Get Moving and Save Money With Georgia State Parks
Affordable Spring Break Fun in the Outdoors
Just in time for Spring Break, Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites are offering five top ways to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank. From affordable golf to overnight adventures, and from animal programs to hayrides, the parks have something for all ages and interests.
Free Recreation – Georgia’s state parks and historic sites offer endless recreation opportunities from mountainous hiking and biking trails to swimming beaches, coastal marshes and pristine lakes. A Georgia library card is all you need to check out a ParkPass or Historic Site Pass at Georgia’s public libraries. The passes are good for free parking or admission at any of the 63 state parks and historic sites statewide. For a listing of Georgia’s public libraries, go to www.georgialibraries.org.
Affordable Staycations – Skip the high-priced hotels with Spring Break crowds. Rent a state park cottage and you’ll sleep under the stars surrounded by acres of forest and lakes. Cottages feature well-equipped kitchens, comfortable furnishings and grills. For $110 a night, families can enjoy a cozy cottage inside F.D. Roosevelt State Park, with hiking trails and a fishing lake right outside their door. State parks also offer yurts, lodge rooms and campsites, with details found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/reservations.
F.D. Roosevelt Cottage (Credit: Georgia Department of Natural Resources)
Family-Friendly Events – Spring is an ideal time to visit Georgia’s state parks and take advantage of a wide variety of fun events nearly every weekend. From wildflower hikes to spring festivals, and astronomy programs to bluegrass concerts, you are sure to find a program for all tastes. Many events are free with historic site admission or parking fee of $5. State parks offer a day of outdoor fun that costs less than a kid’s meal at your favorite restaurant. A full calendar listing can be found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
Golf – Golf enthusiasts can enjoy pristine settings, affordable rates and a family- friendly atmosphere at Georgia’s eight state park golf courses. Escape the usual suburban courses with subdivisions. The state park courses are surrounded by sparkling lakes and thick forests, with rounds starting as low as $25 for 18 holes (weekdays). For tee times call (800) 434-0982. More information is available at www.GeorgiaGolf.com.
Year-long Adventure – For less than the cost of a gym membership, you can enjoy unlimited outdoor recreation year-round while protecting our natural resources. A Friends membership includes a free Annual ParkPass, Annual Historic Site Pass, a free night of camping or round of golf, and many additional perks. Membership levels begin at $50 for an individual and $75 per family. Learn more at www.FriendsofGaStateParks.org.
About Georgia State Parks
Georgia’s state parks and historic sites are operated by the Department of Natural Resources and offer pristine natural beauty from coastal marshes and midland swamps to piedmont plains and breathtaking mountains. For more information, including a full list of parks and accommodations, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. Keep up with the latest news by finding them on Facebook and Twitter.
