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While Georgia is often remembered for peaches, southern hospitality, and some famous people like Martin Luther King, the Peach State has many other wonderful attractions, including the state parks in Georgia.
Georgia has 63 state parks and historical sites, ranging from the large F.D. Roosevelt State Park to Moccasin Creek State Park (the smallest).
The parks in Georgia provide visitors with a plethora of fun activities, stunning views, and fantastic outdoor outing opportunities—everything nature lovers want!
You may feel overwhelmed with so many Georgia state parks, so we’ve put together an informative guide examining 15 top state parks in Georgia to make deciding which parks to visit easier.
15 Best State Parks in Georgia
Here are our favorite state parks in Georgia in no particular order.
1. High Falls State Park
High Falls state park is named after the waterfall created by the Towaliga River, the tallest fall south of Atlanta. This state park is a “must-do” fishing stop.
The 1050 acres. High Falls state park is northwest of Macon in Monroe county. This park is centered around the river and its 650-acre lake. There are also wooded hills in the region.
Main Attractions And Activities
While fishing trips are a prominent draw (the lake is a significant hotspot for white and hybrid bass), the hiking trails along the river are also great.
There is also a route to the ruins of an old hydroelectric plant.
Park activities include boating, kayaking, miniature golf, and swimming (pools).
Amenities
This state park features six yurts, 106 campsites, one 25-sleeper, a paddle-in primitive site, and group and picnic shelters.
There are also two boat ramps, swimming pools, and playgrounds.
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2. Vogel State Park
Vogel state park is a family-friendly Georgia park. Established in 1931, this is the second oldest of the Georgia state parks.
In 1933, 200 volunteers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built a dam and planted some 50,000 trees.
This 233-acre Georgia state park is roughly 2500 ft above sea level, at the base of Blood Mountain, in the Chattahoochee National Forest, close to Blairsville, North Georgia.
Lake Trahlyta is 22 acres, and motorized watercraft are not permitted.
Main Attractions And Activities
Vogel state park has many interesting features, from landscape to history.
The mountain pass, the “Neel Gap,” located close to Brasstown Bald, is the highest point in Georgia, while the Blue Ridge Mountains are beautiful gold, red, and yellow during the fall in Georgia as the leaves change color.
There is 17 mi of acclaimed trails, including the 4-mi Bear Hair Gap loop (which takes hikers to Trahlyta Falls) and the challenging 13-mi Coosa Backcountry Trail. Guests have access to the lake beach.
Many of the park’s facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a museum is dedicated to their story.
Other activities include fishing, swimming/paddling, miniature golf, biking, kayaking, and pedal boat rentals.
Some interesting sights include spring wildflowers, bats, owls, and many other birds that inhabit the forest. There are also bears in the area.
Amenities
Vogel State Park has 34 cottages, 90 campsites, 18 walk-in campsites, a pioneer campground, a lake pavilion, picnic, and group shelters.
There is a General store and playground. Wifi is available.
3. Amicalola Falls State Park
The Amicalola Falls state park is a fantastic conference and group destination. It also caters to families with children.
The park was established in 1940. The park’s name, “Amicalola,” comes from the Cherokee language and means “Tumbling Water.”
Located within Chattahoochee National Forest, Northeast of Dawsonville, Georgia.
This park is 829 acres of mountain wilderness, close to the North Georgia Mountains and 8 mi from the Appalachian Trail.
Main Attractions And Activities
The quintessential attraction of the park is the spectacular 729-ft Amicalola Falls, the highest in Georgia and the third-highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.
The Amicalola Falls Lodge (1 of 5 state parks in Georgia with a Lodge and Restaurant) adds a certain allure for most guests.
Aside from several beautiful trails (including the 8.5-mile Approach Trail, which leads hikers to the Southern endpoint of the 2,193-mi Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain), other activities include ziplining, trout fishing, guided hikes, and 3-day archery courses.
Amenities
This state park features 57 lodge rooms, 14 charming cabins, 24 wooden campsites, 4 “glamping” sites, and two pet-friendly cabins.
4. Black Rock Mountain State Park
The Black Rock Mountain state park is well-known for its stunning scenery and was established in 1952.
Black Rock Mountain state park is named after the dark granite cliffs in the area; situated 3640 ft above sea level, this is the highest of the state parks in Georgia, with six peaks.
It spans 3 mi along the Eastern Continental Divide (the spine of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains) and encompasses 1743 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
The magnificent views and fantastic ecology are major draws to this state park. Lovely passes with winding walking trails and lookout points provide excellent 80-mi vistas of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
The park features lush forests, streams, a small (17 acres) lake, wildflowers, and small waterfalls. Wildlife includes gray chipmunks, black bears, bobcats, foxes, squirrels, and various birds.
The four hiking trails provide hikers with spectacular views, including an easy lake trail, and other activities include fishing, boating/paddling, and picnicking.
Amenities
This state park features four backcountry campsites, ten mountain-top cottages, 44 RV, tent, and trailer sites, 12 walk-in campsites, and two picnic shelters.
