Cloudland Canyon – Rising Fawn, Georgia

Cloudland was the kind of place you google image to get good screen savers, also the kind of place you google image every night before your hiking trip in anticipation.

Driving from central Florida was a seven-and-a-half-hour ride, but with the anticipation and excitement building, it was a small price to pay. And the reservations were super simple and relatively cheap.

As the navigation took us closer and closer to the park, we found ourselves winding on country back roads that were pushing up towards the mountains as it neared 2 am. A Walmart parking lot 30 minutes from the park offered a good, safe place to sleep for the night before hitting the trails the next morning.

The morning was cool and brisk as we made our way along more back roads towards the entrance of the park. Pulling in, the visitor center was welcoming as we checked in and confirmed our camping reservation. With reservation confirmed, we went off. Going to the main trail head we decided to tackle the Waterfalls Trail first. This trail is not for the faint of heart, 600 metal grate steps down and then back up is no joke, but if you are willing and able, the payoff is well worth it. The steps were difficult, but with the tranquil sound of the distant waterfall crashing into a pool of water, you couldn’t help but feel the need to keep pushing until you saw it for yourself.

Down and down we went, with amazing views of wet rock walls and outcroppings along the way. And then, finally, there we were at Hemlock Falls, one of the most amazing things I’ve seen on a hiking trip. For a moment, I just stood there and soaked it all in, and then felt like I needed to be a little closer. Against the advice of the sign, we climbed down off of the platform they have to view the waterfall, and started climbing along the rocks until we couldn’t get any closer. Hearing the water crash and feeling the mist spray my face was something I will never forget.

We also hiked the West Rim Loop Trail, and the Overlook Trail. Both offered amazing views and neither one was strenuous. The Overlook Trail I would recommend for any age and any skill level. Really it was more of a walk around the outer rim of the canyon with a couple overlook points that had some great views, hence its name. The West Rim Loop Trail was a little more advanced than the Overlook Trail but nothing to work yourself up about. The trail follows the same start as the Waterfalls Trail but takes a turn and follows a path that leads in a different, more “back to nature” kind of feel. This trail was nothing short of amazing. It followed the other side of the canyon opposite the Overlook Trail winding through more wilderness with an actual trail like feeling. It has some amazing views that will make for some amazing pictures if you carry a camera when you hike.

We reserved a primitive campsite along the two-mile back country Loop they have in the park. If you desire a little more privacy as we often do, this is the way to go as far as camping. Reservations are not site specific and check out is at 1 p.m. so if you have a certain site in mind I recommend getting there as soon as you can. From reviews and hiking forums I had read, site 7 sounded like a winner to use. It was the farthest from the trail head and from what others said offered the most seclusion. Now, what I read was not wrong by any means, and campsite 7 was amazing, but if we go back, we will be trying to grab sites 4 or 5. I will get to why I say that later, but for now I’ll give campsite 7 some credit. The campsite was amazing. It was tucked back away from everything, some good ways in from the trail head, and on a raised piece of land so we wouldn’t have to worry about rain pooling around us if it decided to pour cats and dogs.

There was a rushing portion of the river maybe a couple hundred yards from our site, but you could hear it all night, which was amazing. The seclusion was nice, a couple of campsites we saw were across from each other which didn’t really offer the “alone in the woods” feeling I like when I camp. All in all, the camp was great and the night was full of cool Georgia mountain air. If we ever go back though, we want to shoot for campsite 4 or 5 due to their location.

Both sites were right smack dab on the river. It would offer some amazing nights in the park for another get a way.

I wouldn’t change anything about the trip we took, and I highly recommend this park to any outdoor enthusiast for its amazing views and back to nature feel you get while you’re there.

*Cody Fortner is an avid hiker, hammock camper and friend.

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