3 Epic Georgia Road Trips to Do this Fall
Be prepared for jaw-dropping views, tons of fun and gorgeous fall foliage on these Georgia road trips!
Get out of town and head to to Tallulah Gorge, Cloudland Canyon and Historic Banning Mills to take in the sights, food and incredible places to stay in north and west Georgia.
Tallulah Gorge in the northeast Georgia mountains is a great place to go on a day hike. The trail to the floor of the gorge is several hundred steps in each direction but worth the trip. Look carefully and you might see the bald eagles that call the gorge home. Kids will especially love Tallulah Gorge State Park’s visitor center, which houses a mini museum dedicated to the wildlife of North Georgia.
Visit Tallulah Gorge State Park
Stay
- If you want to camp at Tallulah Gorge, get your reservations early as there are only 50 spots.
- For less rustic accommodations, make a reservation at The Dillard House, which is famous for its family-style Southern cooking.
- Or, stay at the historic Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant, a bed and breakfast inn.
Visit
- Adults can do wine tastings at nearby Tiger Mountain Vineyards and Stonewall Creek Vineyards.
- The Tiger Drive-In is an entertaining way to spend an evening regardless of age.
On the way, stop here
Jaemor Farms is the perfect spot to stop in Alto and enjoy Georgia's homegrown crops. Pick up your pumpkin for Halloween, find apples for pies and apple cider doughnuts, or discover other locally made products sold in this plus-sized farm stand.
Extend your stay
In addition to leaf peeping, check out these nearby historic sites:
- Traveler's Rest State Historic Site in Toccoa
- Hardman Farm State Historic Site in Sautee Nacoochee
Even if you're not into hiking, Cloudland Canyon State Park has plenty to discover. Unlike leaf watching on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a visit to the park encourages visitors to get out of their cars and explore the land.
Visit Cloudland Canyon State Park
Stay
- Cloudland Canyon has 62 campsites, 10 yurts, 16 cottages and one group lodge available for rent. You can reserve yours online via www.GAStateParks.org.
- If you don’t want to stay on-site, book a cabin at Hidden Hollow Resort, which is just down the road from the park.
Visit
- Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is nearby and features monuments, cannons, hiking trails, rock climbing, paddling, picnicking, bike paths and horseback riding trails.
- Travel new trails and explore the Lula Lake Land Trust, where you can see proper fall foliage and the Lula Lake Falls.
- Adventure-seekers can see the canopy from high in the sky when they hang glide at Lookout Mountain.
On the way, stop here
- If you're heading to Cloudland Canyon from the south, stop by the Cedartown Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia. Think of it as a mini World of Coca-Cola.
Extend your stay
- Visit Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Rossville for good, clean, family-friendly fun.
- Get a view of seven states from Rock City Gardens.
Located just an hour and a half from Atlanta, Banning Mills is Georgia's high altitude playground. Plan to spend your day above the tree line taking in the fall foliage from the air via "The Longest Hiking Suspension Bridge in North America," a 10-mile long zip line park, a 100-foot power freefall, and the World’s Tallest Freestanding climbing wall.
Stay
- The treehouses at Banning Mills sit 70 feet above a rushing gorge and are tucked away in the trees for an unobstructed view of the changing season. They offer many of the same creature comforts of cabins, including a Jacuzzi tub, coffee machine and fireplace for guests to enjoy.
- For more traditional accommodations, book a room at the Banning Mills Historic Country Inn.
- For a more rustic experience, book a campsite at the nearby Chattahoochee Bend State Park or the Banning Mills RV and Camping Park.
Visit
- If you're a fan of "The Walking Dead," you won’t want to miss out seeing where key scenes are filmed in Senoia.
- Explore the shops, restaurants and events at nearby Serenbe, a wellness community full of fresh food, fresh air and focused on wellbeing.
