Start 2016 by taking a hike

Georgia's state parks are once again encouraging people to spend New Year's Day outdoors.

Indian Springs State Park will be hosting a First Day History Hike at 11 a.m., allowing visitors to tour the park's museum before hiking out to visit the sites of the five hotels built in the area's heyday.

"Indian Springs was a resort back in the day, and the hike will help people paint a picture of what the area looked like then," said Katherine Darsey, assistant park manager.

The 45-minute, one-mile hike is not difficult but does include some stairs.

At 3 p.m., the park will host the First Day Nature Hike, taking guests through the woods and along the creek for about three-quarters of a mile. The hike will conclude with s'mores at a campfire.

"It's a good way to get kids out and get them involved in the outdoors," Darsey said.

High Falls State Park's First Day Hike starts at 2 p.m. and is two miles long, taking an hour and a half to complete, said Alyson Snipes, natural resources manager.

Visitors will get to see the old grist mill and waterfalls and walk along the trail in the woods, hopefully seeing some wildlife.

Hikers are asked to bring water and a snack.

"It's a moderate hike, not the easiest, but definitely not the hardest," Snipes said. "It is not stroller accessible, but all ages are welcome and we hope to see everybody there."

All of the hikes are free but require a $5 parking fee. For more details, see the listings in the Friday, Jan. 1, column on this page.

-- Laura Shirley

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Start 2016 by taking a hike ."