There is a visitor center, gift shop, basic playground, and wifi.
5. Cloudland Canyon State Park
The Cloudland Canyon state park offers spectacular beautiful views of the surrounding Cumberland plateau.
One of the largest Georgia state parks (3538 acres), Cloudland Canyon state park is part of the Appalachian range, roughly 2,000 ft above sea level.
The park is on the western edge of Lookout Mountain.
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Main Attractions And Activities
Cloudland Canyon state park is an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise. The (roughly) 23 miles of trails offer access and views of caves, creeks, dense woodlands, 1000-ft deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, copious wildlife, and waterfalls.
Hikers will appreciate the short Overlook Trail, medium West Rim Loop Trail, and the challenging Waterfalls Trail. Mountain bikers can access the Five Points Recreation Area and Cloudland Connector Trail.
Other activities include the canyon climbers club, disc golf, fishing (in the catfish pond), spelunking, and horseback riding.
Amenities
This state park features ten wood and canvas yurts, 16 cottages, a 40-sleeper group lodge, 72 campsites, 30 walk-in campsites, 13 backcountry campsites, and a communal picnic area/pavilion with six picnic shelters.
The park also has a small playground and gift shop/convenience store.
6. Don Carter State Park
One of the most popular water-related state parks in Georgia, the Don Carter state park is new (established in 2013) and named after the businessman who served on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources board.
The Don Carter state park is on the northern side of the 38,000-acre Lake Lanier, where the Chattahoochee River enters the reservoir. The state park is 1316 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
The lake is the predominant feature of this park. Access to the lake and river (for various watercraft, including kayaks and private boats) is through several boat ramps.
There are 8 mi of paddling trails and a sand beach area for those happy to stay on the banks and who want to swim close to the shore.
There are also 14 ½ mil hiking and biking trails running through the hardwood forest.
Other activities include outdoor recreation and fitness equipment, fishing (and a fish cleaning station), an education center, and horseback riding.
Amenities
This state park features eight cottages, 14 “basic” tenting sites, 44 campsites, and four picnic shelters.
There is also a bathhouse, playground, and gift shop.
7. Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain state park caters to those with an adventurous spirit. This park is popular among mountain bikers and was established in 1938 for the 885-foot-long rock wall close to its peak.
Located at 2,850 ft above sea level (between Chatsworth and Ellijay) on Fort Mountain, the Fort Mountain state park is close to the Cohutta Wilderness and covers 4,058 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
There is roughly 60 mi of trails (27 mi of biking trails), offering spectacular views of the wilderness as they take you through blueberry thickets and hardwood forests; and to the rock wall after which the park is named.
Although this park caters to hikers and mountain bikers, it also holds a fantastic selection of historical and recreational interests, like the Civilian Conservation Corps stone fire tower.
There are several streams and a 17-acre lake with a beach where visitors can relax/cool off.
Other activities include horseback riding, fishing, educational programs, miniature golf, and paddling.
Amenities
This state park features 15 cottages, 70 campsites, four backcountry campsites, four walk-in campsites, six platform campsites, and seven picnic shelters.
It also has a playground and a gift shop.
8. Moccasin Creek State Park
Another of the water-orientated state parks in Georgia, the Moccasin Creek state park, was originally a basic campsite in 1963, which grew into a state park.
Situated on the 2,775-acre Lake Burton shoreline, this 32-acre park is surprisingly flat for the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Main Attractions And Activities
Moccasin Creek state park caters to water sports and activities, including boating and paddling (private and rental). There are several trails at the nearby Blue Ridge mountain.
A restricted access fishing pier is open to those over 64 years old, children under 11, and those possessing a Georgia disability fishing card.
There is also a fish hatchery open for tours at set times on weekdays.
Amenities
This state park features 53 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs, one picnic shelter, and a wildlife observation tower.
There is also a boat dock and ramp, playground, and wifi.
9. James H. Floyd State Park
The James H Floyd state park features an old marble mine and caters to various visitors.
One of the northwestern state parks in Georgia, the James H Floyd state park, is in the Chattahoochee National Forest and covers 561 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
A 3 mi hiking trail leads to the mine and a waterfall, then loops past the lakes back to the visitors center. There is also a 1.6 mi hike to the start of the Pinhoti Trail.
Aside from hiking, the two lakes are stocked with bass, bream, and channel catfish, with boardwalks and waterbirds.
Activities include fishing, bird watching (bluebirds), paddling, kayaking, and pedal boating.
Amenities
This state park features four cottages, 24 campsites, four backcountry campsites, two boat ramps, a fishing pier, and four picnic shelters.
There are also two playgrounds.
10. Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park
The Georgia Veterans Memorial state park was established in 1946, and it is a popular lakeside destination that is family (and pet) friendly.
The state park is on the banks of the roughly 8,500-acre Lake Blackshear in Crisp County, west of Cordele. The park is 1308 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
The “centerpiece” of this state park is the Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club.
