Those that love and embrace the arrival of fall won’t have to wait anxiously much longer! In just a few days, “Leaf Watch” will begin in Georgia, signaling the change in season. Only Mother Nature knows when the leaves will change colors, but the most vibrant is usually the end of October into early November. Enjoy fall while it is here because the frigid winter temperatures will be here before long!

In order to help those that love nature better track the progress of leaf color change, Georgia’s State Parks unveiled an online “Leaf Watch” travel planner, available on its website. Starting in early October, the site will be regularly updated with the progression of color changes along Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition to the leaf color changes, the site will include information on popular trails, picturesque locations to explore, mountain cabins for rent, campsites to visit and more fun fall activities. For an added bit of fun, those who love taking photos and are social media savvy are encouraged to post their beautiful fall photos to Georgia’s State Parks Instagram page.

The most popular state park recommended for fall foliage is Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville. The cascading waterfall is the tallest in the state of Georgia and is just an hour north of Atlanta. Walk upon a boardwalk and look up at the waterfall or take the steep staircase to the top for even more amazing views. This pet-friendly state park offers many diverse trail options with the most popular one being the 8.5-mile Approach Trail that runs from the park to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. There are many accommodations available for visitors to view the ever-changing fall leaves throughout the fall season including cabins, campgrounds, ADA accommodations and group events.

Cloudland Canyon State Park near Chattanooga is located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. It’s one of the largest and most scenic state parks in Georgia. Home to caves, sandstone cliffs, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife and thousand-foot-deep canyons, there is more to see than just the beautiful fall foliage!

Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth is a hidden gem perfect for those avoiding large crowds to view the dazzling palette of fall. This state park is located on Lake Allatoona and offers more than 15 miles of trails that wind through the park and give beautiful views of the autumn forest.

Georgia is a state full of natural beauty and recreational fun. Some more popular sites to visit for leaf watching include Black Rock Mountain, Fort Mountain,  Sweetwater Creek and many more magnificent and naturally occurring mountains and local parks. Those who would like a little more time to relish in the natural beauty of fall may want to check into reserving one of the cabins, campsites or yurts available to nature goers.

Check out the “Leaf Watch” website and visit Georgia’s many state parks. Use the hashtags #GaLeafWatch and #GaStateParks on your social media to be featured on one of the parks’ social media pages!