Let the record show that I feel so strongly about you getting a Georgia State Park annual pass that I am taking the time to write this while I am at a Georgia State Park. George L. Smith State Park, to be exact – one of our favorite parks we’ve been to yet! Georgia State parks cover over 84,000 acres of the state, which allows for seemingly unlimited exploration! Read on to find out why you need a Georgia State Park annual pass.
WHAT YOU PROBABLY DON’T KNOW ABOUT GEORGIA STATE PARKS
There are almost 50 Georgia State Parks spread out across every area in the state, which makes them truly accessible no matter where you come from! Just from Atlanta, there are several parks that are within just a few hours drive and make an easy day trip!
Each Georgia State Park has a Daily Pass fee of $5.00 per vehicle. If you visit one a month for the year – you’ve more than paid for your pass! Or if you’re not currently a resident and are looking to road trip around the area, you could visit multiple parks within two weeks and make the pass well worth it! The annual pass costs $50.00, good for one year from the purchase month.
The variety of landscapes of these parks are what makes the Georgia Park State Park annual pass so valuable. There are mountains, canyons, waterfalls, swamps and so much more.
CAN YOU CAMP AT GEORGIA STATE PARKS?
Many of the Georgia State Parks have several options for overnight stays which is a great way to fully enjoy all the amenities of the state parks. A day trip can give you time to do a hike or kayak through a cypress tree swamp, but staying overnight means you can experience sunrises, sunsets, and stargazing. Since we are currently living out of our converted campervan, we opted for RV campsites with electrical and water hook-ups. There are currently 42 Georgia State Parks that offer different kinds of campsites – including paddle-in sites!
For those who are looking for something a little more adventurous, there are 14 primitive backcountry campsites that require obtaining permits ahead of time. And of course for those who prefer a little bit more comfort, there are cabins, cottages, as well as 6 parks where you can reserve a yurt!
All of these options require reservations in advance, but many if not all can be reserved on gastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
WHERE CAN YOU GET A GEORGIA STATE PARK PASS?
We are so glad you asked! There are several options for you to get your hands on a park pass, even a free one if you are a Georgia public library cardholder!
Online. This is no surprise as you can get just about everything online these days, but it is incredibly helpful that Georgia State Parks have so much access and information available online! Ordering online is great for if you’re planning way ahead and can wait the 7-10 days for shipping and can have it in-hand prior to your first visit to a park. However, this isn’t a great option for those in the nomadic community as there isn’t always a permanent address to have it shipped to, or just requires a little additional planning on your part.
Visitor Center. Park passes can also be purchased at any of the state park visitor centers. The benefit of purchasing at the park is that in the Visitor Center you will get to talk directly with one of the park employees. These are the most knowledgeable people there when it comes to Georgia State Parks! They can recommend hiking trails, campsites, and so much more. You’ll also leave with pass-in-hand, along with a Georgia State Park map and directory, as well as map for the park you’re currently visiting.
Library Loan Program. If you’re having a tough year and don’t think you can swing the cost of an annual pass (or a daily pass for that matter), Georgia offers a Library Loan Program! Georgians with a public library card can check out a park pass which exempts them from paying the fee! After all, these state parks are public and should be accessible to all.
Discounts. Senior and Military discounts are available for Georgia State Park annual passes. To receive these discounts the pass must be purchased in person with proper I.D. To learn more and find out if you qualify, click here.
WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN YOU DO AT GEORGIA STATE PARKS?
RENTALS
If you don’t live in Georgia and are coming from out of state, or visiting a park across the state, it can be difficult and cumbersome to travel with all of your adventure gear. Depending on the park and the terrain, you will find rentals available. Rentals such as bicycles, kayaks/canoes, stand-up paddle boards, even boats for fishing.
HIKING
If you’re looking for an activity that doesn’t require equipment, there are plenty of hiking trails for you! There are trails of every distance and difficulty level. From backcountry to paved strolls, there is something for everyone, including accessible trails. We recommend using All Trails to find the Georgia State Park hike that matches what you’re looking for. You can also use All Trails to determine if the trail is pet-friendly.
AND MORE!
In addition, Georgia State Parks have a variety of unique activities! There are archery ranges, geocaching, and birding. State Parks are great places for group gatherings like weddings or reunions. And there is a Junior Ranger program for the kids!
TIPS FOR VISITING GEORGIA STATE PARKS
Check the hours before visiting! We have run into closed gates more often that I care to admit. We love to be in parks for sunrise and/or sunset. But that is not always feasible if the park hours are from 9am-5pm. So unless you’re camping on the grounds, don’t plan on being on a trail or at a lookout point to watch the sun come up.
Make reservations ahead of time! As the weather gets warmer, Georgia State Parks get more crowded. Hence, many parks become so crowded on certain days that rangers must limit entry. If you plan ahead and reserve your day and/or accommodations – you’ll be ahead of everyone else! Also, certain activities/rentals are only available on particular days of the week. Be sure to plan around what activities you’re planning to do.
Arrive early! As we mention in the previous tip, visit Georgia State to beat the crowds! This means full parking lots, busy trails, and many people at all the popular lookouts and spots. Arriving early gives a better chance of having peace and quiet to enjoy the surroundings. Sometimes have them all to yourself! And some parks will also limit visitors if too many enter the parks, and you don’t want to spend your day waiting for someone to leave so you can enter.
Watch the weather! Georgians will all tell you that the weather changes rapidly and drastically, with little to no warning. Obviously, this is troublesome when you get stuck out on a trail in hot sun without water. Or admiring a waterfall if there’s a flood warning. Also, roads can be shut down due to ice or visibility, trails can be closed due to similar reasons. It’s always important to keep an eye on the weather for the week and day you’re planning to visit a Georgia state park! This will keep you safe and allow you to prepare best to enjoy your adventure.
WHY YOU NEED A GEORGIA STATE PARK ANNUAL PASS
As you can see, there are MANY reasons that you need a Georgia State Park Annual Pass! The amount of waterfalls alone are worth the cost! With so many activities and views that go on and on — there’s no reason not to get a Georgia State Park Annual Pass!
Tell us your favorite Georgia State Park in the comments below!
Also, looking for more North American travel inspiration? Head over to our North America page!
