Wild Georgia Events

Smithgall Woods State Park


Thursday, January 1, 2026

First Day Hike: Duke's Creek Falls Hike
Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 1 PM to 3 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Start your New Year's resolution off right! This hike will begin at the Visitor's Center, and we will make a pit stop approximately 1.3 miles away at our primitive cabin. There, by a toasty fire, you can warm yourself against the winter chill. If you are feeling adventurous, you can then continue an additional 1.2 miles to Duke's Creek Falls. Parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
First Day Hike Event 
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Saturday, January 17, 2026

Icy Martins Mine Hike
Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join Smithgall Woods’ Naturalist for a chilly guided hike. Learn about the mining history of the park, evident on Martins Mine trail while enjoying the brisk winter air, and enjoying the small waterfall found at the end of the trail. Parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Homeschool Day - Birds and Worms
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
*No reservations until December 1st* This program is for individual Homeschool parents and is appropriate for children aged 4-7. Join Smithgall’s Naturalist for a fun program on all things birds and worms! Learn about what different birds eat, how they find their food, and how their food stays hidden through an interactive game. $5 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Homeschool Day - Oh Deer
Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
*No reservations until January 1st* This Program is for individual Homeschool families, and is appropriate for children aged 7-12 Join Smithgall's Naturalist to learn about the white tail deer, what makes up their ideal habitat, and how they survive through an up-close look and an interactive outdoor game. $5 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, February 21, 2026

Living with Bears
Saturday, Feb 21, 2026 10 AM to 11 AM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Have you ever questioned what to do if you encountered a bear? Join Smithgall & Tom Hennigan, Associate Professor of Biology at Truett-McConnell University, for a 1-hour presentation focusing on bear behavior, vocalizations, types of bears, hibernation and more. All ages are welcome. $5.00 per person parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, March 14, 2026

Edible Plant Hike
Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join Dr. Hennigan on a guided walk to learn about just a few of the wild foods that are all around you! Hennigan is a avid forager and herbalist with decades of experience. This hike will be of moderate difficulty of under 2 miles. Parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Homeschool Day - Orienteering
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026 10 AM to 11 AM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
This program is intended for Homeschool families and is geared towards children aged 8-13 Join Smithgall's Naturalist to learn the basics of using a compass and navigation before testing your new skills in a fun game! This program does take place 100% outside, so please bring water and dress for the weather. $5 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, March 28, 2026

Edible and Medicinal Plants
Saturday, Mar 28, 2026 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 parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, April 25, 2026

Art in the Park
Saturday, Apr 25, 2026 10 AM to 1 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Join our fellow watercolorists of all ages and skill levels, as we learn to paint some of the beautiful landscapes found in Smithgall Woods. This class will focus on painting water and stones. $15 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
Wild Georgia Event 
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Saturday, August 1, 2026

Sunflowers & Selfies
Saturday, Aug 1, 2026 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 photo contest, 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 parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Sunday, August 2, 2026

Sunflowers & Selfies
Sunday, Aug 2, 2026 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 photo contest, 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 parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, August 8, 2026

Sunflowers & Selfies
Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 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 photo contest, 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 parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Sunday, August 9, 2026

Sunflowers & Selfies
Sunday, Aug 9, 2026 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 photo contest, 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 parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, August 22, 2026

Fall Edible Plant Hike
Saturday, Aug 22, 2026 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Come to Smithgall Woods to learn all about what you can be munching on in the fall. This program consists of 1 hour of indoor class time, before we head out on a short hike to see what we can find! Learn about the difference between edible, medicinal, and supplemental plants, and what can be foraged ethically in the Southern Blueridge region. $5 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, October 17, 2026

Halloween Haunted Hike
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 5 PM to 7 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. $10 plus parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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Friday, November 27, 2026

Gobble Wobble
Friday, Nov 27, 2026 10 AM to 12 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 primitive cabin, and learn some fun facts about the park along the way! $5. 706-878-3087.
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Saturday, December 12, 2026

Festive Hike
Saturday, Dec 12, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Smithgall Woods State Park - Helen, GA
Come on a guided hike to Smithgall Wood’s Chunanee Falls Trail this Holiday season! Learn about the origins or our favorite Christmas traditions and how they're still practiced and celebrated today. Parking fee required. 706-878-3087.
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