Ga. parks picked for ‘Reader’s Choice’ awards

ATLANTA — Readers of Georgia Magazine have bestowed Reader’s Choice Awards to a trio of Georgia state parks.

From the official Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites news release:

Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville was voted “Best State Park” for its “gorgeous scenery, wooded hiking trails for all skill levels and breathtaking views of Amicalola Falls.” At 729 feet, the falls are the tallest cascade in the southeastern United States. The popular park was also nominated as a top hiking destination due to its 12 miles of trails. Visitors will find a mountain-top lodge with restaurant, cabins, campsites and family-friendly ranger programs.

Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site in Warm Springs earned “Favorite Historic Site” among the magazine’s 1.3 million readers. This was the only home that President Franklin D. Roosevelt built for himself, and was one of his favorite retreats, especially at Thanksgiving. Visitors can see the famous “unfinished portrait” that FDR was sitting for when he suffered a fatal stroke. The museum also includes FDR’s hand-controlled Ford roadster, cane collection and stagecoach, as well as “fireside chats” playing on the radio. Just down the road are the pools that first drew FDR to Warm Springs.

Unicoi State Park in Helen and Vogel State Park near Blairsville were also top mentions in the “Favorite State Park” category. Both have beautiful mountain scenery and lakes, plus exceptional hiking trails. Visitors can choose from campsites and cabins at both parks, plus a hotel-style lodge with restaurant at Unicoi.