What to do in Cloudland Canyon State Park
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The best way to see the park’s canyons, some of which run a thousand feet deep, is to trek on one of the 64 miles of hiking trails. There are trails to suit all abilities: the Overlook Trail is short, the West Rim Loop is classed as ‘moderate,’ and the Waterfalls Trail is suitable for those who enjoy more of a challenge. Cloudland Canyon is known for its water features and Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls can be seen on the waterfalls trail. If you’re with the family, you could even try finding some of the park’s geocaches.
To cover more ground in the park and find less-crowded views, rent a mountain bike and cycle on the 14-mile Cloudland Connector Trail and the 5 Points Recreation Area, which is a converted coal mine that now features miles of single track trails to suit beginners all the way through to advanced riders. The connector trail is also a great place to go trail running and horseback riding. For the more adventurous, there is a climbing club that you can join to scale the canyons and tours of the caves can be arranged via reservation. The best way to enjoy all of these activities and more is to stay in the park overnight.
Where to stay in Cloudland Canyon
The Cloudland Canyon State Park covers 3,538 glorious acres, so there is somewhere to stay that will appeal to everyone. On the West and East Rims are 16 cottages which are furnished and have all the comforts of home. If you want a glamping experience, there are 10 yurts in a village on the West Rim. For those who have their own vehicle, there are 75 premium campsite spaces which have electricity hook-ups and space for an RV. Hikers who want to get back to nature can set up camp in one of the 30 tent-only campsites, and for those who really enjoy roughing it, there are also 13 backcountry and primitive campsite locations.
If you’re coming with friends, there is a group lodge that you can rent which sleeps 40 people. Many of these accommodations are bookable in advance on the state parks website, which has a handy map to show you how far you’ll need to hike to get to your choice of lodging. The park is close to Rock City at Lookout Mountain which is another gorgeous place to stay and catch gorgeous fall foliage views. As Georgia is such a scenic state, it is difficult to find anywhere to stay that doesn’t have access to a view to remember.
