National Trails Day events
Kaleidoscope
What: Fishing rodeo, conservation programs
When: Saturday-Sunday
Where: Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Road, Dawsonville
How much: $5 parking
Contact: 706-265-1969
Hiking in Helen
What: Guided three-mile hikes; bring lunch
When: Saturdays through June 27
Where: Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen
How much: $5 parking
Contact: 800-573-9659 ext. 305; register in advance
Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
What: Night hike
When: 9:15-11:15 p.m. Monday
Where: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls
How much: $4 parking
Contact: 706-754-7981; register in advance
Prices are up at state parks, but for a full day of entertainment, $5 parking is still a nice deal. Plus, the money goes to support the parks.
And if you haven’t been out hiking lately, now’s your chance.
National Trails Day is Saturday, and events are planned at parks throughout the state and country, including parks in Dawsonville, Helen and Tallulah Falls.
“People have lost their connection to nature and lost their connection to getting outside so often,” said Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator with Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. “People spend so much time in front of a computer, especially kids, that I think it’s a great excuse to get people outside to get that connection again.”
Hatcher added that hiking or volunteering at state parks is also something that families can do together to get exercise or simply spend quiet time together talking and exploring nature.
“We’re just trying to tell people, ‘Get off the couch. Get into the great outdoors.’ And this is a really good excuse for doing it,” she said.