Warmer weather is upon us, just in time for geocache enthusiasts to participate in the newly updated Georgia History Trail GeoTour. Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is excited to announce a fresh update to the popular tour complete with new challenges, locations and a new reward. Embark on the mystery cache GeoTour which offers geocachers of all levels a chance to travel back in time to all 19 of the historic sites locations and earn an exclusive trackable coin upon completion.

Elliot Murrer was recently promoted to Manager of Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth. He replaces Brad Ballard who was promoted to Region Manager for the park system. Murrer started his career with Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites in 2016 as an Interpretive Ranger at Fort Mountain and was promoted to Assistant Manager the same year.

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored recently during a statewide Rangers Conference. More than 150 assistant managers, park rangers and maintenance technicians gathered at Unicoi State Park in Helen for the event. After two days of hands-on training activities, 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.
 

Thanks to the many easily accessible Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites locations and the variety of outdoor activities suitable for all ages and skill levels, it doesn’t get much better than Spring Break in Georgia’s great outdoors. From locations listed as one of the “Top Places to Visit in the U.S.” by Buzzfeed, to parks considered to be one of the “20 Wild and Beautiful State Parks in the U.S.” by National Geographic, options are endless, affordable and allow families to check off their Georgia bucket lists. Experience the opportunities available to park goers as the weather warms up and gear up for the adventure of a lifetime.

History buffs are in for a treat with the latest Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites perk. New for 2019, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites have added online sales of Historic Sites Annual Passes. This new addition allows guests unlimited access to more than a dozen state historic sites and makes it easier for those interested in Georgia’s rich history to venture to the state’s historic landmarks year-round. They are especially useful to geocachers following the park system’s History GeoTour.

To celebrate the re-opening of Dames Ferry Campground, the public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, February 8 at 10 a.m. Located on Lake Juliette in Monroe County, the popular campground is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in partnership with Georgia Power.

Fort Morris State Historic Site recently expanded its operating hours so that visitors can now tour any day of the week. The grounds are now open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Georgia’s State Parks Offer Outdoor Quests
If your New Year’s resolutions include getting fit, connecting with nature or simply getting outside more often, Georgia’s State Parks can make these goals easy to achieve. Four “Club Challenges” encourage visitors to go hiking, biking, paddling and even dog walking all across the Peach State. With no time limit on completion, members can set their own pace for the challenge. Membership to each club is $15 and includes a t-shirt to wear while exploring. Only those who finish will earn bragging rights and a certificate of completion. To learn more about the four clubs, visit GaStateParks.org/ParkClubs.

To spotlight Georgia’s fascinating past, State Historic Sites are offering free admission on Sunday, February 10. The event is part of Georgia History Festival’s statewide celebration of “Super Museum Sunday.” Visitors can see the Cherokee Nation’s first newspaper, walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary War soldiers, admire FDR’s hand-controlled roadster, climb to the top of an Indian mound or explore many other locations. Find places to step into the past at GaStateParks.org/SuperMuseumSunday.

Blairsville native Brad Ballard was recently promoted to Region 4 Manager within the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites system. He will oversee operations of 17 sites in the middle/north Georgia area, including Panola Mountain, Fort Yargo, Red Top Mountain and Sweetwater Creek state parks. Region offices are located inside Hard Labor Creek State Park in Social Circle.

The new manager of Black Rock Mountain State Park considers herself to be one happy camper. In less than three years, she landed her dream job of taking care of Georgia’s highest state park. Cali Snider has been the park’s manager since this fall and is looking forward to spending her career right above Clayton.

Month-long Effort to Salvage Historic DeKalb Icon a Success! Following a month of work, stabilization of historic Vaughters’ Barn – the iconic white-painted structure located off of Klondike Road – is complete. The building required significant renovations to fix years of wear and tear, the result of aging materials and the elements. Now that construction has finished, the Barn and meadow loop trail are once again available for hikers and photographers.

All across the country, park rangers are inviting Americans to start the New Year with an energizing First Day Hike on January 1. In Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, dozens of guided treks will encourage friends and families to connect with nature and each other. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative from America’s State Parks to get people outdoors, with hundreds of hikes scheduled in all 50 states.

White County resident Eric Bentley has been named Assistant Director of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks and Historic Sites Division. Bentley will oversee operations of more than 60 properties across the state, including Kolomoki Mounds in Early County and Dahlonega Gold Museum in Lumpkin County. He was appointed by new Georgia State Parks Director Jeff Cown.

Every fall in Georgia, Mother Nature displays her most beautiful work, beckoning travelers from near and far to take in the scenery of the Peach State. From the crisp mountain air, the comforting autumn breezes and the red, orange, yellow and faded green hues, Georgia State Parks is the premier destination to take all of fall in. Thanks to the overlooks that can be found at the below state parks, guests can indulge in the beauty offered by standing miles high and basking in its glory.

September 29 Event Sponsored by Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.

Thomas The Tank Engine™ To visit Cordele, GA on October 19, 20, 21 and 27 & 28.

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Director Becky Kelley was recently honored during the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. She received the Paul Nelson Award for Outdoor Recreation and Preservation. Kelley retires this September after 16 years as parks director. She, her husband Steve and daughter Amanda reside in Henry County.

Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Mark Williams has announced the appointment of Jeff Cown to serve as the director of the State Parks & Historic Sites Division of DNR succeeding Becky Kelley who is retiring in October. The Board of Natural Resources will act to approve Mr. Cown’s appointment at its September meeting.

For many people, the perfect autumn weekend includes cozy campfires and gooey s’mores surrounded by fiery-hued forests. To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia’s state parks will soon launch “Leaf Watch 2018” to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State.