One of the most beautiful times of the year to visit Georgia State Parks, Fall offers nature’s most colorful scenery all throughout the state. With plenty of parks to choose from, there’s something for everyone. There’s everything from scenic byways with gorgeous overlooks, to hiking areas of all levels, to ziplines over the treetops for the most adventurous thrill seekers.
To help you plan your next visit with nature, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best parks in Georgia for viewing the Fall colors.
Top 10 Georgia State Parks to Visit in the Fall
This alphabetical list will take you from northern Georgia to the south of Atlanta, visiting some of the best Georgia State Parks there are to offer. Plan your fall travel now!
Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville
Just a short drive from Atlanta, visit the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast, located in Amicalola Falls State Park. Great for a fall day trip, there is a hiking area for virtually everyone. Choose either the short and easy route to the boardwalk, which offers breathtaking views, or the tougher hike starting at the base of the falls leading up a steep staircase.
Black Rock Mountain State Park in Clayton
Staking claim as Georgia’s highest state park, Black Rock Mountain reaches an altitude of 3,640 feet. This is not to be confused with Brasstown Bald, which holds the title of the highest peak. A drive through the park offers visitors sweeping views from both roadsides overlooks and the Visitor’s Center. Soak in the beauty of Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains by taking a moderate 2.2-mile hike on the Tennessee Rock Trail. For a more adventurous day, the James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail offers a challenging 7.2-mile hike.
Cloudland Canyon State Park near Chattanooga
Offering easily accessible rim overlooks and challenging trails, Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of Georgia’s most beautiful parks. There are two waterfalls at the bottom of the canyon if you’re up for a hike down (and back up) the stairs. There’s also the West Rim Loop hike, which offers a moderately difficult 5-mile hike with gorgeous views of the canyon.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain
The F.D. Roosevelt State Park will take you south of Atlanta. Take a drive on Ga. Hwy. 190 through the rolling mountains and hardwood forest for gorgeous fall foliage views. A drive to Dowdell’s Knob will bring you to a life-size bronze sculpture of President F.D. Roosevelt and offers beautiful views of the valley. For a little more adventure, hike the 6.7-mile Wolf Den Loop, which is park visitor’s favorite section of the Pine Mountain Trail.
Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth
For a bit of mystery, check out Fort Mountain State Park’s mysterious rock wall along the mountaintop. A 1.2-mile loop offers the easiest hike around the park’s green lake. But, for a bigger challenge, take the long hike on the 8-mile Gahuti Trail. For a more leisurely tour of the park without ever leaving your car, take a drive on Hwy. 52, with overlooks to stop and soak in the beautiful mountain scenery. With more than 14 miles of mountain biking trails and a variety of hiking areas, there’s plenty for everyone at this Georgia State Park.
Moccasin Creek State Park in Lake Burton
Sitting on the shore of a gorgeous deep-green lake, Moccasin Creek State Park is Georgia’s smallest. Visitors to the park can take a 2-mile hike on the Hemlock Falls Trail, or a 1-mile Non-Game Trail with a wildlife observation tower. A drive along Hwy. 197 offers a particularly pretty route, passing popular attractions such as Mark of the Potter.
Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen
The perfect park for fly fishing while admiring the fall foliage, Smithgall Woods State Park protects more than 6,000 acres around Dukes Creek. For great views of Mt. Yonha, after the leaves have fallen, take a short 1.6-mile hiking loop to Laurel Ridge. Day trip guests can picnic near the creek, while overnight guests can hike the private trail to Dukes Creek Falls. Smithgall Woods offers some of Georgia State Park’s most sought-after cabins. There are also nearby wineries, as well as Helen’s Oktoberfest, making a visit to this park a great weekend getaway. Plan your fall travel now y comparing the best prices on my all new “Travel Now” page!
Tallulah State Park near Clayton
One of the most spectacular canyons in the Southeast United States, Tallulah Gorge State Park offers the option of easy or difficult hiking trails. A hike along the rim offers overlooks with views to the waterfalls. Or, to trek all the way to the bottom of the rim, get a permit from the park office. Please note that permits run out early on weekend mornings, so plan accordingly. During the month of November, visit Tallulah Gorge to watch expert kayakers enjoying the bi-annual “whitewater releases.”
