By the end of the week, SCAD students don’t have the funds to enjoy a weekend out on the town. Paying for supplies, books, classes, food and gas can deplete a weekly budget fast, but there are ways to enjoy the city without breaking the bank. A great way to save money and take a break from classes is to take advantage of the Georgia State Parks less than 15 minutes from downtown.
Ten minutes down I-20 west, Sweetwater Creek offers an assortment of outdoor activities for less than $10. Take a guided hike through New Manchester Manufacturing Company Ruins. The trail passes by the burned textile mill overlooking Sweetwater Creek and continues on through nine miles of magnolia trees and wild azaleas.
Every Saturday, through April 27, Sweetwater Creek offers the New Manchester History Hike. The one-mile hike is accompanied by a local historian and provides some of the best photo opportunities in the park.
For $5, join park rangers on the Spring Wildflower hike Saturday, April 6 or Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m – noon. Pack a lunch and take advantage of the sheltered picnic areas.
Another day-tripper destination, just outside the perimeter, is Panola Mountain State Park. A National Heritage Area, Panola Mountain is in company with other national sites such as the Grand Canyon, the Mississippi Delta and Shenandoah Valley Battlefield. Offering more than a day’s worth of activities, Panola Mountain has more than 1,500 acres of forest, 12 miles of paved trail for joggers and bikers, two miles of nature trails and primitive campsites for overnight visitors. Like Sweetwater Creek, Panola Mountain will also be offering a Spring Wildflower Hike Saturday April 6, from 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
Park Rangers lead trail hikes to the mountain every Saturday at 10 a.m, but recommend wearing sturdy boots and bringing plenty of water. With a permit visitors can fish in one of two lakes, or for $10 stop by the archery range. It’s no surprise why Panola Mountain has been featured as one of Channel 2’s “Hidden Treasures” because for so many activities admission is only $15 including parking.
Although Pickett’s Mill Battlefield doesn’t offer as many amenities as Panola Mountain, it makes up the difference with historic culture. One of the best-preserved battlefields in the South, Pickett’s Mill has more than 700 acres of wilderness and four miles of trails. Stop by the visitor’s center and check out Civil War documentaries, artifacts and exhibits.
Only 15 minutes outside of Atlanta, Pickett’s Mill has a rich historical background and plenty of on-site guides. In May 1867, 14,000 Union soldiers marched on Pickett Mill farm where Confederate troops barricaded behind still standing earthworks. Although the history associated with the site is grim, admission is only $6 and Pickett’s Mill Creek is a great, cheap spot for a sack-lunch.
All information regarding Georgia State Parks was provided by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For more visit their website.