Enjoy More Family Time Exploring Georgia’s National State Parks During National Park Week and Free Admission Days
While Georgia has more than 60 state parks and Heritage sites across the state, it is also home to 11 national parks that feature incredible scenery from the mountains to the seashore and history that explores Georgia’s prehistoric American Indian sites to the civil rights movement. Georgia’s National Parks are state treasures that offer families outings that encourage physical activity, insights into important events in our state and nation’s history, time to decompress in nature, and piques children’s curiosity while allowing them room to explore, ask questions and often participate in activities happening in the parks.
The other major perk in visiting more of Georgia’s parks, both national and state supported, is that it means your children will be spending less time in front of screens. That’s a good thing! Studies have connected screen time usage by children with higher rates of obesity, depression, hyperactivity, and now, with less meaningful face-to-face connectivity with adults. A recent longitudinal study found that in almost all ages, screen time decreased conversation between a child and adults resulting in learning fewer adult words. This is extremely important information as it relates to language development in very young children.
Plan Your Park Visits:
National Park Week begins on Saturday, April 20, 2024, which also happens to be a FREE admission day at any National Park Service site that charges an entrance fee. In Georgia, the five National Park sites below will be fee-free on April 20th (and four additional dates in 2024):
National Park Week is a nine-day celebration from April 20 - 28, 2024, that includes a fee- free day at sites that charge admission as well as theme days to help celebrate and support National Parks this week and year-round, including on Earth Day, Monday, April 22.
National Park Week Theme Days (from National Park Service):
Saturday, April 20: Discovery. What will you discover? A new place, a new interesting fact, a new activity... To kick off National Park Week and encourage you make that new discovery, entrance fees are waived on April 20!
Sunday, April 21: Volunteers. Use your time and talents as a volunteer in your national parks. Find opportunities to volunteer for a single event or long-term position.
Monday, April 22: Earth Day. Join the global celebration encouraging education and stewardship of the planet's natural resources. Many parks are hosting volunteer events. You can also find ways to practice conservation at home.
Tuesday, April 23: Innovation. History of our nation's innovation is preserved in national parks. Also learn about the innovative projects happening in parks or through our programs today.
Wednesday, April 24: Workforce Wednesday. Meet our incredible workforce of employees, interns, fellows, volunteers, contractors, partners, and more. Consider joining our team!
Thursday, April 25: Youth Engagement. Calling the rising generation of stewards! Learn about the opportunities for youth and young adults to get involved and see what your peers are up to.
Friday, April 26: Community Connections. Learn about the important work our programs and partners are doing in communities across the country both within and outside of our park boundaries.
Saturday, April 27: Junior Ranger Day. For kids (and kids at heart), become a Junior Ranger through in-person or online activities to learn about special places or topics. You may even earn a Junior Ranger badge!
Sunday, April 28: Arts in Parks. Home of many arts past and present, find your muse creating arts within parks. Also learn about preserving and practicing arts in your communities through the work of our programs and partners.
There are more than 400 National Parks across the nation that are open every day, with most of them offering free entrance. However, there are also free or discounted passes available for active and veteran military families, senior citizens, and more. For parents of elementary school children, note that there is an Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass which provides 4th grade students with a pass that covers fees for them and three adults during their 4th grade year.
With so many opportunities to visit National Parks, and Georgia’s many state parks, trail systems and heritage sites, we hope that you will plan more family adventures this year!
More Information about Georgia’s National Park Service Sites:
Amazing Things To Do At National Parks In Georgia (Explore Georgia)
National park entrance is free on these 6 days in 2024 (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Looking for Earth Day celebration ideas? Check these sources for information:
Best Earth Day Events in Atlanta 2024 (Atlanta Parent)
Earth Day Savannah 2024 Planet vs. Plastic Earth Day Festival (Macon-Bibb County)
25 Best Earth Day Activities to Help You Celebrate Nature (Good Housekeeping)
