Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Press Room
Georgia State Parks Announce “Leaf Watch” Photo Contest
ATLANTA, October 16, 2009 – Just in time to capture the best of fall foliage, Georgia State Parks and The Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites have announced a month-long photo contest to win a two-night stay in one of five state park lodges. The photo contest, open to professional and amateur photographers alike, offers a chance for fans of fall to share their best photos from Georgia’s state parks. Run through the free photo-sharing website Flickr, the contest will end Sunday, November 15. The winner will be announced the following week.

To enter the contest, follow these six simple steps to submit your photo of the fall colors at any one of Georgia’s state parks:

1. Visit www.flickr.com.
2. Log in to Flickr with your existing Yahoo account or create a new account.
3. Upload fall foliage photos from any one of Georgia’s state parks. Photos must be from one of Georgia’s state parks or historic sites found on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org to be eligible.
4. Go to the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Group and click on Join This Group.
5. Add photos from your account to this group.
6. For each photo you submit, add a tag of “Leaf Watch” to be entered in the contest.

For help in finding the state’s best fall foliage, Georgia State Park’s Leaf Watch website offers weekly updates and tips on where and when to find the best color. By going to www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch, visitors can also get hiking safety tips, learn why leaves change color and make reservations for overnight accommodations. To keep track of the contest, visit Flickr or follow @ParkMaverick on Twitter (www.twitter.com/parkmaverick). Park fans can also follow the latest park news on www.twitter.com/GaStateParks.

Of Georgia’s 48 state parks, some of the most popular for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel. For quieter getaways, visitors may want to explore lesser-known parks, which can be just as vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, frequently called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” has hiking trails and unusual scenery. Beautiful hardwoods, boulders and creeks can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Columbus.

For help in planning a fall staycation for your family, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-PARK (7275) for Lodge-ical rates starting at just $69 and $79 per night. Georgia’s 48 state parks are operated by the Department of Natural Resources and offer 2,476 campsites, 414 lodge rooms, 30 cottages and 12 yurts.

# # #
  ZIP SEARCH: