Frugal Family Travelers: State Park

Showing posts with label State Park. Show all posts

Saturday, February 13, 2016

3 Hidden Treasures Near Atlanta

It is no secret that Atlanta, GA is a destination filled with immense opportunities for family fun and excitement. When one thinks of Atlanta, places like Stone Mountain, Six Flags and the Coca Cola Museum immediately come to mind. However, did you know that just 10-30 minutes from the city center there are 3 beautiful places for outdoor adventure and relaxation? Our Frugal Family Travelers recently paid a visit to the area and not only enjoyed some of the typical tourist attractions, but also soaked up the nature to be found at the locations reviewed below.

Whether you are planning a winter or summer trip to the area, consider adding one of these places to your list of things to do! You won't be sorry!

Sweetwater Creek

Directions: 1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Nestled in a wooded area just miles from the city, Sweetwater Creek is a Georgia State Park not to be missed. With an amazing hike next to a white water stream and the ruins of an old textile mill, this trek is certain to rejuvenate your spirit. If you enjoy camping, the newly installed Yurts may be something you and your family investigate. Fans of the Hunger Games films may recognize the scenery at Sweetwater Creek, as it was featured in the film.

F. D. Roosevelt State Park

Directions: 2970 GA-190, Pine Mountain, GA 31822

Just a short drive from the city, in Warm Springs, GA, is F. D. Roosevelt State Park. It is home to some amazing views, cabins, camping and the liberty bell shaped swimming pool created by the Civilian Conservation Corp. Being that the Pine Miuntain hiking trail is quite expansive, we highly suggest visiting the park office for maps and directions before embarking on an adventure. There are beautiful waterfalls on the trail but it is important to know on what stretches of the trail these are located! The park rangers give great directions!

Warm Springs is also home to President Roosevelt's "Little White House". As you may know, he traveled here to take advantage of the warm spring waters for therapeutic polio treatments. His home is open for tours as well as the swimming pool facility where he received therapy.

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

Directions: 2852 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Another amazing place just a few miles from the city is the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. If you are looking for a quick "get-away" while visiting the city of Atlanta, then look no further. This place features a beautiful waterfall, within a short walking distance from the parking lot. The hike is very easy for the young and old alike!

Disclaimer:

All content provided on Frugal Family Travelers blog is for informational purposes only. The owners of this blog make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owners of Frugal Family Travelers blog do not share personal information with third-parties and are not responsible for the republishing of the content found on this blog on other Web sites or media without permission. As with all travel, operating days, times, costs, etc., should be verified prior to departure.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Travelin' the Trace to Tishomingo

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a designated National Park and rightfully so. Spanning 444 miles through 3 states and encompassing 10,000 years of history, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a treasure trove for those who love nature, history and have a hunger for exploration! Along our journey to the beautiful Tishomingo State Park (located in the northeastern quadrant of Mississippi), our Frugal Family Travelers stopped at several locations on the northern end of the Mississippi section of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The pictures and discriptions below will provide you with options for places to visit in this area, should you choose to add any of these areas to your bucket list.

As mentioned earlier, Tishomingo State Park was the main travel target on our journey and it did not disappoint. Being that it was only 5 hours from New Orleans, this park was the perfect "get-away" for our Frugal Family Travelers. With canoeing, hiking and history wrapped up in a mountain setting, Tishomingo gave us the feeling we were nestled in the mountains when we were actually in the foothills of the Great Smokies. We enjoyed our stay in one of the rustic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and spent our evening there grilling and making smores! By day we explored a trail leading over a swinging bridge (also built by the CCC) and hiked yet another to a pioneer cabin. The highlight of our experience here was a 6.25 mile canoeing trip on Bear Creek. With cypress tree littering nearly every inch of its banks, Bear Creek literally looks like something out of a movie. The patches of white water kept the trip exciting but were not overwhelming for our younger paddlers! We loved our entire visit here and highly reccommend this park!

Outside of rustic cabin. Approximate price is $60 per night.

Swinging Bridge

A view of Bear Creek!

Indian Trail Tree encountered while hiking.

Trail to pioneer cabin.

Scenes while canoeing on Bear Creek. There is a $30 canoe rental fee. Make a reservation with the park office (662-438-6914). Younger paddlers 7 and under may ride in the center of the canoe. Lifejackets and paddles are provided along with transportation to the beginning of the float trip.

The following are scenes from the Northern Mississippi portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the towns surrounding the parkway.

Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo, MS: We stopped a viewed everything from the outside however there is a museum and tour of the home offered for a fee.

Cave Spring is a stop right off the Natchez Trace Parkway very close to Tishomingo State Park.

Indian Mounds off Natchez Trace Parkway

(Click here for Google Map)

We viewed a great movie regarding the history of the trace and also saw an exhibit at the Parkway Visitor's Center, milepost 266, Tupelo, MS

Disclaimer:

Monday, March 16, 2015

FLORIDA IS SO MUCH MORE THAN DISNEY!

Many families traveling through Florida to Disney World forget to consider the many hidden treasures in the state. I am not talking about the beautiful beaches either. Waterfalls? Caves? Pristine spring fed swimming holes? Did you know all of these can be found in the "sunshine state" and not far from your path when traveling to and from a visit to the home of your favorite mouse! Whether you are planning your next trip to Disney World or just a trip to to Florida, consider the offerings below! Your Frugal Family Travelers will not be disappointed!

Many of our readers already know how our Frugal Family Travelers feel about state parks. Many unique places are under the purview of state governments and Florida is no exception. While known for its beaches and of course, Disney, Florida is also home to many pristine spring fed swimming holes which provide unique opportunities for outdoor fun. Our Frugal Family Travelers have visited one of these locations but the one featured in this post was actually suggested by a reader and friend!

Madison Blue Spring State Park features an amazing 82 ft wide and 25 ft deep spring fed swimming hole. This is truly an oasis like something found on a tropical island.

Cost: Florida State Park Fee Schedule

Directions:

8300 NE State Road 6

Lee, FL 32059

(850) 971-5003

Madison Blue Spring is approximately 10 miles (16 km) east of Madison on the west bank of the Withlacoochee River. Madison is located not far from the I-10 corridor between Tallahassee and Lake City. From Madison, drive east on SR 6 to the Withlacoochee River. Turn south on the west side of the bridge at the park sign. Spring is 525 ft (160 m) south of the highway.

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Falling Creek Falls is quite the unexpected location, particularly when thinking about Florida. It is part of the Suwannee River Water Management Area in Columbia County Florida and is located just outside Lake City. Our Frugal Family Travelers really enjoyed our visit here!

Cost: Free

Directions from Lake City:

Travel north on US 41, pass under I-10, turn right on NW Falling Creek Road; travel 1 mile. The park is on the right before crossing the creek.

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Our third suggestions for "off the beaten path" travel is the Florida Caverns State Park. Not only will a beautiful cave with limestone formations be found here but one can also hike, bike, canoe and golf! There is something here for Frugal Family Traveler in your group!

Cost: Florida State Park Fee Schedule

Directions:

3345 Caverns Road

Marianna, FL 32446

(850) 482-1228