Georgia has an extensive array of national and state parks. The state has nearly 70 parks or historical sites, which can be found in the mountainous areas in the north, the large tracts of pine forests in the western and central parts of the state, and the areas along the Atlantic Coast. Many of these parks also have campgrounds.
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was founded in 1890 to commemorate the major Civil War battles fought in this area in 1863. Located in Northern Georgia, the park was the first of its kind in the country. The 5,500-acre Chickamauga Battlefield has monuments, historical tablets, exhibits, hiking trails and a seven-mile auto tour. Its visitors center houses a bookstore and a collection of firearms. The 3,000-acre Lookout Mountain Battlefield portion of the park overlooks the Tennessee River and has monuments, historical markers, hiking trails, spectacular views and a visitors center. The park is open throughout the year and offers various park ranger programs.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
P.O. Box 2128
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9241
nps.gov
The Florence Marina State Park is in western Georgia, on the northern end of the 45,000-acre Lake Walter F. George. The park is adjacent to a marina with a fishing pier, boat docks and a boat ramp. Fishing and boating are popular activities at the park, which also has an interpretive center that provides information on Native Americans and the area's history. The center also displays snakes, turtles, fish and prehistoric artifacts. The 173-acre state park has 43 camping sites for either tents or RVs that come with cable TV, sewer and 30-amp electrical hook-ups. Some sites have 50-amp electricity available. Campers can also stay in six cottages or in eight efficiency units. The park also has a picnic shelter, restrooms, showers and two playgrounds.
Florence Marina State Park
218 Florence Road
Omaha, GA 31821
800-864-7275
gastateparks.org
The Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge is on 829 acres in a mountainous area in northern Georgia. The park features a 729-foot waterfall and an 8.5-mile hiking trail to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can also opt for other shorter trails. The lodge sits atop a mountain and has many of the amenities of a modern hotel. Amicalola Falls State Park also has cottages, a campgrounds, a restaurant that is known for its Sunday brunch, and a visitors center with nature exhibits, live animals and a gift shop. The lodge has 56 guests rooms, and the park has 24 sites for tents or RVs, four picnic shelters, playgrounds and a gift shop.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge
418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
800-864-7275
gastateparks.org
