Ready, Set, Get Outdoors at These 6 Georgia State Parks

Park an RV at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah

Bordering Skidaway Narrows – part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway – on a barrier island, Skidaway Island State Park is a uniquely picturesque place to make a stop in your RV. Roll in and hook up the camper van at Skidaway Island’s well-appointed campground, nestled under live oaks and Spanish moss. 

With 6 miles of hiking trails winding through lush maritime forest and pristine salt marshes, the park’s paths are mostly flat, making them great for families or those avoiding anything too strenuous. Wildlife abounds here, too, so keep an eye out for fiddler crabs, deer, raccoons, egrets, and other animals. Skidaway is part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, making it popular for birders looking to spy osprey, painted bunting, warblers, and even bald eagles. 

At the park’s Visitor & Interpretive Center, you’ll find binoculars, reference books, a window for bird viewing, and a variety of displays to learn about the surrounding coastal ecosystem. Kids are sure to love the turtle habitat, butterfly garden, and 20-foot replica of a giant ground-sloth skeleton. There are also two playgrounds on-site, bicycles available to rent, covered picnic shelters, and a nearby boat ramp for additional recreational fun. 

Among Skidaway Island State Park’s 87 RV, trailer, and tent sites with electrical hookups – some with sewer hookups – nearly 30 sites are considered “premium” for their expansive size and pull-through options. For comfort and convenience, there are also multiple picnic tables, grills, fire rings, laundry facilities, showers, and restrooms, making it an ideal spot to spend a few days. 

Looking for a primo camp spot? Do a little research online. Not all sites at this RV-friendly campground are created equally, and you can review each location’s details like max vehicle length, available amenities, and even photos. Insider tip: some say Site 30 is the best of the best for being spacious, shaded, and level. 

Take a Day Trip: Darien

Want to explore more of the area? Head 63 miles south to Darien, where you can visit the oldest remaining English fort on Georgia’s coast. Tour the reconstructed barracks, officers’ quarters, and more at Fort King George State Historic Site, then make your way to the Old Jail Art Center and Museum to admire historical Darien architecture along with artifacts and art spanning the centuries. It’s one of the earliest structures still standing in the heart of town. Enjoy a waterfront meal at Skippers’ Fish Camp before or after a wine-tasting boat tour on the Darien River with Georgia Tidewater Outfitters.

Revel in Cloudland Canyon State Park’s Scenic Views in Rising Fawn

Tucked on the western edge of Lookout Mountain among dense forests and tumbling creeks, Cloudland Canyon State Park is a hiker’s paradise. You’ll trek through some of Georgia’s most spectacular surroundings, including deep chasms, rugged sandstone cliffs, secret caves, and plunging waterfalls.

To get the most Instagram-worthy canyon views, check out the 5-mile West Rim Loop. This moderate route was named one of the best day hikes in the country by Backpacker magazine for its unparalleled mountain, canyon, and forest spectacles. Up for more of a challenge? The short but strenuous Waterfalls Trail may be just under 2 miles in length, but it includes 600 heart-pumping steps. Your well-earned reward is the lovely sight of two cascades – Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls – tumbling into small pools.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Cloudland Canyon, but taking in the beauty of this marvel is a highlight no matter what. Spreading across 3,538 acres, there’s a lot to discover throughout 60-plus miles of trails amid enchanting passages, intriguing sandstone cliffs, and phenomenal overlooks showcasing miles of verdant hillsides.

Find a moment of solitude to appreciate gorgeous views and spot boundless wildlife from the park’s observation deck, which overlooks a small fishing pond in a quiet area. It’s not far from the disc golf course, one of the park’s more amusing amenities in addition to playgrounds, picnic shelters, and geocaches. 

Planning to travel on two wheels? Check out Five Points Recreation Area for its network of singletrack mountain biking and multi-use trails. Cloudland Canyon’s scenery isn’t just above ground, either. Ranger-led tours into the wild Sitton’s Cave put the fascinating subterranean world on display – be prepared to get dirty.

For the best hiking adventure, explore the trails on weekdays to feel like you have all this natural beauty to yourself. Favored for its easy 1-mile round-trip path and two viewpoints, the Overlook Trail boasts impressive canyon and woodland vistas as it meanders along the rim of Cloudland Canyon.

