Spend Mother’s Day with Mother Nature

Good memories are usually the best gift of all. Mother’s Day is May 11, so why not spend the day with Mom while enjoying Mother Nature? Georgia’s State Parks provide plenty of places where families can enjoy being together, soaking up springtime scenery. Below are five ideas for a Mother’s Day that will make moms and grandmas smile for months to come.

 
1)    Take a Wildlife Walk
Birds, blooms and butterflies are sure to make Mom happy when you sign up for a guided nature hike.  On Saturday, May 10, Tugaloo State Park is hosting a bird walk and Panola Mountain State Park will lead a moonlit hike to the mountain.  On both Saturday and Sunday, Cloudland Canyon will take Mom on guided treks to Hemlock Falls. A calendar of more events is listed at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/events.
 
2)    Picnic in the Park
Give Mom a day off from cooking by packing a picnic basket with her favorite goodies.  All of Georgia’s State Parks have picnic tables with beautiful views of forests, lakes or mountains. Large families can reserve open-air shelters or enclosed group shelters with barbecue grills. Find a picnic spot near you at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/map. 
 
3)    Brunch with a View
If restaurants are more Mom’s style, visit a state park lodge where diners are treated to bountiful meals.  Afterward, you can walk off that banana pudding with a walk in the woods.  Dining rooms are found at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Unicoi State Park in Helen, Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae and George T. Bagby State Park on Lake Walter F. George.  Restaurant locations are listed at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/lodges.
 
4)    Go “Glamping”
Moms who enjoy camping will love being treated to “glamour camping.”  Several Georgia State Parks offer yurts – a cross between a tent and a cabin – for just $70 to $80 per night.  New yurts at Tugaloo State Park have beautiful views of Lake Hartwell, and those at Cloudland Canyon State Park are just steps from outstanding hiking trails.  Let Dad fire up the grill and treat Mom to dinner too.  View yurts at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/yurts.
 
5)    Gift Cards & Passes
If you can’t resist wrapping something, consider a gift card, annual pass or membership to Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.  Gift cards will be available by May 1 and can be used on cabins, yurts, campsites, retail items and many outdoor activities.  Annual passes provide free parking or historic site admission, and Friends membership provides an Annual ParkPass and variety of discounts.  Find details at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org and www.FriendsofGaStateParks.org.
 
 
Georgia has more than 60 State Parks and Historic Sites, offering overnight accommodations, museums and a wide range of outdoor recreation.  Smaller children can burn off energy on playgrounds and with pedal boats, while older kids can enjoy geocaching, mini-golf and disc golf.  Families can also enjoy fishing, boat rental, swimming, biking and many other activities.  
To learn more, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.
 
 
-END-