Welp, Georgia has made the news for all the wrong reasons this week as a chemical plant exploded outside Atlanta, sending the area into a frenzy!
But hey, that’s all the more reason to get out of dodge and explore more of what Georgia has to offer.
Sure, there’s the ever-so-popular southern bell of Savannah to venture off to, but why not explore one of Georgia’s top secrets instead?
After all, there’s a reason the words “hidden gem” always seem to catch our eye.
Away from the bustle of Atlanta lies another city that flies under the radar.
Hugging the Georgia-Bama line lies the mid-size city of Colombus and within close distance beholds a beautiful outdoor lover’s dream dubbed Georgia’s ‘Grand Canyon‘.
Providence Canyon State Park: Georgia’s Grand Canyon Dupe
You won’t need to deal with the Grand Canyon crowds, which are packed in like sardines to get a glimpse of perhaps America’s most stunning natural wonder.
Providence Canyon State Park is a shrunken-down version, yet arguably equally captivating as you explore plentiful scenic hikes and fiery landscapes without the hordes of tourists in your space.
With over 2,000 acres to satisfy your wanderlust, you’ll feel far removed from what you think you know of Georgia and feel as if you’re in Utah, Arizona, or perhaps that one desolate red planet we’re apparently all moving to once Earth burns to a crisp!
For now, you can enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer right here in the ‘Peach State’ with astounding canyons, colorful gullies, and otherworldly rock formations left to be discovered.
Living up to its designation as one of Georgia’s ‘Seven Natural Wonders,’ the park only enhances as time passes deeper into fall when the summer azaleas trade-off for a rush of autumn colors.
Vibrant and rustic hues of gold, reds, and oranges seize the seemingly endless tree lines, making for perfect photo ops no matter where you are.
Tip: Park gates are open 7am – 6pm this fall.
Got $5 To Spare? The Price Of Admission Is A Cup Of Coffee
The minimum price to enter the Grand Canyon is $20, so Providence Canyon has them beat there too.
For the cost of a cup of coffee, visitors can access one of the South’s top outdoor playgrounds.
According to Providence Canyon’s official website, entry is only $5.
Not only will you be able to explore this relatively unknown State Park’s boundless marvels of nature, the park is equipped with an intriguing museum and informative visitor center to plan out your starting point.
Adventurers of all ages love visiting the park; the proof is in the pudding.
Holding an impressive 4.8 stars on Google, one recent parkgoer had a fun family outing boasting, ‘Great state park. We hiked today with 5 of our grandchildren…We had a picnic after our hike. Definitely worth seeing our “Little Grand Canyons” in Georgia. A great gift store (visitor center) at the entrance of trail with maps, ice cream, drinks, etc’.
Picnics are one of the most popular activities here, but just know you should check with park officials to see if capacity has been met.
Same goes for campsites, where many visitors love to stargaze far away from light pollution as even Colombus is about 40 miles away.
But perhaps best of all, you can bring Fido along with you!
Where To Hike & Where To Stay
Remember, fall is one of the best times to explore the park surrounded by never-ending foliage among stunning landscapes.
Most importantly, you gotta know where you’re going and where to rest your head at night!
The 3 most common trails are as follows:
- Meander White Blaze Canyon Loop Trail – 2.5 miles (beware of off-trail quicksand!)
- Backcountry Trail – 6.6 miles (rated “difficult”)
- Providence Canyon Trails – 1.8 miles – (easiest of the bunch)
If camping isn’t your jam, one of the best places to stay is by crossing state lines into the old-timey town of Eufaula, Alabama home to familiar names like Hampton Inn that will get you by.
Otherwise, if you enjoy upscale hotels, making the trip back to Colombus is best for 4-star stays like Hotel Indigo or DoubleTree.
Tip: Keep an eye out for abandoned cars along the Canyon Loop Trail for cool photos
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