ATLANTA -- Georgia’s forests have turned into a brilliant blanket of red, orange and gold, inspiring leaf peepers to pull out their cameras and lace up their hiking boots. To help track the changing leaves and plan autumn escapes, Georgia’s State Parks launched Leaf Watch 2008 beginning October 1 at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Whether traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking and biking, or heading south for canoeing and camping, Leaf Watch 2008 offers advice on where and when to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Visitors can read regular updates provided by park rangers, get safety tips for hiking and camping, and learn why leaves change color. Last-minute availability for campsites, cottages and lodge rooms at the state parks will be posted, in addition to a Webcam showcasing the rolling mountainside of Black Rock Mountain State Park near Dillard.

Typically, northern Georgia peaks in late October; however, color can be seen as early as September and as late as mid-November. Some parks in southern Georgia put on a pretty display during late autumn, particularly those with cypress trees and tea-colored swamps.

“North Georgia’s mountains are a spectacular place to see Mother Nature’s handiwork, and our state parks attract visitors from all over the Southeast,” said State Park Director Becky Kelley, “But I like to remind people that southern Georgia has some beautiful fall color as well. Cypress and tupelo trees found in parks such as Reed Bingham, George L. Smith and Stephen C. Foster sometimes turn brilliant orange toward the end of the season.”

Of Georgia’s 48 state parks, six of the most popular for leaf watching include Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Tallulah Gorge, Unicoi and Vogel. For quieter getaways, visitors may want to explore lesser-known parks, which can be just as vibrant. Providence Canyon State Park, frequently called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” has hiking trails and unusual scenery. Watson Mill Bridge State Park, near Athens, boasts a scenic picnic area beside the state’s longest covered bridge. Beautiful hardwoods, boulders and creeks can be found on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park near Columbus.

Georgia has 63 state parks and historic sites, providing affordable “staycations” to its residents and a not-so-far-away mountain escape for Floridians. Park officials advise visitors to make overnight reservations as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for mountain cottages to be reserved 11 months in advance, and many campgrounds fill up early on pretty weekends. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-864-7275 or by going online at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.