Georgia is a state full of natural beauty. Whether you are in the North, South, East, or West, you can find a National Natural Landmark to visit and explore.
- Okefenokee Swamp
The Okefenokee Swamp straddles the border between Georgia and Florida, with the primary section of the swamp being in Georgia. The swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark back in 1974, and its name is roughly translated into “land of trembling earth.” The park isn’t just a swamp; it also has lakes, forests, prairies, and jungles that can be explored. The Okefenokee is the largest swamp in North America and was used as a hiding place for Confederate deserters and Native Americans who fled the Trail of Tears.
If you are looking for some activities at the swamp, visit the Okefenokee Swamp Park, which has airboat tours, observation towers, and wildlife shows. The swamp is also filled with animals, most of which you have to be very careful around. Be on the lookout for alligators, snakes, and panthers.
- Wassaw Island
Wassaw Island is a National Wildlife Refuge that is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the East coast of Georgia. The refuge covers 10,000 acres of salt marshes, beaches, dunes, and maritime forests. The island was originally inhabited by Native Americans and hosted Confederate troops during the Civil War. The Parson family converted Wassaw Island into a refuge in 1969 to help preserve it.
The island has many things to do for whoever can make it out there. There are over 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. If you are a turtle watcher, loggerhead sea turtles nest and hatch there during the night. You can camp at the cabin on the island and stay up late to try to catch a glimpse of them hatching. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the island is by private boat or arranging a charter.
- Panola Mountain
Panola Mountain is located in Northern Georgia in Stockbridge. It has a peak that is almost 1,000 feet above sea level and covers around 100 acres. The mountain is technically called a monadnock, which is a small mountain that suddenly rises from a flat plain. Panola Mountain was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.
- Marshall Forest
Marshall Forest is located in Northwestern Georgia and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1966. Marshall Forest is the only virgin forest within city limits anywhere in the country and is one of the last old-growth forests in Georgia. The forest is 311 acres in total and was originally owned by the Cherokee Nation. The nation eventually sold the land to the Marshall family in 1880, who then helped to preserve it.
There are over 50 different types of trees in the forest, multiple species of frogs and snakes, and a myriad of birds. You can access the forest through one of five self-guided walking trails that help you learn about the history and inhabitants of the forest.
You can easily spend an entire day at any of these National Natural Landmarks, just soaking in the beauty and exploring. Visit any of these natural sites, and you’ll be able to relax in nature.\
Image via TimothyJ | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
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