Go Bike Georgia

As winter drags on and those New Year’s resolutions start to fall by the wayside, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) makes it a little easier to stick with your commitment to spend more time outdoors. Bike trails on state parks and wildlife management areas around the state offer cycling opportunities that range from easy riding to challenging mountain biking.

"One of the great things about living in Georgia is that we can enjoy outdoor activities year-round," said DNR Commissioner Chris Clark. "Whether you’re just learning to ride your first two-wheeler or you ride for miles every weekend, we have bike trails that everyone can enjoy."

Variety of Challenges

Little tykes just learning to use their bikes can practice on the flat, paved trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park in northeast Georgia or Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona. Hard-core mountain bikers looking for a challenge should not miss trails at Fort Mountain, Unicoi, Fort Yargo and Tallulah Gorge state parks. These tracks are guaranteed to get heart rates pumping.

For those in the middle who simply want a good workout with pretty scenery, Georgia’s state parks offer several options. Watson Mill Bridge State Park near Athens has a relatively easy mountain bike trail near its covered bridge and river. Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge has joined the PATH network with several miles of paved trail that twist and dip through forests and neighborhoods. In eastern Georgia, bikers can pedal past lily pads and alligators at Magnolia Springs State Park. Numerous other bike trails are detailed on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org .

Muddy Spokes Club

Grab your bike, helmet and energy bars. The Muddy Spokes Club includes 11 state parks with bike trails that range from breath-taking singletrack to paved paths. Designed to challenge park visitors who want to get some exercise while enjoying the great outdoors, the Muddy Spokes Club offers 69 miles of bike trails. Finish all of them and earn bragging rights along with a "mud-splattered" t-shirt. For more information, go to www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/muddyspokes.

Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas

Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas is allowed year-round, unless otherwise posted at the WMA check station or at a specific recreation site. Cyclists are restricted to open improved roads, designated trails or designated areas.

One example of an available trail is at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield. This 5.6-mile multi-use trail is available for cyclists, horseback riders and hikers. Please note that this trail is closed during firearms deer hunts and from sunrise until 10 am during archery (deer) and turkey hunts. Find out more at www.georgiawildlife.com .

"Go Bike, Georgia" is the latest in a series of outdoor adventure tips from DNR Commissioner Clark that highlight affordable getaways, outdoor activities close to home, and creative ways to support conservation in Georgia. The series is part of DNR’s "Get Outdoors, Georgia" initiative, which encourages citizens to lead healthy, active lifestyles in the great outdoors and includes hiking, biking and paddling clubs, as well as outdoor events.

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