Secret Treasure Map for Fall Foliage



Fall Foliage — Photograph by Robert Sutherland

Think of “Leaf Watch 2012” as a secret map that will lead you to bountiful treasures of fall foliage — without having to wear an eye patch, drink too much grog, walk on a wooden leg, get parrot poop all over your clothes or engage in nasty swordfights in scurvy waterfront dives.

OK, I lied.  This new website isn’t a secret.

It’s the work of our mateys at Georgia’s State Parks and has the latest information on where the leaves are the prettiest.

This information helps two groups of people:

•  Those who want to drive directly to where the leaves are at their peak.

•  Those who want to avoid roads clogged by people going to see leaves at their peak.

 

Leaf Watch lets you know:

  • The best state parks for leaf peeping
  • Safe hiking tips
  • Fall events from Craft Fairs to Snakes Alive presentations
  • Why leaves change [Hint: It is not peer pressure.]
  • Last-minute availability for cabins, yurts, campsites and lodge rooms in the state parks.

Sorry, the website does not define the word “yurt” but I’m thinking it’s a cross between a yak and a turtle.

Save time and save gas by taking advantage of Leaf Watch 2012 to track changing leaves and plan autumn getaways.

Click Here for Leaf Watch!

Here are Georgia’s Top Ten State Parks for Leaf Watching

  • Amicalola Falls
  • Black Rock Mountain
  • Cloudland Canyon
  • Fort Mountain
  • Moccasin Creek
  • James H. Sloppy Floyd
  • Smithgall Woods
  • Tallulah Gorge
  • Unicoi and
  • Vogel.

Georgia has nearly 50 state parks, providing affordable “staycations” to residents and a not-so-far-away mountain escapes for Floridians. Park rangers advise guests to make reservations as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for the most sought-after cabins to be reserved 13 months in advance, and many campgrounds fill up early on pretty weekends.

Reservations