There are 4 mi of nature trails (including the Dark Forest Haunted trail), a military museum, and a sand beach next to the lake.
Activities include fishing, archery, airsoft, boating, kayaking, and other water sports.
Amenities
There are 82 campsites for RVs, tents, and trailers, two pioneers (basic) campsites, and group and picnic shelters.
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11. Red Top Mountain State Park
This state park is one of several Georgia parks that offers spectacular scenery and various activities for the family.
The park is on Lake Allatoona, Acworth, Georgia, and is 1776 acres. It gets its name from the red-colored soil (due to the iron present).
Main Attractions And Activities
There is 15 mi of hiking trails spidering through the forested park. There is a short paved trail for wheelchairs and strollers that leads to a reconstructed 1800s homestead.
Alternatively, mountain bikers and hikers who prefer a challenge can walk the 4 mi Iron Hill Trail.
A pivotal feature of the park is the glorious 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, with a marina and a sand beach cove area.
For those who don’t hike/bike, the park showcases the history of iron mining in the Etowah Valley, including mining demonstrations and the Allatoona Pass Battlefield.
Activities include boating, educational programs, swimming, skiing, tennis, pickleball, and fishing.
Amenities
There are 20 cottages, six yurts, 93 campsites, and picnic and group shelters. There are also two boat ramps and docks, three playgrounds, and an event room.
12. Tugaloo State Park
Tugaloo state park is another of the water-oriented Georgia parks catering to the whole family, particularly those interested in water sports
This 393-acre park is located on the banks of Lake Hartwell (55,590 acres) at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The state park is on a wooded peninsula.
Main Attractions And Activities
Aside from lovely hiking trails (Sassafras and Muscadine), which meander through cherry, mulberry, oak, and walnut trees, Tugaloo periodically hosts major fishing tournaments.
There is also a sand beach.
Park activities include boating, sailing, kayaking, watersports, horse riding, tennis, volleyball, miniature golf, and fishing.
Amenities
There are 20 cottages, six yurts, 105 backcountry camping sites, 11 walk-in campsites, and a pioneer campground.
Aside from various boat ramps, there are also picnic areas, group shelters, and a pavilion.
13. Unicoi State Park & Lodge
The Unicoi state park & lodge is a wondrous lakeside retreat for the whole family (pets included), with mountains nearby.
This state park is in the North Georgia Mountains, 2 mi north of Alpine Helen.
The 1,050-acre park and lodge are centered around Lake Unicoi within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Lake Unicoi is 53 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
Visitors access the spectacular waterfall, Anna Ruby Falls, via wonderous hiking trails.
These trails also lead to Helen (a charming mountain town with traditional German foodstuffs). There are also several mountain biking trails and a sandy beach.
One of many phenomenal fishing areas is Smith Creek, a tributary of the Chattahoochee River, which meanders from the falls to the lake.
Park activities include archery, fishing, kayaking, target shooting, paddle boarding and boating, and zip lining.
Amenities
This beautiful state park features 96 hotel rooms in the lodge, 29 cozy cabins, 48 RV and 33 tent campsites, and 15 primitive campsites.
14. Indian Springs State Park
The Indian Springs state park appeals to history buffs and those looking for an “old timely” spa experience.
Located in the middle of Georgia (Flovilla, Butts county), this 765 acres park consists of a creek, surrounding woodlands, and a small (105 acres) lake.
Main Attractions And Activities
Long before the European settlers, the native Americans visited this spring for “healing” and drinking purposes.
The springs are rich in minerals which led to the belief in their healing properties.
A small museum follows the area’s history, and the Civilian Conservation Corps erected a stone-made “Spring House” where visitors can collect water.
Aside from history, Sandy Creek is lovely for swimming in, and Dauset Trails offer hiking and biking routes.
Some other activities include fishing, kayaking, miniature golf, and boating.
Amenities
There are ten cottages, 62 campsites, a 130-sleeper group camp, and a 500-seater event area.
This park also features wifi, picnic areas, group shelters, a pavilion, a playground, and a boat ramp.
15. Providence Canyon State Park
Providence Canyon state park provides visitors insight into the area’s geology. This canyon was created through erosion after poor farming practices destabilized the ground, allowing water to cut through the rock.
Located in Lumpkin, Stewart County, close to Lake Walter F. George. The park includes the canyons and the surrounding forested areas. The park is 1003 acres.
Main Attractions And Activities
Amazingly, 150 ft deep gullies began forming in the 19th century, providing spectacular views of the geology and the resulting orange, red, pink, and purple soil. Several hiking trails run between the various canyons.
The rare Plum-leaf Azalea also grows in this region.
The Canyon Climbers Club might be an option if you’re adventurous, and there are astronomy and geology programs for those interested.
Amenities
This state park features three pioneer campsites, six backcountry campsites, picnic shelters, and a museum and visitors center.
The nearby Florence Marina State Park offers additional accommodation.
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