A New Year of Adventures!
Friends and Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites are excited to welcome a new year of opportunity and adventure! Your next outing to your state park may be filled with miles of trails or relaxing with a fishing pole by the water.
Whatever your interest, Georgia's state parks are full of endless opportunities for you and your family. Friends chapter and park staff are busy at work preparing for your 2013 special events, some annual while others are new this year. Support our efforts in working to bring new opportunities, whether recreational or educational, by attending whenever possible. Friends and park staff are here to serve you. Keep reading to find the special events happening this month near you. See you at the parks!
After attending events, don't forget to give your valuable feedback to the presenters! We love to hear from you and your comments and suggestions continue to help us improve. Thank you for your support.
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Growing Up Wild
Thursdays durning January
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Bring your child age 3-7 to experience "Growing Up Wild," an early childhood education program that builds on children's sense of wonder about nature, plus invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-2201 ext. 305.
Beginning Bee Keeping
Saturday, January 12, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen
Learn about basic bee keeping and how to start a hive. Professional honey producer Berry Wright will discuss assembling equipment and installation of bees. A trip to the apiary will be included, weather permitting. Register in advance. $10 plus $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Bear Creek Guided Hike
Monday, January 21, 10 a.m.
Cloudland Canyon State Park – Rising Fawn
This is a strenuous hike, but we will go slow and enjoy the beautiful scenery on this 9-mile trail. Bring water, lunch, sunscreen, and a hiking stick if you have one. Meet at the G3 Building near the tennis courts. Reservations required. $15 plus $5 parking. (706) 913-7170.
Survival Skill Series at Buck Shoals
Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Smithgall Woods State Park – Helen
The first part of the series is Basic Land Navigation, including an explanation of the compass and how it works, true north vs. magnetic north, bearing/azimuth, terrain features and contour lines, application of the compass to the map and map to the compass, and more. Register in advance. $20 - $95. Call for details. $5 parking. (706) 878-3087.
Landscape Photography Workshop
Saturday, January 26, 9am-4pm
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Join professional photographer Rena Johnson in this informative photography class that will entail both a presentation and hands-on experience photographing landscapes. Pre-registration required. $75 plus $5 parking. 706-878-2201 ext. 305.
COASTAL GEORGIA
Solar Astronomy
Saturday, January 26, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Crooked River State Park – St. Marys
View and explore our closest star, the sun, with The Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project. Learn what the interior and surface of stars are like and what powers them. Look through specialized solar viewing scopes to see sunspots, calcium K images and more. $2 plus $5 parking. (912) 882-5256.
SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA
Winter Wonder Hike on Brantley Horse Trail
Saturday, January 12, 10 a.m.
Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge
Join a park ranger on this winter hike on the Brantley Horse Trail. This 5 mile guided hike is the perfect winter outing and a cure for the winter doldrums. Take a camera to record the scenery, and a light lunch to enjoy on the way. This hike is recommended for children over 10 years old, and adults that are in good walking shape. Meet at the Park Office/Trading Post. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 557-3001.
Winter Wonder Hike on Lake Rutledge Horse Trail
Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge
Join a Park Ranger on this 4-mile hike on the Lake Rutledge Horse Trail. Enjoy the scenery of rolling hills, gentle streams, and lots of forest scenery. Bring a camera to record your journey, and a light lunch to enjoy on the way. This hike is recommended for children over 10 years old, and adults in good walking shape. Meet at the Park Office/Trading Post. $5 plus $5 parking. (706) 557-3001.
Dulcimer Jam
Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Mistletoe State Park – Appling
Join musicians from around the state as they play dulcimers, fiddles, banjoes, basses, and harmonicas. You can sit back and enjoy the music or join in with an instrument of your own. $5 parking. (706) 541-2146.
METRO ATLANTA
Candlelight Hike to the Mill
Saturday, January 12, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
This mile-long guided night hike is easy to moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Meet and register at the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Backcountry Geology Hike
Sunday, January 13, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack's Branch area and the seldom-visited rock quarry of New Manchester. Meet in the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
Full Moon Night Hike
Saturday, January 26, 5:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Listen to whippoorwills and owls as the sun slowly sets and the moon begins to rise. Panola Mountain is one of the best places to see the wildlife of the night. Bring flashlights and hiking boots. Meet at the nature center 15 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. (770) 389-7801.
"Rapid to Ruins" Full Moon Hike
Saturday, January 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sweetwater Creek State Park – Lithia Springs
This 1.5-mile hike is moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. A flashlight and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. No children under 6 or dogs. Meet inside the Visitor Center. Register in advance. $6 plus $5 parking. (770) 732-5871.
For more information and updates, please visit: http://gastateparks.org/events
We also recommend contacting the respective park before attending upcoming events for any changes to the schedule.