7 Can't-miss Georgia State Parks For Your Bucket List

By Author: AKM
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If #optoutside is on your vision board, we have plenty of suggestions to add to it. Georgia has nearly 50 state parks, providing visitors with a variety of landscapes. At Georgia state historic sites and parks, visitors can enjoy breathtaking waterfalls, ancient structures, miles of trails, and even boat tours. Check these seven amazing places off your list of adventures this year, whether you're taking a day trip with friends or a long weekend with the family!

1. Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia overlooks the deep gorge on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. Hiking trails through the dense woods range from easy to strenuous, with the most difficult leading down a long staircase to two waterfalls cascading into pools below over layers of sandstone and shale.

Stay a few days to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking, fishing, and playing disc golf. You can rough it as much as you want in Cloudland. Stay in one of the park's fully equipped cottages or quirky yurts, or choose from a variety of campsites.

Tip to note: Mountain bikers can explore 30 miles of trails ...
... that have recently opened. You can rent a bike from the park if you don't have one.

2. Fort Mountain State Park
Visitors to Fort Mountain State Park will find some of the best hiking trails and scenic overlooks in the region. There is a good chance you will see black bears, but don't be alarmed. Explore over 60 miles of trails that wind through hardwood forest, blueberry thickets, and across streams. Stop for a photo opportunity along the 855-foot-long wall, which is thought to have been built by early Indians.

Swim at the lakeside beach in the summer or go on guided horseback rides all year. Stay overnight in the park's fully equipped cottages or campsites to give yourself plenty of time to take in all the scenery and activities.

Tip to note: Look for the heart-shaped stone with the romantic story at the historic fire tower.

3. George L. Smith State Park
Take your canoe to the tranquil George L. Smith State Park in southeast Georgia. Explore the blackwater lake, which is dotted with cypress trees covered in Spanish moss. Keep an eye out for blue herons, white ibis, and other wading birds, or navigate your boat to the refurbished Parrish Mill, an 1880 gristmill, saw mill, historic covered bridge, and dam.
Back on dry land, hike seven miles of trails in search of Georgia's state reptile, the gopher tortoise. Spend the night in one of the park's recently renovated cabins or camp right on the water's edge.

Tip to note: Mill Pond Kayak offers guided paddle trips on this beautiful pond, or you can explore on your own by renting a canoe from the park.

4. Indian Springs State Park
Indian Springs State Park, one of the country's oldest state parks, is famous for its mineral-rich spring water. The park is centrally located in Georgia, just off I-75, and is an ideal destination for a day of exploration. Wade in the creek, hike the nature trails, or ride your bike to the nearby Dauset Trails.

The park's small museum, which is open seasonally, highlights the history of the area's Creek Indians, the community's history as a resort town, and the Civilian Conservation Corps' work at the park during the Great Depression. Overnight stays are permitted in cottages and campsites.
Tip to note: Bring a few bottles with you to collect some of the park's spring water, which some believe has healing properties.

5. Providence Canyon State Park
Providence Canyon State Park is only a short drive from Columbus, but it feels a world away. Layers of bright orange, pink, purple, and red combine to form Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon," creating a colorful tableau. Stroll along the scenic rim for a bird's-eye view of the canyon, or hike down into a few of its gullies, staying behind fences and away from the canyon's fragile edges, which can collapse due to erosion.
Backpackers can spend the night on the backcountry trail, which highlights parts of the canyon and winds through the forest. If backcountry camping isn't your thing, Florence Marina State Park, just a few miles away, has fully equipped cottages, small efficiency units, and a modern campground.

Tip to note: The trail's first few canyons are wooded, but by canyons four and five, the trees have thinned, revealing the striking beauty of the colorful canyon walls.

6. Stephen C. Foster State Park
Stephen C. Foster State Park serves as a gateway to Georgia's seven natural wonders, including the Okefenokee Swamp. This 402,000-acre refuge is teeming with wildlife, including 12,000 alligators and their neighbors — bears, foxes, owls, frogs, woodstorks, ibis, and many more. Take a guided boat tour to learn everything there is to know about the unique environment and its inhabitants. Just keep your hands and feet inside the boat and keep your distance from the large reptiles.

Tip to note: As an International Dark Sky Park, the park is a haven for stargazers. Claim your campsite and fall asleep beneath the Milky Way's blanket.

7. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park in northeast Georgia features one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern United States. Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, with waterfalls, rapids, trails, and a lake with a beach. It has something for all outdoor enthusiasts. Is it a must-see? Hike down to the suspension bridge, which sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom and offers stunning views of the river and waterfalls.

Camping is available in the park, or you can extend your trip to Clayton and visit Black Rock Mountain State Park, which has mountaintop cabins and campsites.

Tip to note: You must obtain one of a limited number of permits to hike to the gorge floor. Check the park's Facebook page to make sure permits are available on the day of your visit. Weekend permits sell out quickly, so plan accordingly.