Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Photo by @billrubino

Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia thrills visitors with rugged geology and beautiful vistas. Photo by @billrubino

Scenic Adventures at Cloudland Canyon State Park

Discover sweeping vistas, waterfalls and rugged beauty when you explore one of Georgia's most spectacular parks.

Nestled in Georgia's northwest corner near Trenton, Cloudland Canyon State Park offers up paradise on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. The location offers easy access to Rock City Gardens, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, and several sites along the Chieftains Trail.

The scenic park charms visitors with diverse activities and a range of overnight accommodations. It's easy to fill a day or a week with fun and adventure in the great outdoors of Cloudland Canyon.

Hike to waterfalls at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia
Hike to waterfalls at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Photo by @asipoftee

Hiking

More than 60 miles of hiking trails lead visitors along enchanting passages surrounded by intriguing rock formations, mammoth hardwoods, and phenomenal overlooks from Lookout Mountain. 

Cloudland Canyon State Park Hiking Trails

  • Overlook Trail is perfect for beginners, at just 1 mile, it's relatively flat surface leads to one of the park's most iconic view points.
  • Meadowlands Trail is great for those looking for a moderate adventure and who love a little history: It passes through a former homestead.
  • The 5-mile moderately strenuous West Rim Loop highlights the beauty of Georgia's northwest region on one of the nation's most scenic hiking trails. The loop tours the wooded rim, offering several mountain views before descending into the canyon.
  • Waterfalls Trail, though only 2 miles round-trip, is strenuous — but the payoff comes with magnificent Cherokee and Hemlock waterfall views.
  • The 6.5-mile strenuous Sitton's Gulch trail, which descends deep into the heart of the canyon for a look at the waterfalls, comes with a fun perk: Cloudland Canyon State Park is the northernmost feature in Georgia's Canyon Climbers Club. Join the club and earn a souvenir by descending the staircases of Sitton's Gulch. Hikers also share the trail with mountain bikers for 14 miles on the Cloudland Connector.

Find other hiking trails in Cloudland Canyon.

Woman overlooking Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, Georgia
Woman overlooking Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Photo by @warwomanrunner

Biking

Cloudland Connector Trails and 5 Points Recreation Area offer more than 30 miles of mountain-biking singletrack, e-bikes and multi-use trails. The interconnected network is well-balanced with machine-cut trails ranging from beginner to advanced. Skilled bikers catch air on Slickenslide, challenge the rock gardens of Caprock, and navigate the tricky abandoned coal mine of Tailings Run. Fun rides for beginners include the relatively level Shale Flats, flowing Peace Can Trail, and the rolling hillside on Mick's Trail.

Bikes can be rented right at the park for those who didn't travel with one.

Overhead view of a yurt at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Photo by @ndb_1
Camping options at Cloudland Canyon State Park include 10 yurts near the West Rim Trail. Photo by @ndb_1

Cloudland Camping, Glamping & Cottages

Overnight stays at Cloudland Canyon come in a range of roughing it. Park amenities certainly give glamping guests the comforts of home while offering spacious, walk-in sites to the hardcore campers. Furnished cottages near the hub of park activities feature separate bedrooms, kitchens, full baths and TV.

The relaxing yurt village consists of a playground, bathroom facilities and 10 unique yurts. With open floor plans, heat and bunk beds, yurts offer a more rustic feel a short distance from the scenic West Rim Trail.

RVs and car campers enjoy two modern, shaded campgrounds that include water and electricity for each site.

Hike-in backcountry backpackers can choose from 13 secluded primitive campsites along a 2-mile loop through a hemlock grove.

Dog at a waterfall at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia
Dog at a waterfall at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Photo by @chasingadventureswithbiscuit

Accessibility at Cloudland Canyon

The park offers an All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair, a high-mobility wheelchair that can cross difficult terrain so those with mobility impairments can see the park's sights. Reservations are required.

Visitors can also reserve Enchroma Glasses, which help those with color blindness see a great range of colors. The display of fall colors at Cloudland has been said to be a magical experience for those seeing it through these lenses. 

More Things to Do

In addition to hiking and biking among the mountain landscapes, guests enjoy days filled with fun and games. Scattered all over the park, more than 10 geocaches challenge treasure-hunting guests. A disc golf course featuring 18 baskets weaves through fields and forest, and several playgrounds are located throughout the park. There's also:

 

 

Written by: Candy Cook

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