Imagine multicolored leaves crunching beneath your Timberlands and gooey s’mores sticking to your chin. Few things say “fall” as much as a well deserved getaway, complete with energizing hikes and cozy campfires. To help leaf peepers plan their autumn escapes, Georgia’s State Park System has developed the online “Leaf Watch 2006” that tracks fall color as it moves across the state.

Whether heading to the mountains for hiking and biking or going south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2006” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found on www.gastateparks.org throughout October and early November, travelers can read regular updates provided by park rangers, get tips on safe hiking and camping, and learn why leaves change colors. A link takes visitors to a reservation service for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. New this year to the site is a live webcam.

Typically, mountain parks peak in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and throughout much of November. Even parks in southern Georgia put on a pretty display during late autumn. According to Tim Allmond, a ranger at George L. Smith State Park near Statesboro, timing is everything.

“During the first few days that the cypress trees start turning color, their bright red tint makes the lake look like it’s on fire,” said Allmond. “The reflection off the black water doubles the color, and then they turn a rusty orange color for the rest of fall.”

Some of the most popular parks for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Unicoi, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Tallulah Gorge and Vogel. Since these parks are sometimes crowded on fall weekends, visitors may want to check out less known parks, which can be just as vibrant.

Stop by Watson Mill Bridge State Park near Athens for a scenic riverside picnic. Providence Canyon State Park, also called Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, has hiking trails along the rim and into the sandy canyon. Hardwoods and tumbling creeks can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in near Columbus. And Smithgall Woods near Helen boasts not only beautiful fall color but also some of the best trout fishing in the state.

Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages to be reserved nearly a year in advance, and many campgrounds fill up on pretty weekends. To make a reservation, call 1-800-864-7275 or log onto www.gastateparks.org.

While everything else changes, Georgia State Parks remain true to nature. During 2006, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 75 years of protecting Georgia’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for a happy and healthy Georgia.

To join this celebration or view “Leaf Watch 2006” (beginning in October), visit www.gastateparks.org.

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