Tales of Scales Events

Smithgall Woods State Park


Saturday, April 20, 2024

Edible and Medicinal Plants
Saturday, Apr 20, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This event is an introduction to foraging for edible and medicinal plants. Learn about the basic components of foraging, safe and ethical practices, and some common plants found in this region. Then, come on a guided hike to see what we can find. This is an excellent opportunity to begin your foraging journey. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Super Stars
Saturday, May 11, 2024 8 PM to 10 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Come out to Smithgall Woods for an introduction to all things Starry Nights. Learn about our constellations, where to go stargazing, how to find planets, and how to navigate your way around a telescope. This class is perfect for anyone interested in Astronomy, but doesn't know where to start. $10 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.
Accessible Event 

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Smithgall's Snakes
Saturday, May 18, 2024 10 AM to 11 AM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
A Tales of Scales Program! Georgia is home to 47 species of snakes, many of which can be found here at Smithgall Woods State Park. This program will be an educational opportunity to meet a few of our scaly friends, as well as ask any questions you have about our native snakes, why they are vital to our ecosystem, and much more. $5 parking. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Monday, June 3, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jun 3, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Monday, June 10, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jun 10, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Start Smart - Introduction to Hiking and Hiking Safety
Saturday, Jun 15, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
No reservations until 1/1/24 This is a comprehensive program on the introductory topics of hiking, hiking gear, and hiking safety. Learn how to be confident in the great outdoors with the proper knowledge and equipment to keep you, and your friends safe. $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Monday, June 17, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jun 17, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Monday, June 24, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jun 24, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Monday, July 1, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jul 1, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Monday, July 8, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jul 8, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 
Tales of Scales Junior Ranger Camp
Monday, Jul 8, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This camp is for ages 8 - 11. This camp is a collaboration with Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm State Historic Site & Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area. Campers will spend 1 day at Anna Ruby Falls, 2 days at Smithgall Woods and 2 days Hardman Farm. Children will need appropriate outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes & their own lunch. $150. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Tales of Scales Junior Ranger Camp
Tuesday, Jul 9, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This camp is for ages 8 - 11. This camp is a collaboration with Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm State Historic Site & Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area. Campers will spend 1 day at Anna Ruby Falls, 2 days at Smithgall Woods and 2 days Hardman Farm. Children will need appropriate outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes & their own lunch. $150. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Tales of Scales Junior Ranger Camp
Wednesday, Jul 10, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This camp is for ages 8 - 11. This camp is a collaboration with Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm State Historic Site & Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area. Campers will spend 1 day at Anna Ruby Falls, 2 days at Smithgall Woods and 2 days Hardman Farm. Children will need appropriate outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes & their own lunch. $150. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Tales of Scales Junior Ranger Camp
Thursday, Jul 11, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This camp is for ages 8 - 11. This camp is a collaboration with Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm State Historic Site & Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area. Campers will spend 1 day at Anna Ruby Falls, 2 days at Smithgall Woods and 2 days Hardman Farm. Children will need appropriate outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes & their own lunch. $150. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Friday, July 12, 2024

Tales of Scales Junior Ranger Camp
Friday, Jul 12, 2024 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This camp is for ages 8 - 11. This camp is a collaboration with Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm State Historic Site & Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area. Campers will spend 1 day at Anna Ruby Falls, 2 days at Smithgall Woods and 2 days Hardman Farm. Children will need appropriate outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes & their own lunch. $150. 706-878-3087.
Tales of Scales Event 

Monday, July 15, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jul 15, 2024 until Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Pack it Up
Saturday, Jul 20, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This Backpacking program aims to teach the basics of backpacking, backpacking safety, finding trails, camping sites, and the gear necessities, (and the non-necessities). Learn what’s in a standard backpacking first-aid kit, what kinds of food to bring, proper leave-no-trace, and how to make backpacking the best kind of adventure it can be! $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Master Naturalist
Mondays 9 AM - 4 PM – Jul 22, 2024 
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This is an adult environmental educational program in cooperation with the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry. This course is 8 weeks long and involves both classroom lectures as well as hands-on activities. The curriculum consists of 48 hours of instruction taught by state and local experts in the natural and environmental sciences. $285 plus $5 parking. 706-878-4707.
Take Flight Event 

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Sunflowers & Selfies
Saturday, Aug 3, 2024 10 AM to 3 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
A much-awaited annual event, Sunflowers & Selfies, promises to deliver on a family-fun day of hayrides, games, photo ops, a native plant sale, and our blooming field of sunflowers. Learn about the park, from our knowledgeable guides, as you enjoy the beauty of Smithgall on a hayride or enjoy at your own pace. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.
Take Flight Event 

Saturday, August 24, 2024

Funky Fungi
Saturday, Aug 24, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join Smithgall Woods in welcoming Mycologist Brian Hale, who will share the ways people used mushrooms throughout history, how they are used today, and the interesting ways they may be used in the future. We will also take a short hike to observe and ID mushrooms Dress for the weather. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Edible and Medicinal Plants
Saturday, Sep 14, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This event is an introduction to foraging for edible and medicinal plants. Learn about the basic components of foraging, safe and ethical practices, and some common plants found in this region. Then, come on a guided hike to see what we can find. This is an excellent opportunity to begin your foraging journey. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Funky Fungi
Saturday, Sep 21, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join Smithgall Woods in welcoming Mycologist Brian Hale, who will share the ways people used mushrooms throughout history, how they are used today, and the interesting ways they may be used in the future. We will also take a short hike to observe and ID mushrooms Dress for the weather. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Halloween Haunted Hike
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 5 PM to 7:30 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
It's time to get your Spooky on! Come to Smithgall Woods for our annual Haunted Hike! Take a spooky hayride up to our Martins Mine trail, where we will go through the haunted history of North Georgia's Gold Rush. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Friday, November 29, 2024

Gobble Wobble
Friday, Nov 29, 2024 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Did you happen to Gobble until you Wobbled this Thanksgiving? Here is your chance to walk off a bit of those Turkey and stuffing gains! Join our Naturalist on a guided hike from the visitor's center to our covered bridge, and learn some fun facts about the park along the way! $45 or $50 if registration is paid after July 15. 706-878-3087.

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Happy Holiday Hike
Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join our Naturalist for a guided hike up to our covered bridge. Learn more about the park during the winter season, how native plants and animals cope, and some fun holiday lore along the way. After we get back to the visitor's center there will be hot cocoa and cookies to finish a wonderful morning! $5 parking. 706-878-4308 ext. 7.