Georgia’s ‘Little Grand Canyon’ Will Make You Question Everything You Know About The South

Providence Canyon State Park, known as Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, should definitely be on your road trip bucket list!

This beautiful state park is known as the Little Grand Canyon because of its unique geological features. The park is home to a series of canyons and gorges that are simply breathtaking!

These canyons and gorges are up to 150 feet deep in some places, and they offer stunning views of its vibrant shades of red, orange, purple and pink, surrounding countryside.

The park is a popular destination for hikers, picnickers, and nature lovers, and it’s easy to see why when you witness its natural beauty firsthand.

At just a 5-hour and 30-minute drive from Orlando, you can go hike and explore this beautiful state park in Georgia in just one day if you’re up for it!

These beautiful canyons in The Peach State are a product of poor farming practices dating back to the 1800s, and the erosion caused by it led to the canyon’s unique display of 43 color tones.

Today, the canyon is a beautiful and popular spot for hiking and picnicking and the 1,103-acre park features 16 miles of trails, including the extremely difficult Backcountry Trail which is 7 miles.

If you’re interested in doing this hike, a great option is to camp and stay the night at one of the backcountry campsites available in the park.

You can hike to the bottom of the canyon for a closer look at the unique rock formations. There is also a campground and picnic area.

You will find one main trail leading to the 9 canyons, a museum, and a visitor’s center with exhibits on the area’s geology and history.

There are cliffs, forests, meadows, and streams that all come together to create a beautiful and peaceful natural setting.

This was our first visit, and although we didn’t get to see all nine canyons, at least we were able to see canyons 1-5 and they are all stunning!

Hiking the Little Grand Canyon in Georgia

Hiking trails begin right next to the visitor’s center. One of the most popular hiking trails in Providence Canyon State Park is the Canyon Loop Trail which is a 5-mile hike that could take you up to 2 hours to complete.

This loop trail is blazed white and it’s the trail you want to stay on if you want to see canyons 6-9.

The hiking trail that leads to the canyon floor is a 1/4 mile hike going downhill – so wearing hiking boots or trail running shoes is highly recommended.

Once you get down to the creek bed, you’ll see signs guiding you to the different canyons. You can see as many as you want or all of them.

🥾 Best Trail for Beginners

If you're looking for a beginner-friendly hiking trail in Providence Canyon, then the Canyon Loop Trail is your best option. It's relatively short and offeres excellent views, without being too demanding.

🥾 Intermediate Hiking

If you want a little more of a challenging hike, head to the Backcountry Trail. You can hike deep into the canyon over more rugged terrain for an adventureous experience. For this hike, it's best to reserve a backcountry campsite in the park. 

Be sure to check the weather prior to hiking Providence Canyon. If it had been raining days before your visit, the soil of the creek bed can get very slippery.

My son referred to it as quicksand – and that’s exactly how it feels. For this reason, it’s best if you take your time while hiking and be aware of where you’re stepping.

During our first visit to Providence Canyon, we really wanted to explore all the canyons. However, the thought of being right in the middle of the canyons when it began to rain again, really had us feeling a bit anxious.

Overall, this was an incredible outdoor destination in Georgia and it’s a great day trip destination in South U.S.

Tip: check the weather before heading out!

Plan your Visit

Hours: September 15–April 14: 7 am – 6 pm | April 15–September 14: 7 am – 9 pm | Visitor’s Center: open daily until 5 pm

Fees: $5 for parking

Location: 8930 Canyon Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815

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Yanitza Ninett

Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she’s also passionate about ocean conservation. When she’s not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.