The next time you and your family head to one of Georgia’s State
Parks, bring your four-legged friends too! Many parks welcome pets to join
families to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. Here is a peek at some
of the ways your dog can enjoy a trip to the state park.
Camping in the woods is for furry friends, too. More than 40
Georgia State Parks have pet-friendly campgrounds, as long as dogs stay on a leash
and are accompanied by their owners at all times. Park campgrounds typically
include hot showers, water and electric hookup. Favorites include Fort
Mountain State Park near Chatsworth and Mistletoe State Park on Clarks Hill
Lake.
If you and your pet prefer to enjoy more comfortable camping,
cabin rentals are the perfect option. More than 30 state parks offer
dog-friendly cabins with spectacular views. Rentals require a $45 pet fee
per pet, and reservations are highly recommended. Check out the cabins at
Cloudland Canyon State Park near Dalton, Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen
or Crooked River State Park in St. Marys.
For more physical activity for you and your pooch, nearly every
Georgia State Park offers walking trails. For everyone’s safety, be sure to
keep your dog on a leash at all times. If you are looking to meet more pet-owner
friends, you can join ranger-led walks at both Sweetwater Creek State Park near
Atlanta or F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain.
Georgia State Parks have also partnered with the Georgia Veterinary
Medical Association to encourage exercise. Dogs can receive a “prescription”
for a healthy walk, which is redeemable for a $5 parking pass. Trails range in
difficulty levels for pets of all sizes. Less active dogs can start at Laura
Walker State Park in Waycross, and long distance hikers would prefer the
challenge of Victoria Bryant State Park near Lavonia.
All Georgia State Parks are operated by the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources and offer pristine natural beauty, from coastal marshes and
midland swamps to piedmont plains and breathtaking mountains. For more
information, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.
Source: http://www.atlantarealestateforum.com/dogs-can-enjoy-staying-playing-in-georgias-state-parks-77101/
Photo courtesy of: http://dogspired.com/the-best-ways-to-take-a-nature-walk-with-your-dog/