There’s no need to pack all your activities into one day. For a unique overnight stay, reserve one of the 10 canvas glamping yurts, outfitted with rustic furnishings, a clear dome skylight, electricity, air conditioning, and front and rear decks. The yurt village, tucked in a peaceful woodsy area, has convenient bathroom facilities and fire rings, too. If you have small kiddos, try Yurts No. 2-6 due to the proximity to the playground and pavilion. Need something wheelchair-accessible? Go with Yurt No. 10.

Stargaze at Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo

Surrounded by North America’s largest blackwater swamp in the heart of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C. Foster State Park offers visitors some of the darkest skies in the Southeast. In fact, it’s the first state park in Georgia to be certified as an International Dark Sky Park, and astronomy events like nocturnal hikes, guided meteor-shower spotting, and star-viewing with telescopes are held regularly.

Thanks to minimal light pollution, you can see the shimmering depths of the Milky Way’s 100 billion stars or spot the sparkly streak of a meteor zipping swiftly by. Late summer is prime time for viewing this faraway galaxy. The monthly new moon, when moonlight is all but non-existent, is the best time to view remote star clusters with only binoculars as aid. Or, time your visit to the blossoming of the full moon when the park is bathed in an ethereal glow. Top spots for stargazing include unencumbered views from the parking lot across from the trading post and from the elevated boardwalk; other hiking trails close after dusk.

During daylight, gear up to explore this natural wonder. As the primary entry point to Okefenokee Swamp, you’ll be treated to views of Spanish moss-laced trees reflecting off the glass-like surface of the water. There’s no shortage of wildlife to see here, from turtles, herons, and wood storks to raccoons, black bears, and deer. Of course, the most famous inhabitant is the American alligator, with an estimated 12,000 living in the 402,000-acre refuge. The best and safest way to view them is from a distance in a boat. Rent a motorboat, canoe, or kayak to venture on your own, or sign up for a guided pontoon-boat tour of the swamp to learn about its wildlife, history, and ecology.

The best way to ensure you see as many celestial bodies as possible is to pitch a tent at the park’s Pioneer Campsite. With everything from a handy grill and fire ring to multiple picnic tables and shelters, this group site is a convenient spot to soak up the brilliance of Georgia’s night sky. Remember to bring insect repellent and to wear long sleeves and pants. Bring binoculars if you don’t have a telescope, and the park staff recommends red-light headlamps to preserve the Dark Sky ambiance.

Venture into the Backcountry of Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin

Known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon State Park is a notable natural wonder. The series of massive gullies formed due to poor farming practices in the 1800s, but the layered pink, orange, red, and purple hues of the soil create a beautiful setting for backcountry exploration.

Visitors can hike into Providence’s canyons or enjoy views from above. Access to the floor of the nine canyons begins at the visitor center, as you descend switchbacks on part of the Canyon Loop Trail. After exploring the base of the canyons, adventurous types have the option to embark on a 7-mile loop of rugged terrain along the Backcountry Trail, which winds through stands of fluttering river birch and follows an abandoned logging road. This trek is rated extremely difficult, so it’s not for the faint of heart, but you’ll see some extra-special canyons beyond what the typical visitor experiences if you’re ready to rough it. Just remember: always stick to the trail, dress for the weather, wear sturdy and waterproof footwear, and bring everything you need, such as a backpack, water, snacks, sunscreen, rain protection, a first-aid kit, your cell phone, sunglasses, and a headlamp or flashlight in case you’re out there after dark.

Fall is also the ideal time to visit, when temperatures are cooler and fall foliage peaks. Test your mettle with an overnight backpacking trip along the ever-scenic Backcountry Trail. You’ll hoof it along a narrow path overhung with branches to six primitive tent-only campsites surrounded by trees. All six offer developed fire rings and are located 2 to 3 miles from the parking lot. 

Come prepared to carry all your supplies, including enough water and food for everyone in your adventure group, up and down steep hillsides, and sometimes through swaths of orange-clay mud. You’ll be rewarded with startling, sandstone rock formation views as you go; campsites No. 1 and 2 are nearest to some of the trail’s prettiest views. Leave enough time to arrive at your campsite well before dusk so you have plenty of time to pitch your tent and gather firewood. Reservations for campsites are required.

Take a Day Trip: Plains

Whether you need to reconnect to the grid or are looking for more places to see, make a quick trip to Plains, less than 35 miles away. Home to former Georgia Governor and President Jimmy Carter, the town is filled with historical landmarks related to his life and presidency. Visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park to see the Plains Depot, originally constructed in 1888. It’s a museum dedicated to the signs, slogans, sounds, and souvenirs of Carter’s political campaigns. The Boyhood Farm takes visitors back in time while showcasing an enduring agricultural spirit. Make a stop at Plain Peanuts and General Store to pick up a package of the town’s most famous export, then have a bite at the local Buffalo Cafe in an old bank building.

