10 Best Ways to Celebrate Earth Day in Georgia
From waterfalls in Helen to unspoiled beaches on Cumberland Island, Georgia is full of inspiring places to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Reflect on the beauty of nature as you experience magnificent landscapes and fascinating wildlife along wooded trails, in gardens and parks, or as you camp out and sleep under the stars. Join special events to meet other nature lovers, clean and beautify public spaces, and learn ways to protect the planet for generations to come.
Choose a new way to celebrate Earth Day in Georgia with the ideas below.
Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Georgia. Photo by @elleysmith
1. Explore natural wonders
You’ll be amazed by the unique features of the Earth’s diverse landscape in Georgia from the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast to North America's largest blackwater swamp. Hike through Georgia’s "Little Grand Canyon," admire the state’s largest natural spring, take in the view from the top of a monadnock right outside of Atlanta and more. Mark Earth Day with Adventures at Georgia’s 7 Natural Wonders and gain a new appreciation for Mother Nature’s handiwork throughout the state.
Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, Georgia. Photo by Jacob Tekippe
2. Hit the trails
No matter where you go in Georgia, you’re never far from a trail where you can hike, bike, run or roll and become immersed in nature. Bring your hiking poles to check out a stretch of the Appalachian Trail through the mountains, pedal along the paved Silver Comet Trail in west Georgia, follow the half-mile trail to Anna Ruby Falls in Helen, or explore the boardwalk through the marsh on the Earth Day Nature Trail in Brunswick. Keep an eye out and ears open for unique birds, and other native plants and wildlife along the way.
Wild horse on the beach on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Photo by @2traveldads
3. Get in free to national parks
April 19, 2025, kicks off National Park Week, and national parks that typically charge entrance fees will waive those fees on this day. In Georgia, four national park sites typically charge entrance fees:
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- Chickamauga & Chattahoochee National Military Park
- Fort Pulaski National Monument
- Cumberland Island
Explore those and several other national park sites in Georgia.
Timberline Glamping on Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia
4. Go camping or glamping
Get close to nature on a springtime camping trip, where you can count constellations as you relax around a campfire and wake to birds chirping as the sun rises. Choose a location in the mountains, on the coast, near a lake or even tucked away in a city. Take your pick of camping style from RV resorts to backcountry trails, treehouses and geodesic domes to luxury safari-style tents and tiny cabins.
Milky Way over Vogel State Park in Blairsville, Georgia. Photo by @damiandelgado
5. Go stargazing
Fall and winter may be the best times to go stargazing in Georgia as temperatures drop and nights are longer, but you can still see quite well in spring. Seek out a quiet knoll, survey the planets and stars, and ponder the wonders of the universe and Earth’s place in it. Or, you can go to Georgia’s planetariums and observatories to learn more about space from astronomers.
WildWoods at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, Georgia
6. Visit a museum or nature center
Georgia has many museums and nature centers where you can learn about native wildlife, geology, and ecology and attend special Earth Day events.
Join the 4-H Tidelands Nature Center on Jekyll Island to celebrate Earth Day at the beach. Take a walk and learn about the tides, sand dunes, and how sand moves along barrier islands. You can help keep the beach beautiful by picking up trash during the walk.
Celebrate spring on Little Critters Day with baby animals, themed crafts, and activities at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta. While you’re there, catch a movie at Fernbank’s Giant Screen Theater and explore WildWoods at Fernbank Forest, an immersive nature trail with hands-on exhibits and beautiful scenery.
Japanese garden at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia
7. Admire the beauty of gardens
Perfectly timed during spring’s peak blooms, Earth Day is a beautiful opportunity to explore Georgia’s gardens.
Spend a day in North Georgia at the stunning Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens for The Rhododendron Festival. Stroll the gardens in Hiawassee to see native wildflowers like trilliums, shooting stars, and trout lilies, and more than 1,500 rhododendrons and native azaleas in peak bloom. Each weekend, enjoy crafters, live music, food, drinks, a plant sale, seminars, and more.
Enjoy engaging and fun family activities celebrating nature and beautiful plants during Earth Day events at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta.
Picking berries at Southern Belle Farm in McDonough, Georgia. Photo by @justthekings
8. Visit a farm
Where would we be without family farms and their stewardship of the land to produce healthy food generation after generation? Celebrate Earth Day at Georgia’s family farms and learn about how they work with Mother Nature to grow springtime favorites like strawberries.
Visit Southern Belle Farm in McDonough to pick your own strawberries and enjoy the family fun attractions like pedal karts, jumping pillows, a trike track and gem mining. They're closed on Mondays but otherwise open for spring activities April through June.
Super Spring Saturdays at Washington Farms in Bogart feature fun farm activities, including wagon rides, a petting zoo, a cow train, ziplines, and paintball. The farm is open on Saturdays from mid-April to late May. Try the delicious homemade strawberry ice cream, slushies, hand-squeezed lemonade, and freshly popped kettle corn while you’re there.
More: 47 Places to Pick (or Pick Up) Strawberries in Georgia
Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by @mseeley
9. Learn about animals and wildlife
We share the planet with an incredible variety of animals and wildlife, and Georgia’s animal parks and zoos contribute to conservation through research and education. You can learn about beluga whales at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, gopher tortoises at Chehaw Park in Albany, giant zebras at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, camels at North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland, and many more.
Trombone Shorty at Sweetwater 420 Fest in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Addison Hill
10. Join the fun at events and festivals
Celebrate Earth Day with other nature lovers at festivals and events throughout Georgia.
Earth Day Week in Winder
Join other volunteers on Earth Day at Fort Yargo State Park to clean up along the Wilkins Greenway Trail.
Sweetwater 420 Fest in Atlanta
If you love music, beer and Mother Earth, don’t miss Sweetwater 420 Fest April 18-20, 2025, at the Pullman Yards grounds in Atlanta. Historically held on the weekend closest to Earth Day, the festival hosts charities, non-profits, and environmental workshops alongside the live music, food trucks, artist market, and beer stations. Advance tickets and VIP options are available.
Spring Festival at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah
Visit Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah for the annual Spring Festival. In honor of Earth Day, vendors will sell environmentally friendly products. Take a guided nature hike, and enjoy live animal programs and food trucks.
Find more events and festivals on the Explore Georgia Calendar of Events.
