and their families an opportunity to ride a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. Children will ride along with their favorite hero on his latest adventure as he pulls SAM Shortline Excursion Train down the track. The Mystery On The Rails Tour is presented by HIT Entertainment.

LITHIA SPRINGS, GA., September 5, 2012 -- Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County is one of 12 parks across the U.S. benefiting from BMW’s “Restore the Outdoors” program. On Friday, September 7, a BMW X1 driver will visit the park and post a photo on the campaign’s Facebook page. For every “Like” the photo receives, BMW will donate $1 to Sweetwater Creek State Park’s Friends Chapter, up to $10,000.

ATLANTA, July 27, 2012 -- When the temperatures start dropping, Leaf Watchers start heading to the mountains for colorful fall foliage. Many of Georgia’s State Parks make it easy to enjoy the best of “leaf season” – offering plenty of places to explore hiking trails, snuggle by campfires and fill photos albums. The parks even provide lodge rooms, cabins, campgrounds and yurts so that travelers can stay overnight, surrounded by spectacular scenery.

ATLANTA, July 31, 2012 - Georgia’s State Parks are celebrating the enchantment of the “Moon and Stars” with themed nighttime events the entire month of August. With the Perseid meteor shower peaking on August 11 and full moons on August 2 and August 31, it’s the perfect time for families to cool off and enjoy starry summer nights or go for a moonlit stroll. The rare moon occurrence (two full moons in one month) is referred to as a “blue moon” and happens only every two and a half years.

ATLANTA, GA, September 2012 -- Put away your wallet and pull out your fishing pole. Visitors to Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites will not pay for parking or admission on Saturday, September 29 as part of National Public Lands Day. Sponsored by the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, the celebration brings attention to ways that parks enrich communities, plus the importance of local volunteerism. Parking is normally $5 at state parks, and admission ranges from $2.50 to $10 at state historic sites. Activity fees (such as boat rental) will still apply.

DAWSONVILLE, GA, June 12, 2012 -- For more than a dozen years, Georgia’s backcountry Hike Inn has welcomed hungry hikers who trek five miles from Amicalola Falls State Park. Guests have rewarded the inn with scores of good reviews on TripAdvisor, an international travel-review website. As a result, TripAdvisor just recognized the inn with a 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award.

ATLANTA, May 31, 2012 -- A free app highlighting Georgia’s State Parks was recently ranked #34 in downloads on iTunes Apple store. Developed by ParksByNature Network™, the Georgia DNR Pocket Ranger® Mobile App offers advanced interactive GPS and GIS Map technology for tracking trails, marking waypoints, and locating landmarks in the great outdoors.

ATLANTA, May 24, 2012 – For parents still pondering what to do with the kids this summer, Georgia State Parks offers affordable fun and outdoor adventures for every age level. No need to invest in pricey day camps this year either; Junior Ranger Camps are the perfect way to keep kids entertained and learning about the great outdoors, all at the same time. Families looking for a fun day trip can simply pack a lunch, grab a towel or bicycle, and head to Georgia’s State Parks for affordable recreation from swimming beaches and pools to miles of hiking and biking trails. And, by checking out a pass from a Georgia public library, families can access state parks and historic sites for free.

ADEL, GA, May 21, 2012 -- A new fishing pier, bridge and trails are just some of the improved amenities that Reed Bingham State Park is offering its visitors this summer. During the past year, park staff and volunteers have been hard at work to make sure that south Georgians have a great place to spend their weekends and staycations.

ATLANTA, May 14, 2012 – As friends and family gather for picnics and holiday celebrations over Memorial Day weekend, take some time to honor those who fought on American soil. Georgia is home to many significant historical battlefields and forts that have been meticulously preserved. A visit to a fort is a great way to teach the kids about our country’s rich history and honor those who have fallen. Below are some suggested day trips to forts and museums across Georgia.

ATLANTA, May 3, 2012 -- Georgia’s State Parks and the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) have teamed up on a creative way to address the state’s childhood obesity epidemic. Together, they produced workout videos featuring Georgia’s own “CJ The Workout Kid.” The 10-year-old fitness instructor shows how classroom exercises can mimic outdoor recreation found in state parks.

CALHOUN, GA. April 18, 2012 -- Fifty years ago in May, the former Cherokee Nation capital became Georgia’s newest state historic site. To celebrate the anniversary, the northwest Georgia site will host a celebration and open house at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. The day will be filled with living history demonstrations, Native American arts and crafts, and guest speakers. Admission will be free.

HELEN, GA. April 12, 2012 -- The lodge and conference center at one of north Georgia’s most popular state parks will soon get a major renovation. Once complete, Unicoi State Park visitors will enjoy improved guest rooms and meeting facilities, a beautiful courtyard, additional dining options and much more.

CORDELE, GA., March 29, 2012 -- When the SAM Shortline Excursion Train pulls out of Georgia Veterans State Park, passengers forget their worries for a while, sit back and connect with their fellow travelers. Riding in vintage cars, they watch pecan groves and country fields pass by their windows as the train rolls down the tracks. Along the way, the train stops at little-known museums and quaint towns for plenty of shopping and exploration.

SAVANNAH, GA., March 20, 2012 -- It was a typical day at Fort McAllister Historic Park when a visitor’s question stopped Manager Danny Brown in his tracks. He had just been asked if he would like to have the original flag that once flew above the Confederate fort.

ATLANTA, March 20, 2012 -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently awarded $2.1 million in Recreational Trails Program grants to 19 government agencies. The grants will assist with the construction and maintenance of trails and trailheads throughout the state.

WARM SPRINGS, GA. March 19, 2012 -- You may not know his name, but you’ve likely seen him run. Triathlete and motivational speaker Scott Rigsby is easily recognized by his state-of-the art prosthetic legs which helped him become the first double-amputee to complete the Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Rigsby will be joined by retired Army Four-Star General Larry Ellis and wounded-veteran athletes for the annual FDR Commemorative Ceremony at Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site this spring.

ATLANTA, August 5, 2011 ~~ Hiking to the top of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall isn’t good just for your soul; it’s good for your health as well. That’s the basic message of the Georgia State Park system’s new “Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge” kicking off this summer. To help combat the growing obesity epidemic, officials are reminding citizens that nature holds the key to healthy lifestyles through exercise and nutrition, and that outdoor recreation can be a lot more fun than traditional exercise routines.