Trek Through F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain

F.D. Roosevelt State Park – the largest state park in Georgia – sprawls more than 9,000 acres through lush forestland boasting hardwood and pine, creating a haven for hikers, water lovers, horseback riders, and beyond in the rolling mountains only a 1.5-hour drive from the state capital.

Many of the 40-plus miles of trails are part of the Pine Mountain Trail, home to a series of tumbling waterfalls with names like Cascade, Csonka, Big Rock, and Slippery Rock. This well-maintained trail system is one of the state’s best and is designed for maximum enjoyment of both day and overnight hikers. The main route measures 23 miles, but seven side-loops along the way provide a variety of trails and sections waiting to be explored. 

For sweeping valley views mixed with history, drive up to Dowdell’s Knob. This geologic feature, at 1,395 feet above sea level, is a spur that projects into the Pine Mountain Valley, providing a panoramic look at the expansive treescape below. Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt used it as a respite for contemplation and picnics, which is commemorated by a life-size memorial statue of him. Snap a “sculpture selfie” before setting out on the 4.3-mile Dowdell’s Knob Loop Trail.

The park has a variety of amenities to enjoy between hikes, including the Liberty Bell Pool. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and fed by spring water, it’s a welcome summertime oasis. For guided horseback rides, head to the privately operated Roosevelt Stables to saddle up and see the park from a different perspective. Around Lake Deleanor, rent a kayak, canoe, Jon Boat, or Aqua Cycle to get out on the water for fishing or sightseeing. 

If you’re seeking solitude, skip the most popular Wolfden Loop, and instead take the 3.2-mile Mountain Creek Nature Trail. This less-strenuous loop starts behind the main campground and passes through multiple plant habitats. Those looking for an all-day hike should tackle the 7.8-mile Big Poplar Loop, named for an especially lovely tree near the mile 10 marker of the Pine Mountain Trail. With a number of earthy rock outcroppings and creeks to cross, it’s a favorite for many hikers.

The assortment of charming, one-of-a-kind cottages built in the 1930s – both one and two bedrooms – include homey touches like artisan-crafted fireplaces, buttery pine paneling, and the delightfully modern chill of air conditioning. The four original cottages (No. 1-4), made of rough-hewn stone, are tucked along a high ridge facing east toward the soft glow of a Georgia sunrise. Sip a steaming cup of joe on your outdoor deck for the first rays of morning overlooking an expanse of flourishing forestland. Rather have your own water view? Cottages No. 13-16 are snuggled up to a placid lake, ringed by mature trees, which you can see from the screened porch.

Take a Day Trip: Warm Springs

To learn more about the park’s namesake, visit the nearby Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historic Site in Warm Springs. Franklin D. Roosevelt first visited this part of Georgia in 1924 to swim in the buoyant springs that offered relief from pain caused by polio. Today, visitors can tour his former home, now a museum, and the pool complex.

Go With the Flow at Seminole State Park in Donalsonville

Seminole State Park surrounds a small cove on the stunning 37,500-acre Lake Seminole in southwest Georgia. Here you can see the winding Chattahoochee River empty into a vast body of sky-reflecting water. It’s home to everything from great egrets to American alligators and thick swaths of delicate lily pads.

The smooth water of Lake Seminole is perfect for water skiing and tubing, and there’s nothing like seeing the sunset’s kaleidoscope of rosy colors mirrored on the water during an evening boat ride. Rent a kayak or canoe at the state park to paddle through peaceful coves while appreciating the forested scenery. Pack your tackle box and a picnic lunch for a day of angling from the large fishing dock, where you might catch catfish, crappie, or bass. Or, enjoy the scenery by foot from a boardwalk that crosses over a picturesque water-lily pond.

The sandy beach – with a designated swim area – is also a big draw for water lovers and families. Little ones can make sandcastles by day and s’mores at night around the fire. There are also two playgrounds to burn off some energy, plus a miniature golf area.

Choose from 50 tent, trailer, and RV electric campsites or 14 two-bedroom cottages with bathrooms and kitchens to make your temporary home. Many of the sites are near the water’s edge, offering excellent views and easy access to the lake.

Discover More Georgia State Parks

With 48 state parks and 17 state historic sites across Georgia, there’s plenty more to see and do. Learn about all of them, and get trip ideas to plan your next outing at gastateparks.org.

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