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Home , Blood Mountain, Coosa Bald, Panola Mountain, Slaughter Mountain, Vogel State Park

6 state parks for adrenaline junkies

By Rose Kennedy

Mountain views and suspension bridges add extra thrills to ziplining Amicalola .

Posted: 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Thrill seekers, you can stay in the state and still get a premium adrenaline fix. Georgia state parks offer job-dropping, adrenaline-pumping thrills within hours of Atlanta, some practically next door.

Here are six state park attractions for the most adventurous:

Trail half marathon at At the base of in the Chattahoochee National Forest is a loop that beckons the toughest trail for hikers who also have a taste for mountain scenery. The 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail at Vogel State Park includes around 2,100 feet of elevation gain and two mountain climbs over and that are tough stuff. Throughout, expect creek crossing, rock hopping and running through lush, thick forest.

Tamer, but still really fun: Shopping and small-town strolling are nearby at the Alpine Village at Helen.

Trek to the depths of Tallulah Gorge State Park How do you make it 1,000 feet down at Tallulah Gorge? Try tackling 600 metal steps and crossing a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet above the ground. On the gorge floor, the rock-hopping fun beings and you may even spy a hidden gorge floor cave before completing the 2.5 mile round trip. This one takes a little prep work, though. Free permits are required to access the gorge floor and they're limited to 100 per day. Tamer, but still really fun: Tallulah Gorge senior ranger sessions the last Wednesday of the month feature talks on geology, the history of the area, birding, wildflower and tree identification.

Climbing trees at

This suspension bridge sways 80 feet above ground at Tallulah Gorge State Park.

You can climb 30 feet up at Panola State Park.

State Park

Hey, Atlanta daredevils on tight schedules, this one's for you. This adventure is happening just 15 minutes away from the ATL. Panola Mountain State Park's intro program will show you how to use a rope and harness safely to reach (gulp) 30 feet off the ground into a Southern Red Oak more than two centuries old. Climb, swing and scramble at events hosted throughout the year at Panola Mountain. Tamer, but still really fun: Panola also has a playground and interpretive programs.

Zipline through the mountains at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

What a rush! You'll zip through the park forest air and test your balance on suspension bridges throughout the course. Your heart will pound as you swoop across valleys alongside sweeping mountain views. Hiking adventures and a splendid lodge make this one for the adrenaline-junkie's bucket list.

Tamer, but still really fun: Check out the Birds of Prey adventure in the company of expert handlers.

See the eerie, inspiring night sky on a ranger-led night paddle at Stephen C. Foster State Park.

Night paddling at Stephen C. Foster State Park

This remote park is the gateway to the , one of Georgia's seven natural wonders. A night paddle by moonlight is both an eerie and beautiful way to drink in the scenery and the experience is only allowed as part of park-ranger guided trips. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the black swamp waters, cypress knees rise from the water's surface and that glow you spot with a flashlight may be alligator eyes. Or, who knows?

Tamer, but still really fun: Stephen C. Foster is quite close to The Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker, designed by Steve Burnes and featuring three large lakes and native sand.

The Georgia Girls Guides will show you how to safely spelunk in the wild caves beneath Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Caving at Cloudland Canyon State Park

The Georgia Girl Guides caving tour leads you underground to a wild cave excursion that can last one to four hours. Dark tunnels, limestone formations and instructions on pushing, pulling and squeezing your body through rock passageways included, along with unlimited mud. Some age restrictions apply.

Best caving tours in Georgia

Tamer, but still really fun: Cloudland Canyon also offers disc golf for $4, with annual passes available