Georgia is known for its large cities and fun attractions such as the World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium, but Georgia is also known for its rugged beauty. Go ahead; escape the city life and travel to some of Georgia’s state parks to bask in the beauty and tranquility that nature has to offer. There are about 50 Georgia state parks, and visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, golfing, biking, paddling, Geocaching, camping, and more! I have been to about ten state parks, but my three favorites are Providence Canyon, Tallulah Gorge, and Red Top Mountain.
Providence Canyon, also know as the Little Grand Canyon, is one of Georgia’s seven wonders. Providence Canyon contains colossal gullies, some as deep as 150 feet. They were created in the 1800's due to lousy farming practices. However, the Little Grand Canyon allows visitors to encounter some of the most breath taking views! The hiking trail is three-miles long and there are fences that allow you to get close enough to the beautiful rock formations without being too close to the canyon edge. Once you are done hiking, you can sit back and relax while having a nice family picnic to have a perfect end to your incredible outdoor adventure.
Tallulah Gorge was one of the first state parks I’ve visited. The actual gorge itself is two-miles long and almost 1,000 feet deep. No wonder it's one of Georgia’s natural wonders! I hiked along the three-mile north and south rim trail. Hikers get to experience the sounds of the gushing water roaring along a river pathway. Along the trail there is a suspension bridge 80 feet above a rocky bottom. I remember taking my first step onto the swaying bridge; I looked down terrified because I had a fear of heights. Then, I noticed the spectacular view, and I wasn’t really scared anymore. I even stopped to snap a picture! When I exited the lengthy bridge, I realized my legs were shaking. However, I still had a knee-knocking good time crossing that bridge! In addition to hiking I went fishing, played tennis with my family, and my sister practiced her archery skills.
Red Top Mountain is located on Lake Allatoona, and is perfect for water activities such as swimming and fishing. This state park also has a lovely little beach near the lake. As far as hiking goes, there are over 15 miles of hiking trails, so this state park has a variety of trails visitors can hike. Red Top Mountain is named after the rich red soil. This coloration is caused by a high concentration of iron ore found in this region; it can be found all over the hiking trails. One of my most memorable hiking experiences was being able to spot a Red-tailed hawk resting peacefully on a tree branch. It was incredible to see the bird in its natural habitat, and how well it blended in with its surroundings. After marveling at this sight for a couple minutes, my family and I made our way to the tennis courts and played a couple rounds. Later, we walked around to see what else the park had to offer, and saw children playing on a playground, a family enjoying a picnic lunch, and some other visitors playing miniature golf.
I enjoy spending time with my family while hiking because it is fun and exciting. I love the feeling of adventure I get whenever I start a new hiking trail. Being outside of a city filled with cars and tall buildings is like being in another world filled with natural beauty and new discoveries. Why not try hiking today? Check out the Georgia state website at http://www.gastateparks.org/ to start your own adventure! As a Girl Scout, there are many badges and service project opportunities at most Georgia State Parks, so don’t forget to look into that as well.
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