Exploring Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park has been on my bucket list for Georgia hikes for some time now. Between seeing its waterfalls on random influencer Instagram posts and reading about its many miles of trails, I knew I needed to check it out.
Cloudland Canyon: A History
During the Great Depression, there were signs of Cloudland Canyon becoming a park. The privately owned land in the area was slowly being acquired by the state. The area was originally known back then as Sitton Gulch or Trenton Gulf (after the nearby city of Trenton, Georgia).
Up until 1939, the only access to the area was through Alabama or Tennessee. Georgia began work on Highway 136, which would connect U.S. 41 to the newly minted park. Access roads to Cloudland were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
By 1939, the first facilities and signs had been built throughout the area, and the park was officially open to the public. The park consisted originally of 1,924 acres and, since then, expanded to 3,485 acres as new land was purchased over time.
Hiking the Waterfalls Trail at Cloudland Canyon
There are 64 miles of hiking trails at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Perhaps one of the most popular trails is the Waterfalls trail. This is a 2.1-mile round-trip trek that takes you deep in the canyon to view two different waterfalls. On this trail, you will experience 400 feet of elevation change as well as hike 600 stairs. The first stop on this hike is Cherokee Falls with is about a 1/2 mile into the hike. Next up is Hemlock Falls, which is another 1/2 mile deeper into the canyon. There are some bench spaces throughout the hike as well as observation platforms, which make for a great place to recover as your body adapts to the strenuousness of the hike.
Trail Overview
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Trail Name: Waterfalls Trail
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Distance: 2.1 Miles
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Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
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Location: Rising Fawn
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Family-Friendly: Yes (but bring a carrier if children are young and make sure older ones are prepared for the strenuousness of the hike)
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Dog-Friendly: Yes (but need to carry them or wear them in a backpack)
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Entrance Fee: $5 or $50 for an annual pass
Waterfalls Versus Fall Foliage at Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon is breathtaking during fall, with many of its leaves changing color the final weekend of October and the first two weeks of November. If you choose to visit the park during this time, know that the waterfalls may appear to be just a trickle. Due to the time of year and lack of precipation you can expect fewer filled falls. If you want to see the falls when they are overflowing with water, I recommend coming back during Winter and Spring.
Popular Hikes to Check out at Cloudland Canyon
Aside from the Waterfalls trail, there are several other popular hikes to explore at Cloudland Canyon.
- Overlook Trail, 1-mile round-trip hike
- Sitton’s Gulch Trail, 6-mile round-trip hike
- West Rim Loop Trail, 5-mile round-trip hike
- Meadowlands Trail, 1-mile round-trip, known for wild blackberries during the summer
- Backcountry Loop Trail, 2-mile round-trip hike
- Cloudland Connector Trail, 14-mile one-way hike
Nearby Places to Explore
If you are making the trek to Cliudland Canyon, there are some other nearby places to explore
Cloudland Canyon Park Amenities
Cloudland Canyon bodes well for an extended stay adventure to see as much of the park as possible. They offer yurts, cottages, campgrounds, picnic shelters, and one large lodge. All of which can be reserved in advance online at the GA State Parks website. There are a ton of unique activities available, from 30 miles of bike trails, cave tours (reservation only), disc golf, fishing, geocaching, and 16 miles of horseback riding. They also have gear available to rent, from bikes to an All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair, and Enchroma Color Blind Glasses.
Happy Hiking!
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