Georgia, the largest state east of the Mississippi River, offers tourists many natural vacation options: southern-style mountain magic, lavish rivers and waterfalls, fragrant forests and pristine Atlantic beaches, plus picturesque Georgian campgrounds and luxury Georgia RV camping resorts located in the middle of it all.
In the mountainous northwest corner of the “Peach State” in a frontier town called Rising Fawn, it doesn’t take long for travelers to discover Cloudland Canyon, a picturesque park that’s a favorite destination for hikers. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland’s elevation drops dramatically from nearly 2,000 feet above sea level at its upper rim to 800 feet at the forested base of the canyon. A huge gorge carved into the mountain by the waters of Sitton Gulch Creek cuts through the core of the park. Cloudland’s sheer sandstone cliffs, layered shale dotted with pine trees, forested canyon floor, and limestone valley floor provide visitors with a fascinating visual perspective into Georgia’s geological past. Well-marked trails take hikers in a loop around the high rim of the canyon, past two waterfalls on Daniel Creek, and into the rugged Cloudland backcountry.
Another gem in the North Georgia mountain region is Unicoi State Park, a 1,000-acre outdoor playground located just outside the alpine town of Helen. Unicoi presents opportunities for swimming, fishing, rowing, and boating. Consider the park’s 20 additional miles of scenic trails a nice perk for hikers and bikers. For waterfall enthusiasts, Anna Ruby Falls is accessible by trail and definitely worth seeing.
A quick trip south to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest provides a breath of fresh air, fresh water and wide open spaces for residents and visitors fleeing the bustle of metro Atlanta. . Just 25 miles north of downtown, this recreation area preserves a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River, as well as bubbling creeks, hiking trails, waterfalls, and a patch of Appalachian woodland. In addition to rafting, kayaking, and canoeing, the Chattahoochee Recreation Area offers an easy riverside hike on the Jones Bridge Trail and plenty of opportunities to view Georgia wildlife.
Central Georgia is graced by the Oconee National Forest, a 115,000-acre preserve of rolling green hills, lakes, rivers and wildlife that stretches between the cities of Athens and Macon. Forest lakes, Oconee, Hillsborough and Sinclair, and the gentle Oconee River are noted for excellent swimming, boating, canoeing and fishing. And for the hikers and horseback riders in your group, there are developed trails that pass through the ghost town of Scull Shoals, prehistoric Indian mounds, and the Ocmulgee River, where red-breasted sunfish are caught in the spring. The highest elevation in the Oconee National Forest, 645 feet above sea level, is reached via the Burgess Mountain Trail. US Highway 129 cuts through the center of the Oconee Forest, dividing the wooded landscape into two pleasant parts worth exploring.
A trip to Lumpkin in the southwestern part of the state takes nature lovers to the one-of-a-kind Providence Canyon State Conservation Park. Known as the “Little Grand Canyon of Georgia,” this recreation area features geological features that were accidentally formed 200 years ago by agriculture-related erosion. Sounds like a good example of how nature turns lemons into lemonade. The scalloped canyon walls in Providence display dramatic pastel shades of pink, purple, and orange, while the landscape is lit up with displays of southern wildflowers, including rarities like Plumleaf Azalea. For those who want to experience a touch of wilderness, there are three miles of hiking trails and seven miles of backpacking trails that wind through the rugged terrain.
Near Darien, on the southeast coast of Georgia, travelers find the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Sanctuary. Those arriving by ferry from Meridian may be lucky enough to see white-tailed deer, alligators, wild cows and loggerhead sea turtles nesting on the island’s sandy beaches or among its wax myrtles, pine trees and butterfly peas. Meanwhile, birders catch a glimpse of yellow-throated warblers, egrets, painted buntings, or any of the more than 200 feathered species. Lucky shell hunters won’t have to work too hard to uncover treasures like cockles, angel wings, and sand dollars.
A short drive up the Atlantic coast and a ferry ride from St. Mary’s, Georgia transports travelers to Cumberland Island National Seashore. Mossy oak forests, sparkling lakes, salt marshes, mudflats, tidal creeks, and miles of tranquil dunes and beaches delight Cumberland guests. And why not? It’s a national seashore, teeming with otters, bobcats, wild horses, armadillos, mink, and bottlenose dolphins. Sandy trails are everywhere, so bird watchers will find a wide variety of species, from songbirds and shorebirds to sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons. Surfcasting and freshwater fishing are allowed.
A trip to the southeastern corner of Georgia takes travelers to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area. This remarkable region encompasses a 700-square-mile stretch with the unique designation as the largest peat-producing swampy swamp in North America. How’s that for trivia? The sanctuary consists of islands of trees, lakes, wetlands, pine and cypress forests, scrublands and prairie grasslands where visitors hear the roar of alligators, the roar of black bears and the trumpet of sandhill cranes. Opportunities for boating, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife viewing are everywhere, and the extraordinary plant life, including carnivores (!), keep the scene interesting for swamp visitors. Georgia Campgrounds and Georgia RV Camping Resorts are close to all area attractions, but remember to make reservations, especially in the spring and fall months when Georgia Campgrounds are busiest.