Give the Gift of Nature at Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
Outdoor escapades, breathtaking views, endless exhilarating family activities and long-lasting memories await the adventurer with a gift from Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites this holiday season. Give the gift of nature with the help of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites and watch a simple present turn into an unforgettable experience. Explore the outdoors amongst family, friends and fellow nature lovers with these five gift ideas that will guarantee an exciting time for all in Georgia’s great outdoors.
5 Gift Ideas for The Family Explorer
- Gift Cards – Take the stress out of holiday shopping and slip a Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites gift card into a stocking or card. These convenient cards come in any denomination starting at $5 and can be purchased at most Georgia State Park offices, online at GaStateParks.org/GiftCards or simply by calling 1-800-434-0982. Lucky for the receiver, these cards can be used at campsites, on cabins, yurts, golf greens fees, retail shops, picnic shelters, historic sites, boat rentals, as well as numerous outdoor activities. With no shortage of possibilities, gift cards are the perfect solution to the gift giving conundrum.
- Weekend Getaways – Make experiencing nature easy and enjoyable for the whole family and reserve a weekend stay at a state park. One unique choice is General Coffee State Park, which is known as one of southern Georgia’s best kept secrets. Here, guest can choose from several overnight accommodations including cottages, campsites or a beautiful 19th-century cabin, the Burnham House. Located in south Georgia and tucked away in a gorgeous wiregrass community, this retreat guarantees relaxation for the entire family. General Coffee State Park offers the chance for children to see farm animals in its Heritage Farm. Reservations for this getaway can be made at GaStateParks.org/GeneralCoffee. Additional Georgia State Parks offer “glamping” yurts, campsites and cottages as well. Reservations can be made at, GaStateParks.org/Reservations.
- Annual ParkPasses – With more than 60 properties throughout Georgia from mountains and waterfalls to marshes and swamps, there are a number of ways to treat family or friends to a year of outdoor fun, long after the seasons change. Annual ParkPasses are $50 and help to fund renovations and trail work for future visitors. Half-off ParkPass discounts are available for seniors 62 and older, as well as 25% off for active duty military and veterans. To buy an Annual ParkPass, visit any Georgia State Park or GaStateParks.org/ThingsToKnow.
- Unique Experiences – Georgia’s state parks offer visitors a variety of unique activities in several locations, making the great outdoors the perfect backdrop for explorers and adventurers of any skill level. Here are a few out-of-the-box experiences for creative gift ideas this holiday season:
- Park Paddlers Club – For the water lover, Georgia’s Park Paddlers Club offers 22 miles of paddling fun. Membership is $10 to join the Georgia’s Park Paddlers Club and can be purchased online or at one of the six participating parks. After finishing, members earn bragging rights and a t-shirt. This club is perfect for novice and experienced paddlers. Everyone on board must know how to swim and must wear a flotation device. More information can be found at, GaStateParks.org/ParkPaddlersClub.
- Tree Climbers Welcome – At Panola Mountain State Park, conquer new heights with a guided tree climb up a 200-year-old Southern Red Oak. Events occur throughout spring, summer and fall and are $15 per person. More information can be found at GaStateParks.org/PanolaMountain/Excursions.
- Become an Archer –Target practice with dinosaurs and other static and 3-D archery courses are offered at nine state parks. Visitors can either practice on their own or join ranger-led archery classes. More information and a list of participating parks can be found at GaStateParks.org/Archery.
- Tails on Trails – Get outside with a gift for the whole family, including the members with four legs. Tails on Trails is a dog walking club that challenges guests and their pets to complete seven trails at Georgia State Parks. To join, stop into one of the participating parks and purchase a $15 membership card or buy a card online at, GaStateParks.com/TailsOnTrailsClub. After completing each trail, member’s cards are punched by park rangers. Finish them all and earn bragging rights, a t-shirt for yourself and a bandana for Fido. Enjoy all that nature has to offer with man’s best friend this holiday season.
Insider Tip: Looking for a gag gift to get a laugh? Forget coal and throw in a bag of cricket chips or a scorpion lollipop, both sure to get a reaction. These quirky gifts are available inside visitor’s centers around the state parks and make for a unique white elephant gift.
About Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites:
Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites are affordable destinations for vacations and quick getaways. Waterfalls and lakes, salt marsh and mountains are just some of the beautiful environments of the state parks. Georgia State Park Golf Courses offer the best variety and value around. With eight golf courses to choose from, each feature natural settings and picturesque surroundings, as well as fun and challenging play. Most state parks offer fishing, boating, hiking, camping, geocaching, birding and more. Accommodations include campsites, cabins, lodges, even yurts, and vary by park. Among the Georgia State Historic Sites are presidential homes, ancient Indian mounds, battlefields, plantations and even a gold museum. Georgia’s public libraries have ParkPasses and Historic Site Passes that can be checked out like a book. More information can be found at GaStateParks.org.
