Panola Mountain State Park will host a public ribbon cutting celebration for its new outdoor classroom at 10 a.m. on May 22nd. The outdoor classroom will be a new space for children to play and learn about the natural world.

Skidaway Island State Park will host a public ribbon cutting celebration for its new visitor center at 10 a.m. on May 13. The 6,300-square-foot building is now the first stop for those enjoying one of Georgia’s most popular state parks.

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites honors its staff with annual Rangers Conference held mostly virtual this year.

State and federal agencies are planning a controlled burn at Tallulah Gorge State Park this spring to benefit unique wildlife at one of Georgia’s most unique places.

One of Savannah’s most photographed historic sites will soon break ground on a new entrance and visitor center. Improvements at colonial Wormsloe, with its iconic arch and 300-year-old tabby ruins, will enhance guest experiences while also protecting its famed Avenue of Live Oaks.

This year marks the tricentennial of a turning point in North American colonial history. Three centuries ago, British soldiers established their first fort on land that was to become the colony of Georgia. Called Fort King George, it protected a low bluff on the mighty Altamaha River from French and Spanish explorers, as well as Guale Indians.

Top Seven Ideas for a Spring Outdoor Escape in Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites.

Five Tail-Wagging Adventures in Georgia's State Parks.

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored recently during a mostly virtual Rangers Conference. Because last year’s conference was canceled due to the pandemic, awards were presented for both 2020 and 2021. Around 125 assistant managers, park rangers and maintenance technicians participated in a day of training activities and sharing ideas. The conference ended with an awards ceremony celebrating the efforts of those who make more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites outstanding destinations for Georgia’s citizens and visitors. Learn more at GaStateParks.org/awards.

One silver lining from 2020 has been discovering the joy of outdoor adventures. Parks all across the country welcomed record numbers of visitors looking for fresh air, peaceful scenery and heart-pumping exercise. The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start daydreaming about future getaways. The newly published “2021 Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites” is a helpful resource for planning spring break, romantic retreats and summer vacations. The booklet is filled with tips on the best hiking trails, fishing spots, pet travel, golf courses, cabins and campsites, as well as many new photos shared by park users.

This Black Friday, chose waterfalls over online malls by joining the #OptOutside movement. Created by retailer REI, the national initiative encourages Americans to improve their well-being through outdoor experiences. Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites have plenty of trails and lakes to provide inspiration. An added bonus is working off that pumpkin pie, plus state parks are open Thanksgiving Day as well. Below are five ways to #OptOutside and breath in fresh air.

This holiday season, share fresh air and the great outdoors with your friends and family. Choose from outdoorsy ideas below and watch a thoughtful present turn into an infatuation with Mother Nature. To make shopping even easier, Georgia’s park system just unveiled a new online retail store with ParkPasses, hiking stick medallions, camping-themed gifts, and more. 

Lace-up, grab friends or family, and head to Jack Hill (Gordonia-Alatamaha) State Park for the American FootGolf League National Championship. 

A dedication ceremony was held recently to announce the renaming of Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville, Ga. to Jack Hill State Park. In attendance were Hill family members, Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, and Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Mark Williams.
 

“When will leaves peak?” is a common question for park rangers in autumn. Only Mother Nature knows for sure, but Georgia’s peak color is usually toward the end of October or early November. To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia State Parks has launched “Leaf Watch 2020” to track autumn color as it moves across the state.  .

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site managers were honored recently for their dedication to outdoor recreation and cultural resources. While the park system has faced unique challenges due to the pandemic, sites have remained open and continue to welcome guests to explore Georgia.

With so many activities that Georgians can enjoy right in their own state while still social distancing, why not take a local road trip and make Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites your basecamp for exploration? Below are six social distancing activities available at lesser-known destinations. Stay overnight in cabins or a campsite and make a weekend escape in the mountains, by the swamp, or by a lake.

The Visitor Information Centers (VIC) in Sylvania and Plains are reopening on July 21. Each year, more than 13 million Georgia travelers stop at state-run visitor centers to be greeted with helpful advice, brochures and, of course, free samples of Georgia-grown peanuts. These two of the smallest centers not only help travelers, but are also destinations in their own right. They recently were transferred from the state’s Department of Economic Development to the State Parks and Historic Sites system, which is part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

If honoring wellness and staying active are on your “to do” list for 2020, getting outdoors can make it fun to meet fitness goals. Crossing mountaintops and marshes, boulders and battlefields, Georgia’s State Parks offer miles upon miles of exercise trails. Historic sites help you explore the Peach State while quickly increasing your step count. Below are 20 hikes for 2020 to kickstart your active adventures. Stay overnight in a yurt, cabin or campsite to reward yourself with a toasty-warm fire at the end of the day. Start planning on GaStateParks.org/Hiking.

DNR properties, locations, and offices operating under normal hours of operation