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Resting on the western edge of northwest Georgia’s Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park is more than 3,000 acres—one of the state’s largest parks—of rugged geology, and offers visitors hiking, camping, rock climbing and more along the park’s most iconic feature: the deep gorge cut through the mountain (elevation varies from 800 to more than 1,800 feet!) by the Sitton Gulch Creek. Multiple waterfalls and cascades, including the uber-popular Hemlock Falls, can be found throughout the gorge, making this park feel like a hidden gem around Lookout Mountain.
Staring at the geographic anomaly isn’t the only thing to do at this park, however. Beyond the countless miles of hiking, biking and horse riding trails, geology fanatics can find rock climbing, rappelling and spelunking across the park—cave tours are even offered for beginning cave explorers at Sitton’s Cave.
The park holds a massive variety of camping options, including 72 spots suitable for both tent and RV campers, 30 walk-in sites, 13 dispersed sites, 16 cottages and 10 yurts, each in a different area of the park. With this many options, campers can find seclusion all around.
My favorite place to hike in Georgia! 2 beautiful waterfalls and an amazing view from the top! There are also 2 unnamed (I believe?) waterfalls that don’t get much attention but deserve it! Every trail is great, have camped a few times as well and every experience has been memorable.
Also: go during winter! It’s very icy but worth it!!
This was our first trip out to Cloudland Canyon, and it definitely won't be our last!
We were here on a cooler January afternoon, so the crowds weren't bad. But we could definitely see this place being much more busy during the warmer months.
We walked the Outlook Loop, as well as part of the Waterfall Trail, down to Chreokee Falls.
The Outlook loop is an easy walk that is paved throughout most of the trail. The Waterfall Trail was moderate difficulty, with the main challenge being the large number of stairs (200 to Cherokee Falls and 600 to Hemlock Falls). But the views of the falls are definitely worth it!
We'd definitely like to come back and check out some of the other trails offered, or possibly even spend a weekend camping.
This was such an amazing experience! Both of th waterfalls were so amazing that the smaller one is the one you could go to the base of the waterfall and get so many amazing pictures. Also, the other waterfall is also wonderful to it is a little wider than the other. I do recommend that you do go on this amazing hike and also at cloudland Canyon, There are many more things to explore, like camping there in a camper that is yours if you have one!! I loved this hiking adventure, and I know you will too!!
One of the nicest state parks we've ever experienced! This is a gorgeous & recently fully renovated state park throughout. The campground looks 100% brand new & the RV/camper campground has new, full hook-ups; paved roads; and leveled, large pads throughout. The trails were also very well maintained & have gorgeous views. If you are either retired military or a disabled veteran be sure to ask about the GA State Park's discounts, as well!
If we are ever traveling through this area again we will be sure to plan to stay a few more days to enjoy the trails even more!
Amazing hiking! Make sure to visit the waterfall trails. Lots of waterfalls along the way. If you are taking Sitton's Gulch trail, there is 600 descending steps (stairway) to more falls, but remember... you will be trekking 600 steps back up. You can take the pups on the trails, but the stairs are grated. It is definitely not suitable for small pups.