Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

What Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites does

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is the state-parks division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, founded in 1931 and headquartered at 2610 Highway 155 SW in Stockbridge, Georgia. It operates 59 parks and historic sites spanning more than 100,000 acres across diverse ecosystems ranging from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Okefenokee Swamp to Atlantic barrier islands and coastal salt marshes. The portfolio also includes 1,700+ years of recorded history represented through Indian mounds, Civil War sites, and plantation-era properties. The entity serves Georgia residents and out-of-state visitors seeking affordable outdoor recreation and cultural experiences, with customer segments spanning day visitors, overnight guests, school groups, group event organizers, and commercial film productions.

The commercial product set is anchored by two pass systems — a $10 daily / $70 annual ParkPass for vehicle parking (with senior and military discounts) and a $25-$50 Historic Site Annual Pass — alongside a broad accommodation inventory including campsites (RV, tent, primitive), cottages, yurts, camper cabins, pioneer camps, and group shelters. Bookings flow through the third-party ReserveAmerica platform, phone reservations (1-800-864-7275), on-site park offices, and the RA Camping mobile app, with reservations open up to 13 months in advance (14 months for Georgia residents). Supplementary revenue streams include film and commercial photography permits ($200 processing fee plus location fees), specialty license plates, a commemorative America's 250th ParkPass, and a free Junior Ranger youth-education program operating across all 59 sites.

Revenue is generated through user fees, accommodation rentals, and event/group bookings, but as a state government entity the division is primarily funded through legislative appropriations rather than commercial sales. No proprietary technology stack is disclosed; operations rely on standard third-party platforms (ReserveAmerica, GovDelivery, Bluetoad). Marketing is conducted through a multi-channel approach including the gastateparks.org website, monthly e-newsletters, Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, an annual print Park Guide, and earned media from major film productions (The Hunger Games, A Walk in the Woods, Vampire Diaries, Ken Burns documentaries). Operational capacity is augmented by a broad network of more than 15 institutional partners including Friends of Georgia State Parks (50+ chapters), Georgia Forestry Commission, University of Georgia, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Power, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Name

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Legal name

Georgia Department of Natural Resources - State Parks & Historic Sites Division

Website

https://gastateparks.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is the state-parks division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, operating 59 parks and historic sites across 100,000+ acres. It serves day visitors, overnight guests, school groups, event organizers, and film productions through ParkPass sales, Historic Site passes, and accommodation rentals booked via ReserveAmerica.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Parks & Recreation

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Historical Sites (71212), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Historical Sites (712120), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Park Campgrounds & Public Campgrounds (THAMAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA), Campgrounds & RV Parks (Developed Sites) (THAGAOAA), Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• State park recreation
• Historic site preservation
• Outdoor accommodations
• Park reservations
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockbridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. ParkPass Sales: Daily ($10) and annual ($70) parking passes for state parks. Daily passes valid for day of purchase at multiple parks; annual passes valid 12 months from purchase date.
2. Historic Site Pass Sales: Annual Historic Site passes: $50 family (up to 4), $30 adult, $25 student. Single-day tickets available only on-site.
3. Accommodation Rentals: Revenue from cottages, yurts, camper cabins, pioneer camps, and group shelters. Cottages require 2-night minimum typically; 3-night minimum for holiday weekends.
4. Campsite Fees: RV, tent, and primitive camping sites with electric hookups. Fees vary by site type and length of stay. Maximum 14 consecutive days per park.
5. Film/Photography Permits: Commercial film applications charged $200 processing fee plus location fees based on project scale. Fees support park operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites operates a statewide network of 59 parks and historic sites spanning over 100,000 acres across Georgia. The Division sells vehicle parking passes (ParkPass), historic site admission passes, and overnight accommodation reservations (campsites, cottages, yurts, pioneer camps, group shelters), and rents venues for weddings, reunions, retreats, and commercial film/photography shoots. Educational programs such as Junior Ranger are provided at no cost to support environmental and cultural learning.

