There are seven natural wonders in the state of Georgia that you should explore and enjoy. From an amazing cascading 729-foot waterfall to North America’s largest blackwater swamp. There is a canyon referred to as the “Little Grand Canyon”, natural springs, and a towering rock formation not far from downtown Atlanta.
From the thundering cascades of Amicalola Falls in the north to the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp in the south, Georgia’s natural wonders await you. Waterfalls, canyons, swamps, warm springs, and mountains provide a nature lover’s adventure. Here is your Georgia Natural Wonders Bucket List.
Table of Contents
- 1. Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville
- 2. Okefenokee Swamp in Folkston
- 3. Providence Canyon in Lumpkin
- 4. Radium Springs in Albany
- 5. Stone Mountain
- 6. Warm Springs
- 7. Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah Falls
- More Places To Visit in the Southeastern U.S.
1. Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville
Amicolola Falls is located in Dawsonville, at the edge of the North Georgia Mountains, inside the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s a good day trip from Atlanta and its suburbs, Athens, and even Chattanooga or the southwest Tennessee area.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge is named for its most magnificent feature, a natural wonder, the 729-foot waterfall. The hike to the waterfall will take about an hour and a half. Fair warning, there is an optional but recommended 175 stair climb on the journey. It is a steep hike, so be prepared. No strollers. You can drive to the top of the Falls. The views are not as spectacular, but it can be done.
Do you love this adventure so much that you want to stay a few days? No problem. Amicalola Falls State Park is one of only five in Georgia with a lodge, cabins, and a restaurant. They also offer: zip lining, guided hikes, archery, hatchet throwing, fishing, camping, and much more.
Amicalola Falls State Park also serves as a spectacular welcome to the Appalachian Trail with an eight-mile approach to its southern terminus, Springer Mountain.
2. Okefenokee Swamp in Folkston
Head down to South Georgia at Folkston to find the 400,000-acre Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee is North America’s largest blackwater wetland and the least disturbed freshwater ecosystem on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The swamp is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Mary’s Rivers.
The main focus of a National Wildlife Refuge is to preserve habitat and biodiversity. Nature tourism is also offered with guided boat tours, overnight excursions, and more. I recommend waiting until the Fall when the weather cools down so you won’t have the mosquitoes to contend with.
There are over 620 species of plants growing in the swamp. Animals include 39 types of fish, 37 amphibians, 64 reptiles, 234 types of birds, and 50 mammal species. The American Black Bear and The American Alligator are among those.
3. Providence Canyon in Lumpkin
Located in south central Georgia near the Alabama line is Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon.” Amazingly, the canyon was formed by erosion caused by poor farming practices during the 1800s.
The soil is what we call Georgia Red clay, hence the colors of the canyon. It is a beauty in the Fall when the leaves seem to match the colors of the soil. Visit in the winter months to see the canyon without the vegetation and big leafy trees of the summer.
Providence Canyon State Park offers Pioneer and Backcountry camping, picnic shelters, a visitors center, a museum, and a playground.
Florence Marina State Park is nearby, within about 9 miles of Providence Canyon. 45,000-acre Lake Walter F. George is here. If you plan a trip to Providence Canyon, plan to visit Florence Marina State Park as well.
4. Radium Springs in Albany
Radium Springs is located in Albany, about three hours south of Atlanta. It’s a great day trip from Columbus, Macon, or most cities in middle Georgia.
Radium Springs is Georgia’s largest natural spring, making it one of the natural wonders of our state. The water has a turquoise hue. An amazing 70,000 gallons of crystal-clear, 68-degree water are pumped every minute from an underground cave. Radium Springs is for viewing only. Swimming at the springs ended around 1994 after Tropical Storm Alberto, which caused a great deal of damage in Georgia.
Visitors can enjoy a beautiful terrace, new sidewalks, and a botanical garden where a magnificent Casino Resort once stood before the Great Depression. A peaceful and relaxing environment to view the blue springs includes the original historic stonework, walking trails, and a scenic overlook.
If you are taking a day trip to Albany to visit Radium Springs, you can add a visit to the nearby Flint River Aquarium, also in Albany.
5. Stone Mountain
You have probably heard of Stone Mountain, and you may have even visited, but there are probably a few things you didn’t know about it.
- Stone Mountain is the largest piece of exposed granite in the world! That makes it one of Georgia’s 7 Natural Wonders
- The Confederate Memorial Carving is the world’s largest high-relief sculpture. Covering three acres, which is bigger than a football field and even Mount Rushmore, it portrays three Confederate leaders from the Civil War: President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
- Stone Mountain Park also holds records for the world’s longest-running laser show.
Stone Mountain has an elevation of more than 1,600 feet. Once you reach the summit, your reward will be panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline and the Appalachian Mountains.
If you choose to walk up the mountain, you may want to know that it is approximately a one-mile hike. It gets a little steeper as you approach the top. The good news for those of us who want to see the views without the hike is that you can ride a cable car to the top! I have climbed Stone Mountain several times and can attest that it is a nice, steep hike.
6. Warm Springs
Warm Springs, Georgia, is most commonly associated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt because of his home there. He chose the location as a place for rehabilitation for his polio. The hot springs, commonly referred to as Warm Springs, created a therapeutic environment that offered relief for those suffering from certain ailments.
FDR actually purchased the property where the Warm Springs were located and not only built a home known as The Little White House, but he also established the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation (now Roosevelt Warm Springs Vocational Rehabilitation Campus) as a polio rehabilitation center.
Visitors can explore the FDR State Park and even tour Roosevelt’s Little White House.
7. Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah Falls
Tullulah Gorge is located off the beaten path along State Hwy. 23 in North Georgia, near Clayton. We always stop to view this natural wonder when traveling to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, because it is just off of our path. Sometimes there is a little restaurant open where you can dine outside and enjoy the spectacular view.
The gorge is almost 1,000 feet deep and two miles long. The gorge was carved by the Tallulah River in northeast Georgia. Although you can hike the canyon, you must get a pass first. There are about 1,000 stairs down to the gorge floor. If you are feeling especially brave, walk across the swaying suspension bridge, which is about 80 feet above the gorge floor. Let the record show that although I have viewed Tallulah Gorge many times, I have never hiked to the bottom nor walked across the suspension bridge. I prefer the safety of the viewing deck.
