Enjoy Georgia State Parks for Free!

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(image courtesy of Georgia state parks.)

A hand shot with the gorge in the background.

Vogel State Park (photo courtesy of Georgia state parks)

Fall is the perfect time for a family hike.  Getting outdoors and releasing some energy is a daily necessity in a house with two small boys, and we love to take time to visit local nature trails around the greater Chattanooga area.  There are five Georgia state parks within easy driving distance of Chattanooga.  And Georgia residence can enjoy all of these parks for FREE!  Who doesn't love free, come on! I know I do.  Georgia public libraries have ParkPasses that you can check out, just like a book.  These ParkPasses exempt you from paying the $5 park entrance fee.  So pack a lunch, grab a trail map, and enjoy some family time exploring nature in the North Georgia mountains!

Cloudland Canyon State Park
This park protects land around Sitton Gulch Creek and includes breath-taking canyon views.  There are two waterfalls to view on the Waterfall trails which are accessible by a series of staircases.  We were able to enjoy the park playgrounds, eat lunch, and hike to see the two waterfalls with a five and two year old, so these are trails are for everyone, just remember there are a lot of stairs.  Our dog did not like the metal steps very much and her paws were hurting by the end, so consider that when bringing Fido along. 

Vogel State Park
Vogel State Park is one of my favorite parks.  It's nestled at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  There is a beautiful lake near the visitor's center and a one mile trail surrounding it.  This is a trail for strolling.  My boys loved running along, tossing rocks and sticks into the lake and watching the ker-plunking ripples break through the water.  At the far end of the lake there is a small trail to Trahlyta Falls.  We enjoyed the park in summer time and the beach area was a highlight for the boys and me.  It's really the best of both worlds: sand in your toes and sun on your face surrounded by beautiful mountains all around.

Of course, there are many more trails, awesome programs, and seasonal adventures to be had at the 50+ state parks in Georgia.  These are just two of my favorites, and I'm just sharing my day trips with you!  We have been camping in one of the Georgia state parks, but that's a whole other story to be told later.  Don't miss out on these beautiful autumn days.  Get out there and wander around in a state park for free.

Happy roving,

Kyleen