Start the New Year with a Healthier You!
New Year’s Resolutions often involve a commitment to losing weight, but those goals sometimes fade when the process isn’t enjoyable. If you aren’t the type to go to the gym each week, find other ways to get exercise that’s both fun and good for you. Our Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge was designed to show how playing outdoors can lead to a healthier heart. Afterall, climbing to the top of a waterfall is more enjoyable than spending an hour on the treadmill.
Below are fitness ideas to get you started during the New Year.
- Hike down and up the staircases in Cloudland Canyon (northwest mountains) and Tallulah Gorge (northeast mountains) state parks.
- Go inline skating on the paved path at Panola Mountain State Park near Stockbridge.
- Explore the new bike trail at Indian Springs State Park near Macon.
- Leash up Fido and go for a walk at Reed Bingham State Park near Adel.
- Go paddling at Stephen C. Foster State Park and look for wildlife in the Okefenokee Swamp.
- Visit Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park near Columbus where you can hike to a lifesize sculpture of the president.
- Rent a “Street Strider” bike at Skidaway Island near Savannah.
Below are just some of the many programs happening at Georgia State Parks in January.
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Growing Up Wild
Thursday, January 10, 17, 24 and 31
Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen
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
COASTAL GEORGIA
Family Nature Quest
Saturday, January 5, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Crooked River State Park – St. Marys
Want to learn about nature as a family? Come to our “fundana” activities each month and learn about a different topic. There will be 12 quests and at each program the family will receive one bandana about the topic. The family that completes the most quests will receive a bonus bandana for the entire family. Register in advance.
$10 per family $5 parking.
(912) 882-5256
Wormsloe’s New Year’s Resolution Run
Saturday, January 5, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah
Wormsloe is partnering with Savannah’s NonStop Fitness for the first-ever 10K trail run through the historic site. Runners will pass through three centuries of history while enjoying some of the best natural scenery on the Georgia coast.
Register at www.active.com or call 912-349-4902.
$35 through Active.com.
(912) 349-4902.
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
Atlanta Audubon Beginners Bird Walk
Saturday, January 5, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge
This field trip is designed for anyone interested in learning more about birds, habitats critical to some species, and organizations like the Audubon Society, which are dedicated to bird conservation. Meet at the Park Office/Trading Post.
$5 parking.
(706) 557-3001
High Falls Historic Walk
Saturday, January 5, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
High Falls State Park – Jackson
Join our naturalist on a 1.5-mile walk and learn about the history of the once-prosperous town of High Falls. Hike also includes a rare chance to tour inside the old powerhouse building, which provides great photo opportunities of the Towaliga River. Please wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Visitor Center.
$5 plus $5 parking.
(478) 993-3053
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
Sun Over Panola Mountain
Saturday, January 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Have you ever wondered what the sun looks like up close? Take a look at the Earth’s closest star. Using special telescopes that are safe for your eyes, you will be able to see the sun’s surface and the fusion of hydrogen on the sun. Join us for some super solar system fun. We will meet at the Nature Center.
$5 parking
(770) 389-7801
Atlanta Audubon Society Bird Walk
Sunday, January 6, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Bring your binoculars for this gentle hike through the park’s Power of Flight area. Basic identification techniques and common birds will be discussed. Good for all ages. We recommend long pants and sleeves. Meet at the Alexander Lake Area. Register in advance. Donations of birdseed are appreciated.
$5 parking.
(770) 389-7801
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
Check GeorgiaStateParks.org/events for a full calendar.
