The Best Adrenaline-Pumping Adventures in Georgia
Georgia is a playground for thrill seekers craving adrenaline-pumping experiences. From sprawling forests in the North Georgia mountains crisscrossed by rushing rivers and twisting trails to a blackwater swamp teeming with wildlife, Georgia’s diverse landscapes set the stage for unforgettable adventures.
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or looking to try something new, Georgia’s wealth of extreme sports and outdoor activities promises heart-pounding fun and awe-inspiring scenery. Start planning your next action-packed getaway and discover why Georgia is a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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ATV, off-roading, mountain biking & motorsports
Aerial & extreme sports
Some say it’s extreme to launch yourself off a cliff to hang glide where eagles soar, leap from a plane on a skydive, or test your balance on a maze of ropes suspended high into the forest canopy. Others say, “The higher, the better!” If you like to test your relationship with heights, check out these high-flying adventures in Georgia.
Hang gliding
Lookout Mountain Flight Park in Rising Fawn is the largest and most popular full-time hang gliding school and resort in the United States. You can take lessons and go on tandem flights with certified instructors. Hang gliders take off from the 1,340-foot-high McCarty's Bluff, and the flight park includes a 110-acre mountain resort with camping and lodging conveniently located in its landing zone.
Skydiving
If you can keep your eyes open after you jump out of the plane, you’ll love to take in Georgia’s stunning scenery on a skydive. Skydiving schools are located throughout the state and are ready to take you on your first tandem skydive or train you to go solo. If you’d like to go skydiving near Atlanta, head to Skydive Monroe in Monroe or Skydive Spaceland in Rockmart. Other options include Skydive Georgia in Cedartown (near the west Georgia border), Skydive Atlanta in Thomaston (west of Macon), and Jump Georgia in Sylvania (northeast of Savannah).
Ropes courses/adventure parks
For those drawn to elevated obstacles, Georgia boasts a collection of exciting ropes courses and adventure parks that challenge body, mind, and spirit.
One of the largest adventure parks in Georgia is Historic Banning Mills Resort in Whitesburg, which holds the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Zip Line Canopy Tour, with more than 100 zip lines totaling nearly 12 miles. Plan an extended stay in the resort’s lodge, cabins, or treehouses to spend days exploring all of the resort’s aerial challenges.
At Nacoochee Adventures in Helen, you can zip through the trees for hours in the North Georgia forest, navigate rope bridges and obstacles on the challenge course, and free fall on a giant swing. Camp out in treehouses or rustic wagons, or book a cozy cabin to recover from your high-flying adventures.
More to explore:
- Blue Ridge Adventure Park in Blue Ridge
- Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures at Unicoi State Park in Helen
- Lakeside Zip Line Adventure Course at Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain
- Treetop Adventure at Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain
- Treetop Quest in Dunwoody and Gwinnett
ATV, off-roading, mountain biking & motorsports
Would you prefer to get your wheels dirty on the trails? The state’s off-roading, mountain biking, and BMX tracks provide plenty of terrain to test your skills, from beginner-friendly paths to expert-level downhill runs.
Bring your ATV, UTV, 4x4, dirt bike, Jeep, or other off-road vehicle to Iron Mountain Park in Dahlonega to ride more than 150 miles of scenic routes in the North Georgia mountains. If you don’t own a machine, choose from among a full fleet of rentals that come with all the gear you need to hit the trails safely. Routes range from mild to wild to suit any style. Book a cabin or campsite to stay close to the trails so you don’t lose a minute of riding time.
For a rustic retreat that caters to mountain bikers, stay at Mulberry Gap in Ellijay, just two hours north of Atlanta. Surrounded by the Cohutta Wilderness Area and Chattahoochee National Forest, riders have access to rugged trails like Pinhoti, Bear Creek, and Windy Gap. At the end of a long day of riding, relax in cozy cabins with hot tubs, family-style meals, and campfire camaraderie.
More to explore:
- ATV/UTV Tours at Sunburst Adventures in Clarkesville
- Blue Ridge Mountain Outfitters in Blairsville
- Blue Mountain Bikes in Blue Ridge
- Eco-Spider ATV Tours at Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg
- Peachtree City BMX in Peachtree City
- Sandy Ridge BMX Track in McDonough
- Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails at Old Rope Mill Park in Woodstock
Caving
If exploring underground worlds sounds like your kind of thrill, Georgia’s unique caves offer caving enthusiasts a chance to delve into fascinating subterranean landscapes.
At Cloudland Canyon State Park in Rising Fawn, you can take a ranger-led tour of Sitton’s Cave. The undeveloped cave rewards explorers with incredible sights like an underground river, athletic challenges like crawling through spaces three feet high, and muddy clothes. Experienced cavers can explore Sitton’s Cave on their own, as well as Case Cave, which requires the use of harnesses and rope, and contains 3 miles of passageway and a lake. Caving at Cloudland Canyon is limited to April, June, July, September, and October.
Pettyjohn’s Cave in the Crockford Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Lafayette is another well-known destination for cavers. It contains 6.5 miles of underground trails and reaches a depth of 235 feet. Explore large underground rooms, and crawl on your hands and knees through the 150-foot Worm Tube, one of the cave’s most popular features.
Remote camping & overnight adventures
For those who crave the serenity of the great outdoors mixed with a sense of isolation, remote camping in Georgia’s wilderness allows you to unplug and experience the state's wild beauty firsthand.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has seven camping platforms and two islands accessible only by boat. Campers pack a canoe or kayak and paddle up to 12 miles before setting up camp in the swamp. Each platform is partially covered by a roof and has a picnic table or shelf for cooking, and a pit toilet. Some are built over the open water, offering amazing views for sunsets, sunrises, and stargazing.
The Len Foote Hike Inn in Dawsonville is accessible only by foot over a 5-mile trail that originates at the top of Amicalola Falls. At the end of your journey, relax in the rustic lodge, which features rooms with bunk beds with pillows, blankets, a heater for warmth, and a fan for summer. Enjoy family-style dining, a game room loaded with family-friendly board games and puzzles, and a clean bath house. Guests may end the adventure with a hike back to the falls, or continue on the approach to the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain.
More to explore:
- Backcountry campsites at Providence Canyon State Park
- Paddle-in campsites at Reed Bingham and High Falls state parks
- Wilderness campsites on Cumberland Island
Water adventures
Georgia’s rushing rivers offer world-class whitewater rafting, while its lakes and reservoirs are perfect for wakeboarding and paddleboarding adventures.
Brave the rapids on the Chattooga River in Clayton with Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center, where the excitement doesn’t end when you reach the shore. After your river journey, you can add on zip line canopy tours, stand-up paddleboarding, high and low ropes courses, and more. With whitewater rafting trips that are perfect for first-timers and families and even overnight trips, you’re sure to find thrills that suit your appetite for adventure. Make a vacation out of your trip by staying within walking distance at a cabin, cottage, or treehouse.
Have you ever gone wakeboarding without a boat? You can at Terminus Wake Park in Emerson, where cables tow thrill-seekers across lakes designed for everyone from beginners to pros. No board? No problem! Rent everything you need for an amazing time on the water. When you’re done, play on the inflatable obstacle course on the water full of slips and slides, trampolines, swings, and balance beams.
More to explore:
- Nantahala Outdoor Center Chattooga Outpost in Clayton
- Rolling Thunder River Company in McCaysville
- Southeastern Expeditions in Clayton
- Whitewater Express in Columbus
