Cloudland Canyon

Bruce Luong

This past Sunday, we visited Cloudland Canyon Park and had an incredible experience! We tackled two beautiful trails: the Waterfall Trail and the Hemlock Falls Trail. Both offered stunning views, but the Waterfall Trail was particularly challenging with over 600 steps. It was a strenuous hike, and we took a few breaks to catch our breath, but the breathtaking views at the top made every step worthwhile. The park's natural beauty is truly unforgettable, and we can't wait to come back!

N M

Stayed for a walk-in camp at campsite 16 in mid-October. It’s a bit of a haul from the parking area, but that distance buys great privacy—sites aren’t right on top of each other. Hiking was excellent and the weather was perfect. Trees were still mostly green and the waterfalls had no flow during my visit. If you’re chasing autumn colors (and better waterfall chances), aim for late October into early November. Overall, a peaceful stay and great trails—would come back.

Trevor Seguin

This place was an experience I’m really glad I had. The hike down to the bottom was surprisingly easy, with stairs at every change in elevation. The waterfalls inside the canyon are beautiful, and the scenic views from the top are absolutely incredible. This review only covers the day use areas and the hiking trail down to the waterfalls deep in the canyon. I went in without expectations and didn’t even look at a trail map beforehand — I just wanted to see the waterfalls. The descent feels like thousands of stairs, and according to my watch, it’s nearly a 300-meter drop with a round trip of about 3 miles. The climb back up was definitely a workout, but the views and waterfalls made every sweaty step back out worth it. It’s impressive that the state of Georgia installed such an extensive stair system. There are several resting landings with benches along the way, which I definitely appreciated. See my pictures to get an idea of the stairs along the way. I’d highly recommend this park for anyone in decent health, solo hikers, or couples looking for an active, scenic date. The round trip to the bottom waterfall and back took me about 2½ hours — including plenty of time for photos and just taking in the beauty of it all. Absolutely worth the trip. Highly recommend.

Christina M

Truly a stunning state park. The views from the main overlook are unmatched. The main overlook is also accessible for all, which is great. We hiked the waterfalls trail while here. Be prepared for a leg workout. 600 steps down into the canyon and 600 to get back up. The falls were just a trickle in late October, but still very beautiful and peaceful to be near. Worth the hike. And all the fall colors were unmatched in their beauty. Wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water and maybe walking sticks to make it easier for the trail portion before / after the stairs.

Hyejoo Jeong

Cloudland Canyon offers beautiful fall foliage views and plenty of scenic spots to enjoy. Parking was convenient which made the visit smooth from the start. The park has many enjoyable features, especially during the autumn season when the colors are stunning. (waterfall area was dry, though) There was a park ranger in front of building— he was kind and engaging, especially with children and families, offering helpful information and creating a welcoming atmosphere. It was good to see such positive interaction. However, some areas on the trail to the waterfall need maintenance. Certain stairs and railings felt loose and wobbly, and there were wooden sections with holes that seemed potentially dangerous. It would be great if these parts were repaired to ensure safety for all visitors. Overall, it’s a good place to experience nature, but a few safety improvements and some renovations in and around the main building (I noticed it's on going around the main overlook) are needed on the waterfall path and main building. I will probabaly come back in another season.