Attention, all lovers of fall color! Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites have officially launched their Leaf Watch travel planner for 2020.
Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator, encourages the public to check out Leaf Watch 2020 at www.gastateparks.org.
The peak of fall color typically occurs in late October to early November for this area, but this year it might happen a little earlier, asserts Hatcher.
Hatcher suggests Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain, Black Rock Mountain, and Tallulah Gorge State Parks as great spots in Georgia to see fall color. She also recommends a visit during the week as opposed to the weekend since the weekends have been quite busy at those parks in recent days.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Summerville is also a prime place for fall color, adds Hatcher.
Leaf watchers are also urged by Hatcher to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #GaLeafWatch; be sure to tag @GaStateParks.
So what makes the leaves change color in the fall? Much of it has to do with daylength, says Keith Mickler, UGA Extension agent for Floyd County. The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and brilliant reds, golds, and oranges begin to appear.
Mickler encourages locals to mark their calendars for Saturday, October 31st (Halloween!) for the annual Tree Walk; details are TBA.