No Admission or Parking Fees Charged Today at State Parks and Historic Sites, including Winder's Fort Yargo

Visitors to Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites today will not pay for parking or admission, as part of National Public Lands Day.

Sponsored by the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, the celebration is intended to bring attention to ways that parks enrich communities and the importance of local volunteerism. Parking is normally $5 at state parks, and admission ranges from $2.50 to $10 at state historic sites.

Barrow County residents are invited to join REI, Friends of Georgia State Parks and the Yargo Area Biking Association from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder to help improve the mountain biking and hiking trails.

Volunteers should bring water and work gloves and wear long pants and sturdy footwear. Bring a change of clothes for after the project along with your mountain bike or boat to enjoy the trails and lake. Snacks and refreshments will be available. Register first thing this morning with REI at www.rei.com/event/43332/session/55844 or by calling 404-656-6533. As of 10 p.m. Friday, 67 spots were still available for volunteers.

Want to get out of Barrow County for the day? Check out these locations for a possible day trip. 

Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Ga. — About an hour's drive 50 miles from Barrow County

According to ExploreGeorgia.org, this is a great family destination for the adventure-set — at 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Plan to spend the day hiking the many trails, ranging from short journeys to an 8-mile approach trail that will lead you to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.

Indian Springs in Flovilla, Ga. — Less than an hour-and-a-half drive about 65 miles from Barrow County

Thought to be the oldest state park in the nation, Indian Springs is, according to ExploreGeorgia.org, an experience you and your family won't want to miss. The springs in the park were used by Creek Indians for centuries to heal the sick and keep the well healthy. Today, visitors can still sample the spring water. Activities include swimming, fishing and boating, a museum and miniature golf. 

Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Ga. — A little more than a 3-hour drive about 200 miles from Barrow County

Experience the breathtaking colors of Georgia’s Providence Canyon, also known as Little Grand Canyon, where the soil creates a natural painting at this unique park. Visitors can enjoys views of the canyon from the rim trail. In Lumpkin, visitors will also find Historic Westville, an outdoor living-history museum that depicts an 1850 west Georgia village.

General Coffee State Park in Nicholls, Ga. — A 4-and-a-half hour drive about 220 miles from Barrow County 

For an educational family trip, ExploreGeorgia.org suggests visiting this Georgia gem, which is known for it agricultural history at Heritage Farm, featuring log cabins, a corn crib, a tobacco barn, a cane mill, barnyard animals and much more. Visitors can also see many rare and endangered plants and animals, including the indigo snake and gopher tortoise.

Visit www.gastateparks.org for a complete list of state parks and historic sites. 

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