Vogel State

Park in Blairsville boasts one of the most scenic lakeside beaches in

Georgia. Swimmers have a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains,

including Blood Mountain. At Skidaway Island State Park near Savannah,

sunbathers may see Painted Buntings and numerous other birds flitting

among Spanish moss-draped trees. The pool at Florence Marina State Park

in southwest Georgia has a nice view of beautiful Lake Walter F. George.

One of the

largest sand swimming beaches in the state is found at John Tanner State

Park in Carrollton. Known as "Tanner's Beach" during the 1950s

and '60s, the popular swimming area is bordered by numerous picnic tables

and pedal boat docks. Another particularly large swimming beach is found

at Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton.

Kelley mentioned

that a few things have changed during the last two years. The pool at

Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia has closed, and the swimming

beach at Hart State Park on Hartwell Lake was moved from a point in the

picnic area to a more secluded cove. Many parks in southeast Georgia have

spruced up their swimming pools with new tables, umbrellas and chairs.

While hours

vary, most swimming pools are open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday

and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Lakeside beaches are open daily,

year-round. For more information, visit www.gastateparks.org or call 1-800-864-7275

for a free 72-page "Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites."

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