Product overview

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is a government service operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The primary offering is a network of state parks and historic sites with associated recreation services. The main products include the ParkPass (vehicle parking permit system at $10 daily or $70 annual), the Historic Site Annual Pass (admission passes to historic sites), and an online reservation system for campsites, cottages, yurts, and group shelters via ReserveAmerica. Additional programs include the free Junior Ranger Program for children and an E-Newsletter subscription service. The website serves as the central portal for park information, reservations, activities, field trips, and educational resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ParkPass Vehicle parking pass for Georgia State Parks, available as a daily pass ($10 per vehicle) valid on the day of purchase at multiple parks, or as an annual pass ($70) valid for 12 months from purchase. Senior discount (62+) of 50% off and military/veteran discount of 25% off annual passes are available. Overnight guests pay the daily ParkPass fee only once per vehicle during their stay. Not valid at state historic sites, which require separate admission.
• Historic Site Annual Pass Annual admission pass providing unlimited entry to all Georgia state historic sites for normal admissions. Available as Family ($50, up to 4 people), Adult ($30, 1 adult 18+), or Student ($25, 1 person under 18 or college student with valid I.D.). Does not include special events and excludes Jefferson Davis Memorial, Lapham-Patterson House, and Robert Toombs House. Single-day tickets are available only on-site.
• Campground and Cottage Reservations Overnight accommodation bookings across RV, tent, and primitive campsites with electric hookups, as well as cottages, yurts, camper cabins, pioneer camps, and group shelters. Reservations are available up to 13 months in advance (14 months for Georgia residents) through the ReserveAmerica platform and the RA Camping mobile app. Cottages typically require a 2-night minimum (3 nights on holiday weekends), and a maximum of 14 consecutive days per park is permitted. Dog-friendly cottages are available at a $50 per dog fee (limit 2 dogs).
• Group Venue and Gathering Rentals Scenic outdoor venues and group shelters rented for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, and group camping events across the state park system. A 50% deposit is required for reservations 15 or more days in advance, with the balance due at check-in; full payment is required for bookings 14 days or less out. Cancellation fees apply: $10 for campsites 8+ days out, $10 for cottages 15+ days out, and $50 for group camps 181+ days out.
• Film and Photography Permits Permitting program for commercial filming, television production, and commercial photography at Georgia State Parks. Applications are charged a $200 processing fee plus location fees scaled to project size, with revenue supporting park operations. The Division has hosted major productions including The Hunger Games, A Walk in the Woods, Vampire Diaries, and Ken Burns' PBS documentaries.
• Junior Ranger Program Free educational program offered at all 59 parks and historic sites, providing site-specific activity books and badges. Children complete missions to learn about nature, wildlife, and Georgia's history, with an accompanying eRanger learning program.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Friends of Georgia State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide nonprofit organization with over 50 local chapters. Partners to promote and preserve Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. Raises awareness of economic and intrinsic values of Georgia's natural and cultural treasures. Works with state and community leaders on protection and maintenance. At local level, chapters support individual park projects and programs.
• Georgia Natural Resources FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Logo partner on Georgia State Parks website footer.
• Georgia Forestry CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for hemlock wooly adelgid control through chemical injection treatment on trees. Also partners on invasive species management projects and monitoring of predatory species such as sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, Asian long horned beetle, and emerald ash borer.
• University of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UGA on hemlock conservation through chemical injection treatment. Also home to UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium near Skidaway Island State Park.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContract arrangement through Vegetative Management Services Section providing arborist services, tree crews, emergency equipment and certified operators 24/7 statewide. Services include emergency storm clean-up, bush hogging, land clearing, aerial herbicide application, and invasive species control training.
• USDA Wildlife ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual contractual agreement for wildlife management services. Partners in deer reduction programs at Red Top Mountain. Provides lethal control of beavers, nuisance animals, and re-locates 150+ Canada Geese annually from swimming beaches and day-use areas. Assisted in removing wildlife predators endangering gopher tortoises at Reed Bingham State Park.
• The Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Interagency Burn Team (IBT) sharing staff and equipment resources across agency lines to assist with prescribed burns.
• Prescribed Fire CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Interagency Burn Team (IBT) sharing staff and equipment resources across agency lines for prescribed fire operations.
• Jones Ecological CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Interagency Burn Team (IBT) sharing staff and equipment resources across agency lines for prescribed fire operations.
• U.S. Forest ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Interagency Burn Team (IBT) sharing staff and equipment resources across agency lines for prescribed fire operations.
• Wildlife Resources DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for deer population management since 2003. WRD Game Management section conducts deer density surveys using population modeling based on annual harvest data to predict herd densities.
• National Fish and Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded two significant ecosystem restoration grants: The Power of Flight at Panola Mountain (15-acre bird habitat creation) and Long Leaf Pine Restoration at Reed Bingham, General Coffee, Magnolia Springs, and George L. Smith state parks.
• Arabia Mountain National Heritage AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership among state of Georgia, DeKalb, Henry and Rockdale counties, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, and numerous communities and public-private partners. Panola Mountain State Park is a crown jewel of this National Heritage Area.
• America's State ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate organization connecting state parks systems nationwide. Logo partner on Georgia State Parks website.
• Explore GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia's official tourism marketing organization. Logo partner on Georgia State Parks website. Co-marketing to promote Georgia outdoor destinations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kampgrounds of America (KOA): Largest U.S. private campground franchise system with 500+ locations including campgrounds, RV parks, and cabins. Competes directly for RV and tent-camper overnight stays but operates on a commercial model across multiple states.
• U.S. National Park Service: Federal operator of the U.S. National Park System. While a federal rather than state entity, it competes for outdoor recreation visitation in Georgia (e.g., Kennesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee, Cumberland Island) and offers the most direct overlapping product (park access, camping, historic site visitation).

Direct peers

• Tennessee State Parks: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation division operating state parks, historic sites, and campgrounds with comparable reservation and accommodation infrastructure. Closely aligned peer in scale and operating model.
• Florida State Parks: Operates a comparable statewide network of state parks, historic sites, and campgrounds under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with similar pass, campsite, and accommodation revenue models. Direct analog operating in a different geography within the same state-park system category.
• North Carolina State Parks: Operates a network of state parks, recreation areas, and natural areas across North Carolina with similar reservation, accommodation, and pass systems. Direct public-sector peer in the same regional category.
• Texas State Parks: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates an 80+ park network with day-use passes, overnight accommodations, and historic sites — directly comparable in scale, business model, and government-agency structure to Georgia State Parks.
• South Carolina State Parks: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism manages a comparable park system including coastal, mountain, and historic sites. Direct public-sector peer serving a geographically adjacent Southeast market.

Others

• ReserveAmerica: Third-party reservation platform used by Georgia State Parks for campsites, cottages, yurts, and group shelters. Serves as enabling infrastructure and is also the same provider for many peer state park systems, creating a common technological dependency.
• America's State Parks: National nonprofit affiliate organization connecting U.S. state park systems. Logo partner of Georgia State Parks and provides a collective marketing, advocacy, and benchmarking platform relevant to its scale and operations.
• Explore Georgia: Georgia's official state tourism marketing organization and current logo partner. Adjacent ecosystem participant that channels demand into Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites through co-marketing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gastateparks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/gastateparks
• Facebookfacebook.com/georgiastateparks
• Instagraminstagram.com/gastateparks
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gastateparks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wormsloe-state-historic-sites

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites