Fall gets all the mountain hype, but I’ll argue this every time: spring deserves just as much love. You get the same sweeping views, minus the peak-season crowds, with days that are warm (but not too warm) and nights that still feel refreshingly cool. And after another unpredictable Georgia winter that can’t seem to make up its mind and delivered us all four seasons in one week, we’re more than ready to see flowers bloom and the landscape come back to life.
That springtime craving for fresh air and views is exactly why you should add a road trip (or, if you can, a weekend getaway) to Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, just shy of the Tennessee line. Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest and most scenic parks in Georgia and is home to thousand-foot deep canyons, cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wildlife, mountain biking, horseback riding and more.
While we’d love to opt for a whole weekend in North Georgia, that’s not always possible. Luckily, even a day trip delivers. The park is known for its dramatic overlooks and waterfall hikes and it doesn’t waste time getting to the good stuff. The West Rim Loop Trail is a favorite (5 miles round trip, moderately strenuous) and was ranked by Backpacker Magazine as One of the Top 10 Hikes in the United States. It offers the type of views that make it hard to believe you’re still in Georgia.
For an easier trail for beginners and children, the Overlook Trail (1 mile roundtrip, easy) runs along the rim of Cloudland Canyon for approximately a ½ mile and you can hike down to Main Overlook, arguably the best view in the park. The Waterfalls Trail (1.8 mile roundtrip, strenuous) involves 600 stairs one way, but after the stairs, you’re rewarded with the sight of Cherokee Falls after ½ mile and then Hemlock Falls about ½ mile further down the canyon. The quantity of water over the falls varies greatly from month to month, but, in general, winter and early spring offer the greatest flow, so it’s perfect to add to your itinerary for your spring visit.
If you can swing a weekend, even better. Staying nearby lets you slow the pace, soak it all in and truly unwind. While there’s plenty of Airbnbs, yurts and campsites to choose from, I stayed at the brand new Cloudland Canyon Resort just minutes from the park. The panoramic mountain view from the pool alone makes it worth the stay. It’s the perfect place to reward yourself after a day on the trails and a strong argument for turning your day trip into a weekend getaway.
To add a unique activity for our DiG readers who double as adrenaline junkies, add Lookout Mountain Flight Park to your itinerary. Known as the largest and most popular full-time hang gliding school and resort in the country, it’s one of Rising Fawn’s most unexpected experiences. Hang gliders launch from 1,340-foot McCarty’s Bluff, soaring above the valley below. Certified instructors lead tandem flights and lessons, making it the perfect activity for adventure lovers.
Know Before You Go
- Go early to beat the crowds (and the heat) with a morning start.
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes : waterfall hikes mean stairs… lots of them.
- Stay the night: The Cloudland Canyon Resort makes turning a day trip into a weekend easy and the view from the pool makes the entire stay worth it.
- Bring layers: Mountain weather, much like Georgia weather, does what it wants.
- Watch the skies: Hang gliding at Lookout Mountain Flight Park is weather-dependent and worth checking before you go.