Located in far northwest Georgia and on the edge of Lookout Mountain, you’ll find an incredible state park that’s one of the most scenic natural areas in the state. This is a place where you can hike to stunning waterfalls and set up a campsite to sleep under the stars. And it looks and feels totally different depending on which season you visit!
Hiking in the Park
The canyon here straddles a gorge formed by Sitton Gulch Creek, and it offers beautiful views even from the easily accessible picnic areas. But to really explore this park, lace up your hiking boots and set out on a rim trail hike or down to the canyon floor via a series of staircases. Popular hiking routes include the 4.8-mile West Lim Loop, the 2-mile Waterfalls Trail, the 6.5-mile Sitton’s Gulch Trail, and the 2-mile Backcountry Loop. You can even bring your dog along to get in some exercise and quality time with you, but keep your furry friend on a leash for everyone’s safety.
Other Activities in Cloudland Canyon
In addition to hiking, you can also go fishing here, play disc golf, go horseback riding, and join a ranger-led interpretative program on weekends. The best mountain biking areas are at the Five Points Recreation Area and the Cloudland Connector Trail. Bike rentals are available for $35 for a half day or $55 for a full day if you don’t have your own bike with you.
Wild Cave Tours
There are also some fascinating wild caves that you can tour around here during certain times of the year. A local guide company that takes visitors through the caves is called G3 Adventures, but be prepared to get a bit wet and muddy if you sign up for one of the more adventurous tour options!
Camping and Park Amenities
For camping, there are 62 tent, trailer, and RV sites, as well as 16 cottages, 28 walk-in campsites, 10 yurts, 10 backcountry campsites, and 4 pioneer campsites. Some cottages are even dog-friendly if you don’t feel like roughing it with your pup in a tent. The park hours are 7am to 10pm, and the parking fee is $5 per vehicle. Wi-Fi is available in the visitor’s center, and there’s a gift shop and camper store here too.
A Fun Day Trip or Weekend Away from Atlanta
Cloudland Canyon State Park makes an excellent day trip for Atlanta to get in your outdoor fix or a weekend-long trip with your family or group of friends. Come experience it for yourself!
Cloudland Canyon State Park Information:
GPS Coordinates: N 34.8402630 | W -85.4828810
Phone Number: 706-657-4050
Website: http://gastateparks.org/cloudlandcanyon
