6 Epic National Parks In Georgia

By Author: Rodney Cook Peace Park
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Georgia is rich in scenic beauty and landscape, as well as historical landmarks and exhibits. Much of Georgia's natural beauty and history can be found in the protected areas of the state's national parks and historic parks in Georgia. This historically rich state of the South is home to eleven national parks, areas, and sites. Some of these parks and historical sites are reviewed below, organized by state region.
The peach state is brimming with historical and state parks. In this area, Camp Sumter and other locations, you can learn more about Native American history. Don't miss out on visiting the visitor centers to learn more about each of these parks and the local history.

Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville NHS is about 55 miles southwest of Macon in southwestern Georgia. The park is open all year and includes tours of a historic prison, the National Prisoner of War Museum, and the National Cemetery.
During the Civil War, the Confederacy established Camp Sumter as a prison for captured Union soldiers. The prison was also known as Andersonville Prison, after a nearby town.

The ...
... prison was notorious for the deplorable conditions that inmates endured. By the end of the Civil War, nearly 13,000 men had died as a result of the conditions.
More than 32,000 prisoners were held at Andersonville Prison in August 1864. They endured malnutrition, disease, and the oppressive heat of a Georgia summer.

Andersonville National Cemetery began as a burial ground for Camp Sumter inmates. It later became a resting place for veterans of the United States military.

Andersonville National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries managed by the National Park Service rather than the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Prisoner of War Museum first opened its doors in 1998. The museum is dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of American POWs.
A visit to Andersonville National Historic Site is likely to be solemn and educational, leaving you with a sense of admiration for the great men who served our country. The National Prison of War Museum and the Andersonville National Cemetery are both located on this site.
The site also safeguards the grounds of the former Andersonville Prison, which was one of the largest military prisons during the Civil War. If we are being honest, this visitor center is a little intense. Even the Junior Ranger program takes you through some deeply moving and heartbreaking stories. Prepare to be moved when visiting this historic site.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Within Georgia, the Appalachian NST travels 78 miles. The elevation of the trail ranges from 2,510 feet to 4,461 feet.
Springer Mountain, Georgia, is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which extends 2,146 miles to Maine. Many outdoor enthusiasts dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Exploring this trail, whether for months or on weekend trips, is a great way to spend time outside.
It's fascinating to learn that nearly half of Georgia's Appalachian Trail runs through federally designated wilderness.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is located in Northern Georgia, just north of Atlanta. The park spans 48 river miles and is open all year. The park provides boating, hiking, fishing, and relaxing areas.
The park visitor station is located in the park's Island Ford Unit. The park is divided into several units. If you intend to spend time on the water, keep an eye on the water levels and any water released from the dam.

Chickamauga And Chattanooga National Military Park
The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, another Georgia state historic sites, located in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, is a historic playground for history buffs visiting Georgia.

Many Civil War monuments and exhibits can be found in the park. Visit the Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain Battlefields while you're in the area.
Prepare to spend at least a few hours exploring these military parks. Hundreds of monuments and battlefield sites tell the story of what happened here. On a clear day, the view from Lookout Mountain across the Tennessee-Georgia state line down to the Tennessee River is breathtaking.
In 1895, Chickamauga and Chattanooga became the first officially designated National Military Parks in the United States.

Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island, located in St. Mary's, Georgia, is the state's largest barrier island. Explore the ruins of the island's early wealthy settlers in this almost completely untouched area. Enjoy pristine, unspoiled beaches and catch a glimpse of the island's wild horses. This Georgia treasure is well worth the trip down the coast.

Learn about Georgia's fate in 1742, when Spanish and British forces clashed on St. Simons Island.

To get to Cumberland Island, take a ferry from the mall town of St. Marys, Georgia. Off the island, the park visitor center is located.

Fort Frederica National Monument
Fort Frederica is about 75 miles south of Savannah in southeastern Georgia. The park is open all year and includes an archaeological site as well as a museum.

The British colony of Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe, who named a fortified town Frederick after the Prince of Wales. The goal was to protect the colony's southern border.
In 1742, Fort Frederica troops defeated the Spanish on St. Simon's Island, allowing Georgia to remain a British colony. This battle effectively ended the Spanish hope of expanding north along the Atlantic Coast.

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