7 Georgia State Parks Perfect For Leaf Peeping This Fall
One of my favorite things about fall (aside from pumpkin spice-flavored everything) is watching the leaves change from vibrant shades of green to golden shades of orange, yellow, and red.
The best time to view fall foliage in the higher elevations of Georgia is mid-October to early November. So, I recommend going leaf-peeping during this timeframe for peak autumn colors.
And if you plan on staying for a while, consider booking a cabin or cottage at the state park you plan to visit. Most have cozy wood-burning fireplaces indoors and fire rings outdoors perfect for toasting marshmallows or making a tasty campfire meal.
Okay, now for the fun part—here are seven Georgia state parks that are perfect for leaf peeping this fall:
1. Tallula Gorge State Park
Tallula Gorge State Park (image credit: georgiastateparks.org)
Tallula Gorge is one of the most spectacular canyons in the southeastern United States. At 2 miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, it has a suspension bridge and hiking trails along the rim that feature lookout spots that offer amazing views of the river, waterfalls, and fall foliage.
Tree species include white, red, and yellow oak, beech, dogwood, and maple.
Official website: https://gastateparks.org/tallulagorge
2. Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park (image credit: georgiastateparks.org)
Cloudland Canyon State Park is a popular destination for leaf peeping. This state park features easy-to-reach overlooks and 64 miles of hiking trails. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest parks in Georgia. In addition to the breathtaking fall foliage, you’ll find thousand-foot-deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland, and plenty of wildlife.
Tree species include oaks, hickories, hemlocks, maples, sour gum, dogwood, and mountain laurel.
Official website: https://gastateparks.org/cloudlandcanyon
3. Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola Falls State Park (image credit: istockphoto.com)
Home to the tallest cascading waterfall in the southeast, Amicalola Falls State Park has plenty of viewpoints, hiking trails, and a lovely mountain-top lodge. Besides the captivating fall foliage, this state park is home to the eight-mile Approach Trail which leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail.
Tree species include mountain laurel, Virginia spiderworts, and rhododendron.
Official website: https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com
4. Black Rock Mountain State Park
Black Rock Mountain State Park (image credit: georgiastateparks.org)
Georgia's highest state park has some of the most outstanding scenery in the north Georgia mountains. Roadside overlooks give way to spectacular 80-mile vistas while four hiking trails lead visitors past colorful wildflowers, winding streams, small waterfalls, and lush forests.
Tree species include white oaks, American chestnuts, rhododendrons, mayapple, and trillium.
Official website: https://gastateparks.org/blackrockmountain
5. Unicoi State Park
Unicoi State Park (image credit: northgeorgialiving.com)
Unicoi State Park is centered around beautiful Lake Unicoi within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Each year, the park hosts a fall festival during the last weekend in October to coincide with Oktoberfest held in the nearby German-inspired town of Helen, Georgia. The festival features hayrides, campfires, crafts, and a campground trunk-or-treat.
Tree species include rhododendrons, mountain laurels, hickory, maple, and hemlocks.
Official website: https://www.unicoilodge.com
6. Fort Mountain State Park
Fort Mountain State Park (image credit: georgiastateparks.org)
Fort Mountain State Park sits at the southwestern end of the Cohutta Mountains near the Cohutta Wilderness. Sitting at 2,850 feet above sea level, Fort Mountain is a great destination for hiking, biking, and weekend getaways. This state park even has 15 gorgeous rental cottages featuring scenic mountain views perfect for autumn leaf peeping.
Tree species include pines, oaks, hardwoods, and blueberry thickets.
Official website: https://gastateparks.org/fortmountain
7. Vogel State Park
Vogel State Park (image credit: georgiastateparks.org)
Vogel State Park sits at the base of Blood Mountain, the highest summit on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, this park has plenty of wonderful leaf-peeping opportunities. For a more immersive experience, you could even rent one of the park’s 34 cottages or reserve a covered picnic shelter.
Tree species include eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, second-growth oak, and hickory.
Official website: https://gastateparks.org/vogel
Take A Scenic Drive
Scenic byways like Georgia Highway 197, Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, and Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway are great options for viewing the fall colors without leaving the comfort of your vehicle (although you’ll probably want to stop along the route to take photos).
And if you happen to make it up to Brasstown Bald (Georgia's highest peak at 4,784 feet above sea level), you’ll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the fall colors across the Blue Ridge Mountains. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Happy leaf-peeping, my friends!
