Georgia mountains not the only place to see color this fall at state parks
Even south Georgia’s flatlands have autumn splendor
By Jim Hendricks
ALBANY — When autumn brings color to the landscape, many in Southwest Georgia think about a drive of four hours or more to mountain areas to get a gander of brilliant scarlet, gold and orange.
When mid-October hits, leaf peepers hit the roads headed to northern Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. Many go to state parks, especially popular ones like Vogtle, Amicalola Falls and Tallulah Gorge.
But there are some closer choices, especially when it comes to state parks.
“We actually get some pretty color down in south Georgia,” Kim Hatcher, with the Department of Natural Resources, said in recent interview. “I’ve seen beautiful photos from Georgia Veterans (at Cordele) and George L. Smith parks and those cypress trees when they turn orange.”
While the more mountainous areas have an inherit advantage for the viewing compared to the flat-lands of South Georgia, the colors can be just as vibrant, though they reach peak beauty later in the season than in the northern region of the state, often well into November.
You can keep with the color “flow” of the fall season a number of ways, including DNR’s Leaf Watch, which is located online at gastateparks.org/leafwatch. DNR officials also are asking rangers and those who visit Georgia state parks to post photos to DNR’s Facebook page to give others real-time updates on the foliage.
On Sunday, The Albany Herald listed the top 10 viewing spots among Georgia’s state parks. These are five that are closer to the Albany area.
VETERANS STATE
Located about 35 miles north of Albany near Cordele, Georgia Veterans State Park & Resort was established as a memorial to U.S. veterans. It features a museum with aircraft (including a Boeing B-29A), armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, medals and other items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. An 18-hole golf course and pro shop, along with 8,700-acre Lake Blackshear. The SAM Shortline Excursion Train makes regularly scheduled runs from the park. Websites: GeorgiaStateParks.org/GeorgiaVeterans and GeorgiaStateParks.org/SamShortline
REED BINGHAM
Located about 55 miles southeast of Albany at 542 Reed Bingham Road at Adel, Reed Bingham State Park is better known for the so-called buzzards that nest there every winter — actually black vultures and turkey vultures. But around its 375-acre lake is some of the state’s most diverse vegetation and, in the fall, some surprisingly vibrant color. Website: GeorgiaStateParks.org/ReedBingham
PROVIDENCE CANYON
About 70 miles northwest of Albany, Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” located seven miles west of the community of Lumpkin on Highway 39C. Three miles of trails and another seven miles of backpacking trails take hikers through the canyon that was created from what was essentially bad farming practices. The erosion created massive gullies as deep as 150 feet. Home to the rare plumleaf azalea that blooms in July and August, the canyon has its own unique color year round with soil tinted with pink, orange, red and purple. Changing leaves add to the mix in the fall.
Providence also represents a way for hikers to step one-quarter of the way toward earning a unique commemorative t-shirt.
“We have a Canyon Climbers Club,” Hatcher said. “You buy a membership card for $10 and there are four participating parks. You have to hike down into Cloudland, up the staircase at Amicalola, down into Tallulah and then into Providence Canyon. You get your membership card punched after each hike and then you send it in and there’s a t-shirt you get. You can’t buy it, you have to earn it. We have a handful of clubs, but that’s the most popular one.” Website: GeorgiaStateParks.org/ProvidenceCanyon
F.D. ROOSEVELT
Located at Pine Mountain about 115 miles northwest of Albany, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park also made the top 10 list of state parks for fall color. It has hardwood forests and rolling mountains. The 6.7-mile Wolf Den Loop is a favorite section of the longer Pine Mountain Trail. Drive to Dowdell’s Knob to see a life-size bronze sculpture of President F.D. Roosevelt and views of the forested valley. Georgia Highway 190 is a pretty driving route. Website: GeorgiaStateParks.org/FDRoosevelt
HIGH FALLS
The furthest of the parks on this list from Albany at 133 miles, High Falls State Park at Jackson is named for tumbling cascades on the Towaliga River. Camping on riverbanks is often avoided during the summer, but in fall when the temperatures cool down and the leaves change colors paddle-in camping is popular, including to a secluded peninsula in High Falls Lake, about 30 minutes from the shores of the park. The campsite can sleep up to 25 people and the camping reservation includes the rental of five canoes. The park’s 650-acre lake is perfect to rent SUP paddleboards, kayaks or canoes. Website: GeorgiaStateParks.org/HighFalls
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