Providence Canyon State Park - Georgia

"Georgia's Little Grand Canyon "

Providence Canyon State Park preserves a 1,108-acre area containing 16 canyons eroded to a depth of 150 feet. The winding gullies exhibit multicolored strata creating breathtaking vistas.

The canyons were formed less than 150 years ago when settlers began clearing trees to farm the land. The cultivation caused the easily-eroded soil to wash away.  There were ditches 3 - 5 feet deep by the mid-1800's. The ditches soon became canyons. Some are now over half a mile long and 300 feet across.

Many colorful hues make up the sides of the canyons. They are a mix of tan, white, buff, pink, red ,salmon, orange and lavender.

At the bottom of the canyons is the ancient ocean floor where fossils exist.

The Civilian Conservation Corp planted trees and plants around the area in the 1930's trying to stop the erosion. In 1971 the area was made a state park to try to preserve it's natural wonder.

The park has seven miles of hiking trails. Nine of the canyons can be explored by day-use trails, while the others on the back side of the park can be explored on the 7-mile backpacking trail which leads to overnight camping areas. There is a trail leading into the canyons from the visitor's center.

The park has 65 picnic tables and two picnic shelters. The visitor's center has a 10-minute slide show and interpretive displays on the canyon, its wildflowers and wildlife. The center is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Many rare wildflowers grow in the canyons. 

The park is open 7:00 am to 6:00 pm from September 15 to April 15. The rest of the year it is open until 9:00 pm. For more information call (912) 838-6202

Directions

From Interstate 185 take Highway 27 to Lumpkin. At Lumpkin, go 7 miles west on SR 39C. The park is on the left.

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