Reservations (800) 864-7275
Park
(770) 389-7801
FACILITIES AVAILABLE for July 30-August 1:
Conference Room
(as of July 27, 2010 - updates are posted on Tuesday)
This unusual park near Atlanta was created to protect a 100-acre granite monadnock (mountain) often compared to Stone Mountain and Arabia Mountain. Minimally developed, Panola Mountain shelters rare plants of the Piedmont region. Hikers may explore the park’s watershed and granite outcrop on their own, or they may join park staff for guided hikes onto the restricted-access mountain. Children especially enjoy the interpretive center with animal exhibits.
Due to its delicate ecological features, Panola Mountain was designated a National Natural Landmark, and pets are not allowed on most trails. Bicycles are allowed only on the paved PATH trail.
Park Hours:
September 15-April 14, 7AM-6PM (or dark); April 15-September 14, 7AM-9PM (or dark).
Interpretive Center Hours:
open 8:30AM-5PM daily.
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/PanolaMountain
Attending an event? Due to the popularity of our programs and guided hikes, all require advance registration.
Please be aware that our program refund policy is 72-hour notice to reschedule or to receive a full refund.
FACILITIES:
- 1,319 Acres
- 4 Picnic Shelters ($70)
- Conference Room (seats 50, $155)
- Visitor Center
- Playground
- 2 Fishing Lakes
ACTIVITIES:
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
SUPPORTERS:
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Events
Twilight Hike
Thursdays 7 PM until Aug 26, 2010
| Join a park ranger on this guided hike when the days are long, and the temperatures cool just before sunset. This is the time when wildlife is most active. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Mountain Top Adventure Hike
Sundays 2 PM until Nov 21, 2010
Sunday, Dec 5, 2010 2 PM
Sunday, Dec 12, 2010 2 PM
Sunday, Dec 19, 2010 2 PM
| These guided hikes depart from Panola's nature center and are for people in good physical condition. This hike allows visitors to see Panola Mountain up close, as a ranger explains why the mountain is protected and what we can do to preserve granite outcrops... $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Sunday Afternoon Fly Fishing Clinic
1st Sunday of Month 2 PM from Aug 1, 2010 until Dec 5, 2010
| Casting is the backbone of this clinic; however, if time permits will also cover equipment, knot tying, and safety issues and other tricks of the trade. Master Instructor C. H. Brown suggest wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion... $15 or $12 with own gear. $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Frog Slog
Tuesdays 6 PM until Aug 31, 2010
| Investigate wetlands and streams in search of frogs and salamanders. Be prepared to get wet, muddy, and bring a flashlight and headlamp, nets, seines and buckets. Meet in the Alexander Lake parking area. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Mountain Top Night Hike
Saturday, Aug 7, 2010 7 PM
Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 7 PM
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 7 PM
Saturday, Nov 6, 2010 6 PM
Saturday, Dec 4, 2010 6 PM
| Listen to whippoorwills and owls as the sun slowly sets and the moon begins to rise. Panola Mountain is one of the best places to see the wildlife of the night. Bring flashlights and hiking boots. Meet at the nature center 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Volunteer Orientation
Sunday, Aug 8, 2010 2 PM
 Share you passion with others as you advance your skills and talent. Use these orientation training as a foundation to introduce you to what you need to do to become a volunteer and enhance your volunteer experience at Panola Mountain. Meet at the nature center... $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Lost Person Prevention
2nd Saturday of Month 10 AM from Aug 14, 2010 until Dec 11, 2010
| Learn simple techniques for not getting lost and keeping track of your family when venturing into the great outdoors of Georgia. Search and Rescue Dog Team will be joining the class unless a SAR activity is occurring. Meeting at the nature center... $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Introduction to Backpacking
Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 10 AM
| This beginner's class will take place in an outdoor classroom. This is a great introduction on how to prepare for backcountry hiking; what is essential, how to save weight, and what to leave at home. Meeting at the nature center. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program... $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Basic Fly Fishing Clinic
2nd Saturday of Month 10 AM - 12 PM from Aug 14, 2010 until Dec 11, 2010
| The two-hour clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety issues and other tricks of the trade. If time permits participants may stay to catch the "Fish of Fish." Instructors C. H... $15 or $12 with own gear. $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Survival Skill Series: Orienteering
Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 10 AM
| Learn how to use a compass. Every year many people get lost in the wilderness, and many have a compass with them. Our introductory orienteering program will help you understand proper compass usage, how to take your pace, and how they can help if you are lost. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Creature Feature
Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 2 PM
