Georgia State Parks Offers RV Deals for Snowbirds Flocking to and through Georgia

Stephen C. Foster State Park

The following is from Georgia State Parks. They have some great rates available at some great state parks through February 28th.  

ATLANTA, January 3, 2014 — The seasons have changed and winter has arrived, which means that Georgia State Parks has one for the birds—the sun-seeking snowbirds, that is. It’s time for the annual migration when residents from points north seek southern sunshine. This year Georgia State Parks is offering deals to RVers to nest for a while in the Peach State by offering a 50 percent discount off the regular campsite rates of $25 to $32 per night with a minimum of a 30-day stay from now until February 28, 2014. To take advantage of this fine-as-a-feather offer when making reservations, use promotional code SnowBird50%. For additional details, visit www.gastateparks.org/snowbird.

Kolomoki Mounds State Park

This snowbird of happiness half-off special discount is valid for campsites at six participating state parks peppered across Georgia, including Florence Marina, Kolomoki Mounds, Magnolia Springs, Reed Bingham, Seminole, and Stephen C. Foster. The parks offer unparalleled natural surroundings, quietness and serenity, historical perspectives, and something uniquely different about each one for discerning cold-weather escapees.

On the western edge of Georgia lies Florence Marina State Park in Omaha. While its primary design is for water lovers and water sports, it offers a natural deepwater marina, boat slips and boat ramp, and a fun fishing pier where the fishing is as fabulous as the birding. Campers will enjoy Kirbo Interpretive Center, which showcases local history and flora and fauna. Discounted rates range from $12.50 to $14 per night. Farther south is Kolomoki Mounds State Park, a historically significant park near Blakely that is the oldest and largest Woodland Indian site in the Southeast. For the outdoors, it’s all here, from fishing and boating to hiking and photography. Discounted rates are $12.50 to $13.50 per night for fall and winter.

Magnolia Springs State Park

Wedged between Interstates 16 and 20 is Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen. While it is primarily known for its wildlife and crystalline springs that gush an astounding 7 million gallons per day, the dramatically beautiful site is historically significant in that it was once a Civil War stockade. Relive history here at rates of 50 percent off: only $12.50 to $14 per night. Near the major north-south corridor of Interstate 75 is Adel’s Reed Bingham State Park, another veritable zoo of rare and endangered wildlife such as gopher tortoises and indigo snakes. The park is also home to one of Georgia’s most bizarre natural spectacles when thousands of buzzards congregate here to roost for the winter and is truly a sight to behold. Buzz on in for discounted rates of $12.50 to $16 per night.

Lake Seminole

On the 37,500-acre Lake Seminole in the far southwest corner of Georgia close to Donalsonville is Seminole State Park, which has the distinction of having one of the largest longleaf pine forests in a Georgia state park. The park is the place for myriad opportunities for boating, fishing, birding, and wildlife watching. Discounted rates are an affordable $12.50 to $14 per night. For a taste of the enigmatic, darkly beautiful Okefenokee Swamp, an array of wildlife not found elsewhere, and melodic folk music, Stephen Foster State Park near Fargo is a remote and rare jewel. Here the nights are dark and quiet so that stargazing is an unreal experience. Wing in with Snowbird rates of $12.50 to $15 per night.

At Georgia State Parks, it’s all about the outdoors for singles, couples or families. For an extended stay with great rates, everyone can easily escape the cold and bask under the Georgia sun with a wide range of activities. For a complete listing of all that’s available at each park, visit www.GaStateParks.org. For additional details on the discount, visit www.gastateparks.org/snowbird.

Rock Eagle Effigy - Eatonton, Georgia

One of the most remarkable places in Georgia is a hilltop just north of Eatonton, where some 2,000 years ago prehistoric Native Americans built the effigy of a gigantic bird..

Rock Eagle Effigy Mound is a magnificent stone effigy that measures more than 100 feet both from wingtip to wingtip and from the top of the head to the bottom of the feat. Its breast rises more than 8 feet above the surface of the dirt on the hilltop.

Now a park area adjoining the Rock Eagle 4-H Center, the effigy can be visited daily during normal business hours. There is no charge to see it, making it one of the most amazing free attractions anywhere in the country.

Despite years of research, very little is known of exactly when and why the prehistoric people of the area build the effigy. It is thought to date from around 100-300 A.D., although others hold that it is much older. It is also thought to hold ceremonial significance, an obvious conclusion, and archaeologists did find cremated human burials in it.  It seems to be paired in someway with the nearby Rock Hawk (also called the Little Rock Eagle effigy), which is located east of Eatonton. The two are the only known rock effigy mounds east of the Mississippi River.

To read more about the Rock Eagle and see additional photos, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/rockeagle.

Kolomoki Mounds State Park - Blakely, Georgia

One of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Americas is now nestled in the pines and surrounded by the peanut fields of Southwest Georgia at Kolomoki Mounds State Park.

Some archaeologists believe that the massive Native American culture once centered at Kolomoki Mounds was the most important of its era north of the powerful Aztec civilization in Mexico. Rising in around 350 A.D., the Kolomoki culture developed widespread trade networks, a highly ceremonial religion, advanced skills in art, astronomy and architecture and built a massive pyramidal mound that remains one of the largest in the United States. They also practiced human sacrifice.

One of the most amazing facts about the array of mounds that still exist at Kolomoki is that they were oriented to serve as a gigantic prehistoric calender and observatory. On the longest day of the year, for example, the sun rises from directly behind the center of the huge 56-foot high Temple Mound (or Mound A). Other mounds in the complex appear to be arranged to coincide with various constellations at key times of the year.

A major component of what scientists call the Weeden Island time period (which takes its name from a unique pottery style first documented at Weedon Island, Florida), the Kolomoki site includes the huge Temple Mound, burial mounds, a vast village plaza and other features such as an unusual "serpent-like" ravine or trench leading up to the base of the large mound.

The civilization vanished roughly 1,000 years before the first European explorers set foot on the Southern coastline. Replaced by the powerful Mississippian culture, the Kolomoki site faded away and never again regained its prominence.

Today the archaeological site is the center of a beautiful state park that features camping, picnicking, nature trails and more. The park's museum encloses most of a burial mound and visitors can follow wooden walkways into the heart of the mound where they can learn about an elaborate burial ceremony that took place there more than 1,500 years ago. The other mounds can also be explored and an interpretive trail and stairway lead to the top of the giant Temple Mound.

To learn more, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/kolomoki1.