If you’ve been on the Marble Mine Trail in James H. Floyd State Park raise your hand. There might not be many hands raised, considering the park is still a hidden gem within this great state. However, we’re here to tell you it’s time to plan a trip to Summerville because this is one above-ground cave hike in Georgia that is a sight to see.

James H. Floyd State Park, also dubbed Sloppy Floyd Park, is a beautifully preserved space, surrounded by Georgia countryside in the enchanting town of Summerville.
Robert Jones / Google Reviews
The park boasts three miles of lake loop trails, an abundance of fishing opportunities, plus a ton of bluebirds to brighten up any morning.
Management / TripAdvisor
The park was named after Georgia House of Representative James H. "Sloppy" Floyd, who served his state diligently from 1953 until 1974.
Msmattox / TripAdvisor
However, that isn't the only bit of history to make its way into the park.

 

The hills surrounding this park were once rich with marble mining opportunities in the 1960s and 1970s.
Brian Harlan / Google Reviews
So much so, that an old marble mine remains within the park today. And guess what, you can absolutely hike to it.
JR P / Flickr
The Marble Mine Trail is an easy 1.7-mile hike through the lush green forest, where you'll run into quite the illustrious flora, fauna, and wildlife.
Management / TripAdvisor

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Native azaleas pop up every spring, and you may cross paths with the turtles making their way to the lake.
Kuntrykruisers / TripAdvisor

 

 

But it really is the end of the trail that is superbly worth the trek to get there. Once you reach the end of the trail, around .85 miles in, you'll be standing at the abandoned marble mine entrance, complete with a seasonal waterfall trickling down into a pool below.
hopr10 / TripAdvisor
This aboveground cave is certainly something spectacular.
Georgiabackcountry via Wikimedia Commons
So, I bet you're wondering how this beauty was made. Miners created the cavern after cutting through a huge, exposed rock outcrop, thus creating a dramatically inward-arching cave.
kuntrykruisers / TripAdvisor
With deep depressions on each side of the mine, plus a wooden boardwalk looping inside, you'll be able to get a partial view of the cave. A stream trickles overhead, which tumbles down slowly, about 35 feet, into a light blue pool beneath the entrance.
kuntrykruisers / TripAdvisor

 

Just sitting inside the cave and listening to the trickling water is enough to ease all your worries and rest your mind.
Jeff R. / TripAdvisor
kuntrykruisers / TripAdvisor

Take a look at the quick YouTube video below from All the Biscuits in Georgia, and see why this short hike is well worth the trip

Have you ever been to this above-ground cave hike in Georgia? Was it everything you expected? Let us know about any cave hikes near you in the comments section! Or if you want to find out more information about this state park and the hiking trail, check out the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website.

Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To Experience Some Of Georgia’s Most Impressive Caves And Waterfalls

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More to Explore

Cave Hike In Georgia

Marisa Roman | October 11, 2020

What's the most beautiful hike in Georgia?

Ready for a unique hiking trail in Georgia? How about one that will give you some epic views of the state? While it might be hard to pinpoint the most beautiful hike in Georgia, we have a few that will be worthy contenders.

  • The Amicalola Falls trail for instance is short and sweet and will take guests to the biggest waterfall in the state.
  • The Blood Mountain Loop trail will let hikers explore some beautiful wildflowers along the way.

Check out these 11 Georgia hiking trails to see some really beautiful scenery.

Which hikes in Georgia are short and sweet?

Some of the best Georgia hiking trails are simple and under five miles, so you don’t need to spend all day on the trails. Here are a couple of short and sweet hikes in Georgia:

  • Dowdell's Knob Loop at FD Roosevelt State Park clocks in at 4.5 miles roundtrip and features some stunning sights.
  • Tesnatee Gap to Cowrock Mountain is a 2.25-mile roundtrip with perfect mountaintop scenery.

Check out these 10 short and sweet hikes in Georgia that are under five miles long.

What are the best waterfall hikes in Georgia?

While there are a few epic cave hikes in Georgia, there are also a few waterfalls worth checking out. There is nothing quite like hitting the trails and being rewarded with a beautiful, cascading waterfall at the end.

  • Anna Ruby Falls trail, for instance, is quite the majestic trail, less than a mile out and back.
  • Toccoa Falls trail is under a quarter mile and brings some seriously perfect waterfall views.

Check out the ultimate bucket list for Georgia waterfall hiking trails. For any of the hikes in Georgia, give AllTrails+ a try for up-to-date trail info and maps.

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Featured Addresses
James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park, 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Rd, Summerville, GA 30747, USA