| Can turtles leave their shells? How many types of venomous snakes live in Georgia? Are salamanders reptiles? Learn the answers to all of these questions and more. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Chemical Monitoring Workshop for Quality Assurance
Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 9 AM to 2 PM
| The Chemical Monitoring workshop is designed to teach volunteers about basic stream water chemistry and how to conduct the chemical tests using hand-held field equipment. Meeting at Alexander Lake Recreation Area. Register in Advance. For more information contact Annie Huff at ahuff@co.henry.ga.us. $5 parking. 770-288-7246. |
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Saturday Mountain Hike
3rd Saturday of Month 10 AM from Aug 21, 2010 until Dec 18, 2010
| These guided hikes depart from Panola's nature center and are for people in good physical condition... $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Survival Skill Series: Shelter Building
Saturday, Aug 21, 2010 10 AM
| Learn how to build a wilderness shelter and why they are important, especially in wilderness survival situations. Learn different techniques and practice new skills by building your own shelter. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Road Bike Ride
Saturday, Aug 28, 2010 9 AM
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 9 AM
Saturday, Oct 23, 2010 9 AM
| Join us for a 41-mile ride with a 23-mile option. We will be highlighting the Arabia Mountain Path and gently traveled country roads of Rockdale, Dekalb and Henry counties. Meet at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program. Register in advance. $5 parking. 404-375-6789. |
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Biological Monitoring Workshop for Quality Assurance
Saturday, Aug 28, 2010 9 AM to 2 PM
| Learn how to sample the biological diversity of a stream. The macroinvertebrates (insects, snails and other critters) found in a stream are excellent indicators of the condition of both water quality and habitat. Meeting at Alexander Lake Recreation Area. Register in advance. $5 parking. 770-288-7246. |
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Mountain Bike Adventures
4th Saturday of Month 10 AM from Aug 28, 2010 until Oct 23, 2010
| Join the Southern Bicycle League at the Rockdale River Trail for an off-road adventure. This ride will take you to scenic vistas, wetland complexes and pine savannah, including both dirt and paved trails. Meet at the Alexander Lake Parking Area. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before each program... $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Survival Skills Series: Fire Starting
Saturday, Sep 4, 2010 10 AM
| Start a campfire without lighter fluid. Learn basic methods of starting campfires in survival situations. Take time to practice these skills as well as understand precautions that must be considered when starting campfires. This program will also briefly cover wildfires and prescribed burns... $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Survival Skills Series: Edible Plants
Saturday, Sep 11, 2010 10 AM
| Could you survive on plants you found in the forest? Learn which plants will help you and which plants will make you itch. This program will also cover plants that can provide water and which plants have medicinal qualities. Register in advance. $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Tree Top Excursions: Introduction Climb
3rd Saturday of Month 1 PM - 4 PM from Sep 18, 2010 until Dec 18, 2010
| Join us "on rope" for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. Meeting at Naomi-Ruth Climbing Tree... $15 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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ZZZ's in the Trees
Saturday & Sunday 6 PM from Sep 25, 2010 until Sep 26, 2010
Saturday & Sunday 6 PM from Oct 2, 2010 until Oct 3, 2010
| Join us aloft for a tranquil night in the canopy as you lay in your "tree-boat," viewing stars glimmering like diamonds in the sky. A treetop bivouac camp will be established in our secluded climbing tree for an overnight experience... $125 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Backyard Birding
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 10 AM
| Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the America. Around 60 million people feed birds in the USA. The only outdoor hobby that is more popular is gardening, and the two combine naturally... $7 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Wood Carving 101
Friday, Oct 8, 2010 2 PM to 5 PM
| During this introductory course, learn how to carve wood by hand, shaping it into art. The course will cover types of wood, carving tools and equipment, and hands-on instruction. Participants will carve in-the-round and relief. Meeting at the nature center... $30 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Tree Top Night Climb
Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 7 PM
| Join us aloft in "Naomi Ruth," a wonderful 90-foot Southern Red Oak, which is our living classroom. This nocturnal climb will include fluorescent lichen and other glowing critters of the night, stargazing and night climbing activities. We may even have a barred owl join us... $25 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Backpacking Clinic
Saturday & Sunday 2 PM from Nov 6, 2010 until Nov 7, 2010
| This over-night guided trip will take you to breathtaking vistas, pine savannahs, hardwood bottomlands and water crossings... $30 plus $5 parking. 770-389-7801. |
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Specials