Photos courtesy of Georgia State Parks

Gators and tortoises, black bears and birds. From sun-drenched swamps to blooming mountain trails, Georgia State Parks provide an abundance of opportunities to connect with nature and witness wildlife in action.

This year the parks and their residents also are a viable alternative to Clarks Hill Lake, where some amenities are unavailable because of damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Guests can see snakes and turtles in many of the visitor centers as well, and park rangers present wildlife programs throughout the summer.

If there’s not enough time to see everything in a day trip, many parks offer accommodations for overnight stays. Whether guests prefer a cozy lakeside cabin, a fully equipped cottage, a group lodge or a peaceful campsite under the stars, there are options for every type of traveler. Camping areas include RV-friendly sites, walk-in tent campsites and yurts. plan your overnight adventure, visit GaStateParks.org/Reservations.

While some of these parks have been affected by Hurricane Helene, repairs are in progress and they are open for business. To plan an overnight adventure, visit GaStateParks.org/Reservations.

Gopher Tortoise Trek
Reed Bingham State Park, Adel
Warm-weather sunshine brings Georgia’s state reptile out of its burrow at Reed Bingham, and visitors can spot gopher tortoises moving slowly along sunlit trails. They can enjoy a guided paddle through the park’s cypress-lined 375-acre lake, where alligators and softshell turtles often make their first appearances of the season. Overnight stays in the campground let people experience the sounds of nature as night falls.

The lake also is popular with boaters and skiers, and fishing for bass, crappie, catfish and bream is excellent. Paddlers can rent canoes and kayaks to explore the lake, which is lined with fragrant water lilies and tupelo trees. Guided pontoon boat tours sometimes are offered during events.

The beachside pavilion, picnic shelters and group shelters are scenic spots for parties, reunions and other celebrations. Most trails have been re-opened as debris has been cleared. Damaged boardwalk sections remain closed as repairs continue. GaStateParks.org/ReedBingham

Black Bear Sightings
Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth
When wildflowers bloom across the North Georgia mountains, black bears become more active as they forage along wooded trails in Fort Mountain. For panoramic views, hikers can explore the park’s historic stone fire tower, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and an ancient rock wall. This mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies.

Some of the most beautiful trails in Georgia wind through the park’s hardwood forest and blueberry thickets. The trails cross streams and circle a lake, where visitors can cool off beachside during the summer. Horseback riding currently is unavailable due to trailhead access work.

Sitting at 2,850 ft above sea level, Fort Mountain is a great destination for hiking and history lessons alike. The area in and around the park was home to the Cherokee Indians for hundreds of years, and their legacy is still felt throughout North Georgia today. GaStateParks.org/FortMountain

Coastal Birding Hotspot
Crooked River State Park, St. Marys
With painted buntings, great egrets and ospreys in abundance, Crooked River is a must-see for birdwatchers. Visitors can enjoy the park’s bird blind and scenic salt marsh trails, and the park also is the perfect spot to enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway and maritime forest.

The park’s nature trail winds through forest and salt marsh, and hikers may see gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons and other birds. A nature center features fish, snakes, turtles and other animals native to coastal Georgia. Visitors also can explore the nearby ruins of a tabby mill, built around 1825 and later used as a starch factory during the Civil War.

Campsites are surrounded by palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks, while cottages are set near the tidal river. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Just down the road is the ferry to the famous Cumberland Island National Seashore known for secluded beaches and wild horses. GaStateParks.org/CrookedRiver

Alligator Encounters
Laura S. Walker State Park, Waycross
Located near the northern edge of the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp, this park is home to fascinating creatures and plants, including alligators and carnivorous pitcher plants. Walking along the lake’s edge and nature trail, visitors also may spot a shy gopher tortoise, saw palmettos, yellow shafted flickers, warblers, owls and great blue herons.

The lake offers fishing, swimming and boating, and kayaks and bicycles are available for rent. The Lakes 18-hole golf course features a clubhouse, golf pro and junior/senior rates. Each fairway and landing area is defined with gentle, links-style mounds that accent the course’s three lakes.

While there is a lot to explore in the park, as of press time the Boardwalk on Big Creek Trail and Group Camp Cabin #10 remain closed until repairs can be made. Check GaStateParks.org/LauraSWalker for updates.

Hidden Birding Retreat
Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge
Just outside Atlanta, Panola Mountain offers a summertime escape with its “Power of Flight” area that attracts colorful songbirds like indigo buntings and yellow-throated warblers. Visitors can picnic while children work off energy on the playground. The park also offers archery, geocaching, orienteering and birding programs. A paved trail is open for biking, roller blading, jogging and dog-walking, while forested fitness trails attract hikers and runners.

Designated as a National Natural Landmark, Panola Mountain is a 100-acre granite outcrop similar to Stone Mountain but smaller and more pristine. Park visitors will see the outcrop and its rare ecosystem just as Native Americans did centuries ago. Ranger-led hikes teach about the rare plants and animals found in this habitat, but reservations are required.

With its unusual natural beauty and intriguing cultural changes, this park is the crown jewel of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, one of only three National Heritage Areas in the state. Through the years, this area has been home to early settlers, immigrant rock cutters, freed slaves and even Trappist monks. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a partnership among the state of Georgia; DeKalb, Henry and Rockdale counties; the Monastery of the Holy Spirit; numerous communities and public-private partners. GaStateParks.org/PanolaMountain

Deer and Wildflower Meadows
Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge
When the meadows of Hard Labor Creek are painted in bright hues, they become a prime location for spotting grazing deer in the golden light of dusk. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Hard Labor Creek also offers a wide range of recreational opportunities in a wooded setting. Visitors can explore the tranquil Brantley Trail or enjoy a quiet paddle on Lake Rutledge.

A lakeside beach is popular with swimmers during summer months, and more than 24 miles of trails are available for hikers and horseback riders. Horse owners even have their own private camping area near stalls. With so many ways to relax, it is ironic that the park’s name is thought to come from slaves who tilled summer fields or American Indians who found the creek difficult to cross.

Located between Madison and Covington off I-20, The Creek Golf Course provides one of Georgia’s best golf values, along with a pro shop, driving range, rental carts and special rates for seniors and children. The 18-hole course is a favorite for its challenging layout and well-maintained greens in a pristine, natural setting.

As of press time, the beach bathrooms are under renovation, but temporary restrooms are available nearby. GaStateParks.org/HardLaborCreek.

By Morgan Davis