All-terrain wheelchairs among the many accessibility improvements.

As autumn sweeps across Georgia, the state’s most popular parks often steal the spotlight for leaf watching. But this year, we invite you to venture off the beaten path and discover the vibrant fall foliage at some of Georgia’s lesser-known state parks. Color usually peaks in late October through early November at these hidden gems. All offer breathtaking displays, without crowds, making them the perfect destination for a peaceful and immersive nature experience.

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored yesterday during the annual Managers Conference. Accomplishments include improving Georgia’s natural habitats, protecting historic structures, leading outstanding ranger programs, rescues, major renovation projects, customer service excellence and more. Dozens of managers attended an awards ceremony celebrating those who make more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites outstanding destinations across Georgia. They also attended training sessions and shared ideas on park operations within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Below are this year’s award winners.

Following the successful introduction of 11 all-terrain wheelchairs in 2022, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are proud to announce an expansion of their comprehensive outdoor accessibility program Outdoors Beyond Barriers. This initiative aims to grow accessibility options across the state, ensuring that all visitors, regardless of physical limitations, can fully enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of Georgia's state parks and outdoor spaces.

The Georgia Board of Natural Resources on April 24 named a former congressman as the recipient of the 2023 Rock Howard Conservation Achievement Award during its meeting on Jekyll Island.

The Paulding County Emergency Management Agency is sponsoring a Search and Rescue Training Exercise on 4/27/2024. This exercise will provide participants with an opportunity to assess capabilities, plans, policies and procedures relating to lost/missing persons incidents. It will focus on decision-making, coordination, and integration with other organizations during a search. The expected outcome of the exercise is to enhance search and rescue operations capabilities and strengthen interagency coordination.

Several Georgia State Park and Historic Site employees were honored yesterday during a Rangers Conference at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder. Assistant managers, interpretive rangers, maintenance rangers and golf superintendents participated in training activities, team building and sharing ideas. An awards ceremony celebrated the efforts of those who make more than 60 sites outstanding destinations for Georgia’s citizens and visitors. Learn more about these attractions operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at GaStateParks.org.

Georgia residents will be able to book accommodations 14 months in advance at sites operated by Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, one month earlier than out-of-state visitors. This includes newly renovated full hookup campsites at Vogel, historic CCC cottages at F.D. Roosevelt and yurts at Cloudland Canyon.

Fort Yargo State Park in Winder has closed its popular swimming beach and day-use area for a major renovation project this year. Once complete in mid-2025, park visitors will enjoy a larger swimming beach, more parking, a new pavilion, picnic areas and more. Hiking and biking trails, cottages, campsites, yurts, boat ramps and group facilities will remain open during construction.

Under the leadership of Commissioner Walter Rabon, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced its renewed commitment to providing hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational opportunities for those with mobility impairments. More than 2.2 million Georgians have a disability, and of that, 14 percent of those are mobility related. Given the number of Georgians impacted, the Georgia DNR has put an increased focus on creating adaptive outdoor opportunities to people across the state.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the selection of the 2023-2024 Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grants for conservation and outdoor recreation projects. Selected applicants will advance to the second-level application, marking the final level of the application process for their proposals. This funding cycle will allocate an impressive $20.6 million to support local parks and trails systems and state-owned lands. Notably, these grantees have pledged an additional estimated $26 million in matching funding.

As Disability Awareness Month approaches in March, Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites proudly shine a spotlight on their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for visitors of all abilities. With the recent addition of the use of All-Terrain Wheelchairs at 11 State Parks last year, Georgia’s State Parks also provide a number of additional offerings to make it easier for those with disabilities to get outdoors and reconnect with nature and history, explore nature trails, go fishing and attend adaptive hunts.

Samantha (Sami) Wilson has been named manager of Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona, one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. She was previously the assistant manager of Chattahoochee Bend State Park near Newnan.

As spring break approaches, adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike are setting their sights on Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites for the ultimate getaway. With parks spanning from the mountains of north Georgia to the wetlands of south Georgia and everything in between, the parks offer a myriad of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery, and the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable spring break experience.

To spotlight Georgia’s fascinating past, State Historic Sites are offering free admission on Sunday, February 11. The event is part of Georgia History Festival’s statewide celebration of “Super Museum Sunday.” Visitors can learn about Geechee Gullah ring shouting, translate the Cherokee Nation’s first newspaper, admire FDR’s hand-controlled roadster, and walk in the footsteps of Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers. Find more than a dozen places to step into the past at GaStateParks.org/SuperMuseumSunday.

Black Rock Mountain State Park Manager Jessica James Weems has been promoted to Revenue Manager for Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, a division of the Department of Natural Resources. She will be responsible for analyzing all elements of revenue, occupancy and visitation which support the division’s mission.

Andre McLendon, a longtime Crawfordville resident and manager of A.H. Stephens State Park, was recently promoted to Region 3 Manager of the Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, a division of the Department of Natural Resources. He will be responsible for guiding management and protection of 12 sites, including Mistletoe, Elijah Clark and Hard Labor Creek state parks.

One of Savannah’s most photographed historic sites, colonial Wormsloe, unveiled its new visitor center on Wednesday, January 3. State and local leaders, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials, members of the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and others gathered for the ribbon-cutting at the new Wormsloe State Historic Site Visitor Center.

Get an inspirational start to 2024 by joining the “First Day Hikes” movement on New Year’s Day. Rangers at more than 40 Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites are offering guided adventures where you can connect with friends, family and the great outdoors. Hikers can choose from a variety of distances and difficulties, from kid-friendly strolls to heart-pumping treks. Participants will get a First Day Hikes sticker to commemorate their accomplishments.

The holidays are right around the corner, so time to start planning and shopping. Looking for a unique gift for the holiday season? Give your friends and family the gift of the outdoors. Wow them with waterfalls, lakes, and swamps; surprise them with trails, geocaching, and mountain tops; and excite them with overnight stays in yurts, cabins, and cottages. Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites have amazing gift ideas for every outdoor enthusiast this year.