Unicoi State Park in Helen
An adventurous zipline will take you high above the forest canopy of Unicoi State Park for one of the most unique views of the fall leaves. Or, for a more strenuous activity, take a steep hike on the 4.8-mile Smith Creek Trail up to Anna Ruby Falls. The park offers visitors a lodge and restaurant, making this a great weekend day trip or extended stay option.
Vogel State Park in Blairsville
The 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail in Vogel State Park, which offers a birds-eye view of the park’s lake, is a great option for experienced hikers. Follow the Lake Loop for an easier hike to a small waterfall below the dam. If you’re looking for a scenic drive with some of the prettiest fall scenery in north Georgia, take the twisting roads around Vogel, particularly Wolf Pen Gap Road.
Safe Hiking Tips
Follow these safe hiking tips from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Rangers for a safe trip to Georgia State Parks:
- Avoid hiking alone.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Remember to let them know when you are back.
- Stay on marked trails. As you hike, pay attention to trail blazes and landmarks. A double blaze indicates a change in trail direction or intersection, so be sure to follow the correct trail.
- Never climb on waterfalls or wet rocks.
- Always carry quality rain gear, and turn back in bad weather.
- Dress in layers and avoid cotton.
- All hikers should carry a whistle (especially children), which can be heard from far away and takes less energy than yelling.
- Carry plenty of drinking water and never assume stream water is safe to drink.
- Don’t count on cell phones to work in the wilderness, but if they do, be able to give details about your location.
- Don’t rely on a GPS to prevent you from getting lost. Batteries can die or the equipment can become damaged or lost.
Georgia State Parks should not be overlooked when mapping out your Fall travel plans. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer some of the most beautiful Fall scenery in the United States. Whether you’re looking for a slow and scenic drive or an adventurous workout, you’ll find it here within Georgia’s natural playgrounds. Want to see more of my fall content? Check out what I did last year in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Smoky Mountains.
28 Comments
I live in Alabama and I’ve been to a few of these, but there are so many I haven’t been too. I’ll have to plan some road trips!
This looks so amazing! National Parks in England are pretty great but they have nothing on the ones in the USA. Definitely on my travel bucket list…
Wow! These places look gorgeous. The views from Black Rock look breathtaking!
Looks like a great place to visit. I’ll definitely go here one day with my family. Will be saving this! Next trip to Georgia,
I have never been there but definitely a great place to go and to reconnect with the nature will definitely share this with my husband.
Wow, that is really a nice park to visit with your family, it so beautiful and I am sure my kids will have a lot of fun in there.
These parks look so beautiful! It’s been a while since I’ve been to Georgia and these are a reminder that I should make a trip soon!
Oh wow! The parks and the waterfalls looks amazing! Camping sounds fun too – what a place for it!
I didn’t know that Georgia had these parks. I had friends that went camping there and I always wondered why. Now I know!
Wow, Georgia looks so beautiful in fall. I would love to visit Georgia, looks gorgeous.
I have never been camping. A lot of people seem to enjoy it. You captured some beautiful pics.
Oh camping is a must! So fun! + roasted marshmallows!
These parks all look absolutely amazing! Now that we live closer to GA, I’d love to visit soon.
I live in the desert so I love traveling to places that have scenery different from what I see every day. This looks absolutely beautiful!
We want to visit Georgia during Thanksgiving holidays. Your pictures helped our decision. It is beautiful.
The colors should start around the first week in November this year. You should have a stunning Thanksgiving here!
Get a cabin in Blue Ridge and explore!
Great list. There’s nothing prettier than the brilliant fall colours. I’m looking forward to the leaves changing here in Nova Scotia.
Oh yes! I bet that’s quite lovely!
These all look stunning. I LOVE everything foliage when it comes to fall. Mother nature’s artwork on full display!
They really are. I grew up in Florida so this is quite the treat for us.
Ooooohhhh I want to visit a state park in the fall, I bet they are so gorgeous! I haven’t been to Georgia but would love to go to any of these.
Oh please come visit!
I had no idea Georgia falls were so gorgeous! I didn’t realize the leaves changed colors that vibrantly!
Yeah it’s quite something. You just have to be in the right spots. A lot of pine here but still pretty hardwoods.
Someday I want to visit all 50 states of the US. Want to do this ASAP and I shall start with Georgia. Love reading travel blogs like yours. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh that would be incredible! Let me know when you do. I have loads of tips!
Omg! Fort mountain is the only one i’m missing and it looks like a dream! Will be adding to next destination thanks so much for putting this together
Oh I’m so glad you liked it! Have fun!