Nature: Best State Parks in the Southeast for Families

by Robin Greene on June 3rd, 2012 | 1 Comment »

Everyone in my family loves spending time outdoors, whether it is at home, the beach, or the mountains. We especially enjoy visiting state and national parks in the southeastern United States. The fun thing about the parks is you are basically on your own time and can do activities your family enjoys at your own pace. Two of our favorites parks are Amicalola Falls State Park in North Georgia and De Soto State Park in North Alabama.

Amicalola Falls State Park

If you are looking for spectacular scenery, you will find it at Amicalola Falls in North Georgia. We like to go before the weather gets too warm in the heat of summer and before it gets too cold in the winter. Our family enjoys tent camping, but you can certainly rent a cottage or stay in the lodge. Amicalola Falls also has RV campsites and, for the avid hiker or adventurer, they offer the Hike Inn, a five mile hike into the Appalachians leads you to the inn. Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascade in the southeast at 729 feet. You can view the fall from an accessible pathway or a more challenging trail with staircases, either way it is a magnificent sight, especially after a rain.

Things to do around the park are fishing, visiting the playground, picnicking and joining in on any of the activities that are going on in the park throughout the year. Peak leaf viewing season is always very crowded, so you might think about a weekday visit if you plan to visit in the fall.

De Soto State Park

A place of pure beauty is a perfect description for De Soto State Park. The park has so much to offer for an outdoor family. Set up camp on one of the primitive, backcountry tent or RV sites, stay in the De Soto Lodge, or reserve a rustic or log cabin and stay a while. While you visit De Soto State Park, there is plenty to keep your family busy. Hike or bike the beautiful trails of De Soto. Enjoy fishing in Little River and even try your hand at fly fishing for redeye bass. Plan a picnic lunch or cook-out at the picnic area, let the kids play on the playground, have some fun at the volleyball court, then enjoy a swim at the De Soto State Park Olympic size pool located near the picnic area. Wading, swimming and canoeing are also permitted in the Little River at your own risk, of course, as water levels vary through the year. The park also offers nature programs and events throughout the year.

I recommend both of these parks for a wonderful family experience. Have some family fun anytime of the year!

What are your favorite state or national parks to visit with your family?

Robin Greene has taught Kindergarten for over 5 years and is now embarking on a new adventure in her life. She is excited to see the change that comes for herself and her family. When not traveling with her son’s baseball team, she enjoys vacationing with her family and freelance writing for mybabyclothes.com. Unique baby clothes and beautiful tutus are all the rage at baby showers! You can also find little hats to protect those little heads or gorgeous headbands to accentuate any outfit!