For any nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, or those looking to disconnect, Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia is a perfect solution. As one of the biggest state parks in the state, Cloudland Canyon features a bevy of scenic attractions throughout the park. We’re talking thousand-foot-deep canyons, cascading waterfalls, forested landscapes, miles of hiking trails, and so much more. But what do you do after you explore this beautiful park? Are there other hidden gems around the park that are worth making a whole weekend out of? Check out these eight things to do near Cloudland Canyon State Park:

1. Howard’s Waterfall Cave - Trenton
Howard's Waterfall Cave, 1728, 264 Back Valley Rd, Trenton, GA 30752, USA
Cherity Allison/Google Local
Howard’s Waterfall Cave in Trenton, Georgia is a small but mighty cave worth exploring. Entrance to the cave does require a permit from the SCCi cave preserve, which can be purchased online quickly. As always, remember to take all the necessary cave precautions for exploring this gem, as any cave system can be dangerous for those untrained.
2. Lookout Mountain Pizza Company - Rising Fawn
Lookout Mountain Pizza Company, 203 Scenic Hwy, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA
Thomas Smith/Google Local
Right outside the south end of Cloudland Canyon, you’ll find To learn more about, Lookout Mountain Pizza Company, a highly-regarded wood-oven pizza spot with delicious offerings. Nothing is more rewarding after a long day of hiking in the state park than a piping hot, deliciously cheesy pizza.
3. Lula Lake Land Trust - Lookout Mountain
Lula Lake Land Trust, 5000 Lula Lake Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750, USA
Christian Redendiz/Google Local
Just around 20 minutes northeast of Cloudland Canyon, you’ll find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Georgia at Lula Lake Land Trust. Hike through the 8,000-acre land trust for some beautiful bouts of nature before making your way to Lula Falls. Please keep in mind though, since this is a land trust, Lula Lake is only open to the public on the first and last weekends of each month. So make sure to plan your visit accordingly.
4. Lookout Mountain Flight Park - Rising Fawn
Lookout Mountain Flight Park- Hang Gliding and Paragliding Training Center, Scenic Highway, Rising Fawn, GA, USA
Lookout Mountain Flight Park/Facebook
Looking to catch some air while in Rising Fawn, Georgia? Heading northeast outside of Cloudland Canyon, you’ll come across Lookout Mountain Flight Park, one of the coolest hang-gliding spots in the state. With lessons and experiences for all levels, guests can launch themselves from a mountainside ramp and soar across the skies. Fly with an instructor and learn the ropes at this one-of-a-kind attraction.

Check out this satisfied customer’s flight on YouTube:

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5. Thatcher’s BBQ & Grill - Trenton, GA 30752
Thatcher's Bbq And Grille, 35 Price St, Trenton, GA 30752, USA
Leonard Timmons/Google Local
Just outside of Cloudland Canyon Park is another delicious spot to chow down in - Thatcher’s BBQ & Grill. You can practically smell the smokiness as soon as you pull into the parking lot. Thatcher’s offers a wide selection of smoked meats, plus loaded potatoes, buckets of tots, and jumbo-sized hot dogs. This is the place to chow down if we’ve ever seen it.
6. Uncle Lar’s Outpost - Trenton
Uncle Lar's Outpost, 4650 GA-136, Trenton, GA 30752, USA
Deanna Burnett/Google Local
Another Trenton hidden gem worth exploring is Uncle Lar’s Outpost, part-gift shop, part-mercantile, part-grocery. With a hodgepodge of fun and delicious things to peruse, this is not your average store by any means. You never know what you might find or taste here.
7. Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater - Trenton
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater, 217 Old Hales Road, Trenton, GA 30752, USA
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater/Facebook
Wanna catch a flick the old-school way? At Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater, guests can either pull up their car or pull up some chairs and watch a movie outdoors. Come enjoy this cash-only, open-air theater that comes complete with a concession stand and everything. With two screens showing two separate movies, come enjoy a drive-in theater experience with the whole family.
8. Lookout Lavender Farm - Rising Fawn
Lookout Lavender Farm, 044 00 175 00, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA
Back to basic/Google Local
At over 50 acres of farmland, Lookout Lavender Farm specializes in growing lavender and making lavender-based items available for sale. Visitors are able to visit the farm, which is open seasonally, to walk the fields and purchase products from the farm store. Grab a drink from the on-site vendor and sit for a while, enjoying the sweet scent of lavender.

Hiking is one of our favorite things to do at Cloundland Canyon, and you can find some awesome hiking trail suggestions on AllTrails+, which allows you to download maps and plan ahead. So, if you were wondering what to do at Cloundland Canyon, we hope some of these suggestions helped! Have you already crossed some off your bucket list? Tell us about your experience in the comments section. Or if there are other attractions in the area you think we should know about, make sure to shout them out, too!

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More to Explore

State Parks to Visit in Georgia

Tori Jane | January 23, 2022

What are some of the best state parks in Georgia? 

Obviously, the term “best” is definitely subjective; however, if one were to go by popularity, we could argue that the “best” parks just so happen to be the most beloved. When it comes to the most beloved state parks in our beautiful state, the first and foremost answer should be obvious: the amazing Stone Mountain Park is #1, and for good reason: it’s home to some of the most brilliantly beautiful landscapes in the country. You’ll love the fascinating stone carvings and the cable car that carts you to the top! Amicalola Falls State Park is another popular and well-loved recreational area for folks from all walks of life. The waterfall is easily one of the most beautiful sights in all of Georgia, and the hiking trails are second to none in terms of their own beauty. Other popular options include Tallulah Gorge State Park, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, and Unicoi State Park. These may be among the most popular, but there are also all sorts of underappreciated state parks in Georgia, too – read about them in this article.  

What are the most popular hiking trails in Georgia?  

Georgia may not be known as a huge hiking destination, but maybe it ought to. It’s home to more than 1400 trails, according to our friends at AllTrails.com. The trail that occupies the #1 most popular spot for the time being is the amazing Mt. Yonah Trail, located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. It’s a four-and-a-half-mile adventure through some of Georgia’s most amazing landscapes. Within the Raven Cliffs Wilderness is the breathtaking Raven Cliff Falls Trail, which features some amazing waterfalls and lush forests. It’s a little longer than Mt. Yonah Trail, at 5.8 miles long, but it’s worth the trek! Another very popular trail is the Amicalola Falls via East Ridge Loop Trail, which treks from the bottom of Amicalola Falls to the top. It’s a can’t miss!  

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