Hiker walking through a canyon surrounded by large rocks

Hiker walking in Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Georgia. Photo by @capturecalliope

Outdoor Adventures at Georgia's 7 Natural Wonders

Check out these outdoor adventures that showcase Georgia's scenic beauty at the state's seven natural wonders.

From Amicalola Falls in the North Georgia mountains to the Okefenokee Swamp in south Georgia, prepare to be awestruck by the unique features of Georgia's landscape at these waterfalls, canyons, swamps, springs and mountains.

A waterfalls rushes down moss-covered rocks.

Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville, Georgia. Photo by @visuals_by_pari

1. Amicalola Falls

Surrounded by stunning scenery, the tumbling waters of Amicalola Falls form the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast. From the falls, a truly memorable adventure awaits along a 5-mile trail leading guests to a secluded backcountry lodge, Len Foote Hike Inn. Visitors need only bring the basics and enjoy the comforts of cozy beds, hot showers, and delicious meals. Amicalola Falls State Park also serves as a spectacular welcome to the Appalachian Trail with an eight-mile approach to its southern terminus, Springer Mountain.

Visit Amicalola Falls State Park

2. Okefenokee Swamp

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SOUND ON to go virtually walking in a {swampy} wonderland! ⁣ 📹: @okefenokeeswamppark #exploregeorgiafromhome

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Located in the 400,000-acre Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Okefenokee is North America's largest blackwater swamp. Paddle among abundant wildlife in a mysterious, breathtaking landscape of reflective waters and gorgeous cypress forests draped in Spanish moss. An unforgettable overnight experience, seven shelters and two islands offer paddlers secluded camping under the darkest skies in the state. (Permits required).

Visit Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

A canon overlook is surrounded by trees with a sunset in the distance.

Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Georgia. Photo by @bebs.hollman

3. Providence Canyon

A landscape resembling the American West earned Providence Canyon the nickname "Little Grand Canyon." Carved by erosion due to poor farming practices, the canyons offer a fascinating look at the colorful history and geology of south Georgia. Backpackers explore the canyon inside and out along a challenging 7-mile trail that leads to six primitive campsites. 

The park is a marvel to explore year-round but particularly in the fall when the changing leaves contrast with the orange-hued soil for a colorful palette. In the winter, the absence of hardwood foliage and vegetation more clearly reveals a landscape like nowhere else in the state.

Visit Providence Canyon

A boardwalk stretches through trees and past water.

Radium Springs in Albany, Georgia

4. Radium Springs

Georgia's largest natural spring, located in Albany in southwest Georgia, pumps thousands of gallons of water from an underground cave, giving the waters a surreal turquoise glow. Preserved as a historic site with stone pathways and lush botanical gardens, Radium Springs Gardens is one of Georgia's most unique attractions. Enjoy a shaded walk, gazing at the crystal clear pools, before paddling the Flint River to search for other blue holes.

Visit Radium Springs Gardens

Aerial view of a mountain park with a sunset in the distance.

Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Photo by @pauldaniel5010

5. Stone Mountain

A unique geologic formation, the towering granite monadnock offers family-friendly fun right outside of Atlanta. In addition to being a natural wonder, Stone Mountain Park also holds records for the world's longest-running laser show and the largest bas-relief carving on the planet. Explore the Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and hike to the top on a mile-long trail featuring natural beauty and magnificent views.

Visit Stone Mountain Park

6. Warm Springs

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This week’s #MarkerMonday examines the Warm Springs Treatment Pools historical marker in Meriwether County. The natural springs of Warm Springs are the largest and most famous springs in Georgia. You may be familiar with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s use of the pools as a treatment for his polio symptoms—it is believed that natural hot springs hold therapeutic benefits. After FDR founded the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation in 1927, the springs were transformed into a hydrotherapeutic treatment center to alleviate the debilitating effects of polio. Click the link in our bio for the GHS Blog pages to learn more about Warm Springs and the use of springs as treatment pools. #georgiahistoricalmarker #georgiahistory #georgia #historicalmarker #history #warmsprings #healthspa #naturalhealth #meriwethercounty

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Made famous by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's search for a polio cure, the buoyant spring waters in west Georgia's Warm Springs have offered a therapeutic environment for many patients. Visitors enjoy learning more about the springs through museum exhibits at Roosevelt's Little White House before exploring Georgia's largest state park. More than 40 miles of trail offer endless adventure winding through forests, glimpsing waterfalls, and crossing creeks in the rolling mountains southwest of Atlanta.

Visit Warm Springs

A gorge is surrounded by colorful fall foliage in the mountains.

Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. Photo by @yinandshane

7. Tallulah Gorge

Nearly 1,000 feet deep, this two-mile gorge carved by the Tallulah River in northeast Georgia near Clayton is brimming with spectacular views and daring adventure. In addition to rock climbing and challenging mountain bike trails, outdoor enthusiasts can join the Canyon Climbers Club at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Descend into the canyon via staircases and natural surface paths, cross a suspension bridge, and cool off at a natural sliding rock and swimming hole at the gorge floor.

Visit Tallulah Gorge State Park

Published: March 2023
Written by: Candy Cook
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