Georgia's Unique State Park Is One Of Its Most Beautiful With Serene Landscapes

The best medicine for the stress of the everyday world is getting out into nature. According to a 2018 study published in Environmental Research, being in green spaces has all sorts of health benefits, including blood pressure reduction. There really is something to the phrase "touch grass." If you're looking for a place to do just that, it's worth a trip to northern Georgia to visit Cloudland Canyon State Park. Right on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this 3,538-acre park in Rising Fawn, Georgia, features serene landscapes, shimmering waterfalls, a 1,000-foot-deep gorge, and scenery to take your breath away. However, there is more to Cloudland Canyon than that. You'll also find campsites, cottages to rent, perfect picnic spots, disc golf, fishing, horse and bike trails, and miles of spectacular hiking paths. If leaf-peeping is on your agenda, the foliage in the park is wonderful as well. 

The park is roughly 35 miles from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Tennessee, or around 130 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (You're around the same distance from the Nashville International Airport, but it's in a different time zone, so keep that in mind.) As of this writing, it's $5 to park at Cloudland, and if you're camping, you only have to pay once. Tripadvisor reviewer @sherimM83PA said of the park, "Beautiful state park! Stayed 2 nights in cabin 7. Loved it! Screened porch with rocking chairs was heaven during an evening shower. Great hiking just behind our cabin. Incredible views of the canyon. On day 2 we did a hike down to a waterfall. Gorgeous!"

Cloudland Canyon State Park has some lovely hikes at all levels. If you're really experienced, you might want to try out the 2-mile round trip Waterfalls Trail. It goes down into the canyon to both Cherokee and Hemlock falls, and it can be pretty steep. Still, even the 600-step staircase is worth it to see this kind of beauty. If you're looking for something a bit easier, there is the (just under) Two-Mile Backcountry Loop with an easy slope down to a bubbling stream. 

A jewel in the hiking crown in this park, however, is the West Rim Loop Trail. It spans 2.5 miles, with a 262-foot elevation gain, and you may see some wildlife like foxes, deer, and turkeys, along with some gorgeous views. Dogs are allowed on a leash, and make sure you have good hiking shoes. This trail was named one of the best day hikes in the entire country by Backpacker Magazine, and it has views of Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls. It's an autumn foliage-viewing dream as well. 

If you want to extend your visit, Cloudland Canyon has plenty of options for camping. You can stay in one of its 18 cottages, 10 yurts, or 75 tent/trailer/RV campsites. There are also walk-in, pioneer, and backcountry campsites if that's more your speed. You can make reservations for any of them here. While you're hiking and camping, be aware that northern Georgia mountains do have black bears around, so make sure you know what to do in the unlikely event that you encounter a bear.

If you're looking for more to do, you can try your hand at fishing. There is a catfish-stocked pond at the end of the Meadowlands Trail, and you can even get a fishing pole for free at the Interpretive Center in the park on the weekends. You can catch and release during most of the year, or keep the fish you get from Labor Day through the end of the year. If you want to do some biking on the 30 miles of bike trails, you can rent bikes in the park for $35 for half a day and $55 for a full day, at the time of this writing. (You can also take a horse down the equestrian trails, but you have to bring your own.) If you're an experienced caver, caves are open during certain times of the year, but you need to have a permit and reservation. However, you can book a spot in the Sitton's Cave Guided Tours in April, June, July, September, and October for around $45 per person.

If you're visiting the area, Cloudland doesn't have to be your only stop. There are other outdoor adventures all around you. You're around 16 miles from one of the most visited natural attractions in Georgia, Rock City Gardens. And, while you're in the area, nearby Rising Fawn is home to Lookout Mountain Flight Park, where you can soar through the air on a hang glider or paraglider. It's just 10 minutes away from Cloudland Canyon State Park, so you can make a full day of it.