Kolomoki Mounds State Park (Blakely) -– Kolomoki protects the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the Southeast, including eight ancient earthen mounds. Activities include hiking on five miles of trails, touring the Native American museum, and even climbing to the top of a temple mound. The 2.5-mile Spruce Pine Trail, part of Georgia’s Southern Rivers Birding Trail, offers views of lakes Yahola and Kolomoki and wildlife observation platforms. Keep an eye out for White-tailed Deer, Gopher Tortoises, Wild Turkeys, Blue Herons and Red-headed Woodpeckers.
Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site (Darien) –- A 1.5-mile walk through a former rice plantation tells the story of the Lowcountry’s way of life in the 1800s. After the Civil War and end of slavery, the estate was eventually transformed into a dairy farm. Hike across the fields, along the marsh and several historic buildings, stopping for a guided tour of a furnished antebellum home. Spanish moss and majestic Live Oaks add to the beautiful scenery.
Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site (Dallas) –- Connect with nature in this largely untouched 800-acre site protecting one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefield in the nation. Six miles of trails (including roads once traveled by soldiers), undisturbed earthworks and an 1800s cabin provide hikers and their four-legged companions a range of scenery.
Wormsloe State Historic Site (Savannah) — Make sure your phone is fully charged before you visit one of Savannah’s most Instagrammed attractions. Enter through a distinctive archway and travel a mile-long avenue lined with Live Oaks and Spanish Moss to the oldest tabby ruins in Georgia. Here you’ll learn about Wormsloe, the 1700s colonial estate of Noble Jones. The 3-mile Battery Trail will take you past the ruins, through maritime forest and along salt marsh where you can look for fiddler crabs at low tide. Bring binoculars to spot Great Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets, Red-wing Blackbirds and other coastal species.