It’s officially fall, y’all! Pretty soon, Towne Lake will be surrounded with beautiful fall color. Looking to get away and enjoy some of the best areas in Georgia to view the fall foliage? Here’s some of the best state parks for fall color, courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 
Amicalola Falls – Just up 575 is Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville. A mere one and a half hours north of Atlanta will put your hiking boots at the base of Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi. Nature cascades down mountainsides into trout-stocked ponds and trails weave their way through towering forests. The trailhead of the Appalachian Trail taunts hikers with a 2,000 mile soul-searching journey to Maine.
Fort Mountain – Fort Mountain State Park is located in Chatsworth and offers miles of hiding and backpacking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Hikers can also explore a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and an ancient rock wall which stand on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies.
Unicoi – Just outside Helen, Unicoi is one of Georgia’s most beloved state parks. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking and mountain biking on scenic mountain trails, including an easy lake loop, challenging trek to Anna Ruby Falls, pretty three-mile trail to downtown Helen and rugged 7.5-mile singletrack for bikers. During the month of October, visitors can enjoy a ranger-led hike on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. This hike is a moderate 3-mile hike on our Unicoi/Helen trail and a shuttle will transport hikers back to the lodge after the hike is over.
Vogel – Vogel is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Driving from the south, visitors pass through Neel Gap, a beautiful mountain pass near Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. Vogel is particularly popular during the fall when the Blue Ridge Mountains transform into a rolling blanket of red, yellow and gold leaves. Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, including the popular 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, an easy lake loop that leads to Trahlyta Falls, and the challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail.
Where’s your favorite spot to view fall foliage? Share with us in a comment below!
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