For outdoorsy dads, fresh air and adventure are often the best gifts of all. With Father’s Day just around the corner on June 20, Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites offer some memory-making getaways.
Here are the top five on our list of Father’s Day Trippin’ ideas (with an honorable mention thrown in at the end:
Go Fish
Georgia State Parks offer some of the best fly fishing, bass fishing, and trout fishing in the country. Did you know one of the largest bass ever caught in the world was caught right here in Georgia? Many bass fishermen equate “The Bass Capital of the World” with our own Lake Walter F. George. In fact, the size and variety of fish are rivaled only by the varieties of unspoiled environments. From reservoirs, warm water streams, and rivers, to lakes of all sizes and saltwater fishing, the abundant waters found in Georgia State Parks make for a great Father’s Day (or any day) outing. Some parks have even created programs that allow you to borrow equipment for little or no charge.
- Lake Allatoona – Red Top Mountain
Spotted bass, hybrid bass, striped bass & crappie - Lake Blackshear – Georgia Veterans
Largemouth bass, white and black crappie, bream, hybrid striped bass & channel catfish - Lake Burton – Moccasin Creek
Spotted bass, largemouth bass & brown trout - Clarks Hill Lake – Elijah Clark | Mistletoe
Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappie, hybrid striped bass & catfish - Lake Hartwell – Hart | Tugaloo
Largemouth bass, spotted bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass & crappie - High Falls Lake – High Falls
Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish & striped bass - Lake Lanier – Don Carter
Spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, black crappie & walleye - Lake Richard B. Russell – Richard B. Russell
Largemouth bass, spotted bass, black crappie & striped bass - Lake Seminole – Seminole
Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, black crappie & channel catfish - Lake Walter F. George – George T. Bagby
Largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish & hybrid bass
Learn more about fishing locations and programs at GaStateParks.org/ParkFishing.
Go “Glamping”
If Dad enjoys camping, spoil him with a “glamping” adventure in a yurt. These unusual accommodations can be found at Cloudland Canyon, Red Top Mountain, High Falls, Fort Yargo, Tugaloo, and Sweetwater Creek state parks. The whole family will sleep soundly on futons and bunk beds after an evening of s’mores and campfire stories. Yurts come with picnic tables and grills outside, private porches, and centrally located bathhouses.
Reserve yurts at GaStateParks.org/reservations.
Kick Back in a Cabin
The best part of staying overnight in a park is having boating, fishing, hiking, geocaching, and more right outside your door. Cabins come in a range of prices, sizes and styles, so it’s easy to find the perfect getaway for your family. Check out the newly renovated cabins at Red Top Mountain, lakeside cabins at Seminole, or forest getaways at Chattahoochee Bend. Dad can enjoy morning coffee on the porch, then fire up the grill later in the day.
Make reservations at GaStateParks.org/reservations.
Tee Off
Treat Dad to a day on the links at Georgia’s State Park Golf Courses, all with affordable green fees, pro shops, and overnight packages. The annual Golf Pass is just $35 and comes with a variety of discounts, including 15% to 25% off green fees and 10% off accommodations.
Learn about the eight courses on GaStateParks.org/golfing.
Picnic in the Park
Give your father a day off from the grill by packing a picnic of his favorite goodies. All of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites have picnic tables with beautiful views of forests, lakes or mountains. Larger families can reserve covered shelters for an all-day potluck. Throughout the day, everyone can go fishing, swimming, hiking, or exploring Georgia’s past.
Find a picnic spot at GaStateParks.org/map.
Souvenirs, Gift Cards & Passes
Honorable Mention: Can’t squeeze in a day trip or weekend getaway on Father’s Day? Then outfit Dad with what he needs for future outings. Hiking stick medallions, backpack patches, hats, mugs, and more gifts are now available for purchase on GaStateParks.org. If you can’t decide what he would like best, consider a gift card, annual ParkPass, or membership to Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Gift cards can be used on camping, kayak rental, bike rental, golf, historic site admission, and other outdoor activities. Annual passes provide free parking at more than 40 state parks, and Friends membership provides an annual parking pass plus additional discounts.
More details at GaStateParks.org and www.FriendsofGaStateParks.org.
