Canton, Georgia

A quick and local getaway from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta city life, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve offers over 100 acres of forested trails that lead to Utoy Creek and Cascade Falls.The trail starts at the parking area and leads to a boardwalk where old historical structures stand alongsi...

Lake Sidney Lanier is pretty big, but you don't need to be overwhelmed when you visit the lake via Dogwood Park. The park has a large pavilion and a few other picnic tables, lots of shade trees, and a couple of ways to access the lake. On the left side, there's an abandoned marina (dangerous—it's...

Locating the entrance to Constitution Lakes Park is the hardest part of this hike.  There's no specific address to take you to the parking lot, but if you find South River Industrial Boulevard, you'll see the sign for Constitution Lakes Park on your right.  Parking is free and there are two trail...

Fort Mountain rises prominently from the plateau to the West, serving as the start of the Blue Ridge Mountain range in Georgia. The Gahuti Backcountry Trail circumnavigates the mountain, with several overlooks with views in all directions.  At 8.1 miles, this hike is moderately difficult, but can...

Fort Mountain State Park is filled with horse trails, biking trails, walking trails, camping sites, and a lake. Once you arrive at the park you pay a $5 entrance fee and will receive a park map. While visiting I walked the West Overlook Trail and came back down the CCC Tower Trail. This is a 1 mi...

The hike to the five waterfalls on the Emery Creek trail is one of the most spectacular hikes in Georgia. This trail is moderate in climb, yet secluded in the Cohutta Wilderness and challenging enough to keep crowds away. Two things to note about this trail: it is wet (there are 20 creek crossing...

The Appalachian Trail is arguably the most famous thru-hike in the world.  Along its 2,181-mile journey, there are many beautiful mountain views, and Preachers Rock is definitely one of them.  A large granite slab near the summit of Big Cedar Mountain reveals mountain views that are truly the epi...

The Chattahoochee National Forest is another kind of jungle.  On hot summer days well over 95 degrees, the forest canopy provides a shelter for human and wildlife alike. Here adventurers can enjoy hiking the Desoto Falls trail(s), try their luck at fishing, or take in the solitude of the North Ge...

North Georgia is packed with awesome mountain trails, but few boast the beauty and magnitude of the Appalachian Trail. The hike from Blood Mountain to Cowrock Mountain is one of the more scenic sections of the AT in Georgia, in terms of mountain views.  Do this hike as a full day hike, or spread ...

The Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness make up the wild and scenic southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blood Mountain trail offers the day hiker a taste of the Appalachian Trail that does not disappoint. The hike starts at the Byron Reece trailhead at Neels Gap where ...

Vogel State Park is one of the many beautifully preserved wilderness parks of Northern Georgia.  With a stunning alpine lake and 17 miles of trails, you cannot go wrong.  The Bear Hair Trail is the perfect mid-distance option that will reward you with both great views of the lake from a high vant...

Nestled at the foot of Blood Mountain is one of Georgia's most scenic State Parks.  With over 90 campsites and 35 charming cottages, 17 miles of hiking trails, a beautiful alpine lake, and a charming waterfall, Vogel State Park highlights all of the best things that North Georgia has to offer.  T...

Lake Trahlyta in Vogel State Park offers a truly unique combination of natural beauty and opportunity for recreation.  The easy one-mile Lake Trahlyta trail circles the emerald colored lake and has a short deviation that leads to a calming, yet impressive waterfall.   The trail starts on the edge...

Getting to Helton Creek Falls can be a little bit tricky. You can either access the trailhead from 348 (the less popular, more adventurous route), or you can access the trailhead easily off of highway 19.  The reason why access from 348 is a bit tricky is that the road actually has two creek cros...