Top 5 Outdoor Activities in Georgia
November 2, 2022Are you on the hunt for the best outdoor activities in the great state of Georgia? Well, you’ve come to the right place. From rafting to hiking to ziplining above the trees, we have our favorite five-star adventures listed below.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or you have lived here for your entire life, we hope you enjoy our list of the top five best outdoor activities in the state.
1. Chattahoochee River Rafting & Ziplining with Whitewater Express
Located about a two-hour drive south of Atlanta in Columbus, Georgia, this one-of-a-kind urban whitewater rafting experience is a family-friendly activity that caters to groups of all ages and sizes. With plenty of availability and several options for the departure time, the two-hour Classic Whitewater Rafting Trip can take anyone who is 7 years old OR 60lbs safely downstream. If your group is looking for more adrenaline, they also offer a more intense three-hour experience at 5pm. The Challenge and Carnage trips offer up some of the wildest water on the East Coast. The Chattahoochee River is home to the largest rapid in the southeast, a class V rapid called Cutbait. No experience is required, as all tours are fully guided by a highly-trained staff member. Whitewater Express also offers zip line experiences, and various equipment rentals such as tubes, and paddle boards during the summer. Bikes are also available for rent, giving you and your family plenty to choose from for a weekend full of fun! PS: they also have locations in Tennessee and North Carolina. Learn more and check out the other locations!
2. Tallulah Gorge
Located an hour and a half northeast of Atlanta, the peaceful trails and beautiful views are sure to impress. The Gorge offers a variety of activities that include seasonal water activities, biking trails, geocaching, campgrounds, and hiking. Hiking down into the gorge requires a trail permit for access, which can be obtained at the park during your visit. However, there are many other areas and trails that do not require a permit, allowing visitors plenty to explore and experience. Experienced rock climbers can also obtain a permit to climb in various areas of the park. On select weekends in April and November, GA Power releases water into the gorge, providing enough water flow for Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking. Tallulah Gorge offers 1.3 miles of whitewater, with rapids ranging between class IV and V levels. These are not guided tours, so participants need to have a good understanding of reading water and the skillset to safely navigate Tallulah Gorge.
3. Stone Mountain
Located just 40 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Stone Mountain offers several options for groups of all sizes. With both day passes and annual passes available as well as year-round attractions this is a lovely place to spend the day. Some of the attractions include hiking trails, a sky ride, a scenic train ride, quarry exhibits, a “Dinotorium,” and self-guided historical tours. A Lazer Show is also available and changes throughout the year for various holidays and events.
4. Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island is located off the southeast coast by the border with Florida. Cumberland Island is not accessible by car, so visitors must book a ferry ride from St. Marys, GA to visit the island. Once on the island, there are many things to do, including marsh crawling, bike rentals, exploring some of the old structures on the island, and taking a walk on the 17 miles of uninterrupted beach. Tours of all kinds are available at most of the attractions. For hunting enthusiasts, Cumberland Island also offers managed hunts from October to January. There is only one hotel on Cumberland Island, but there are several campsites and more hotels in St Marys.
5. Providence Canyon
Providence Canyon, also called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” is located near Lumpkin GA about a 45-minute drive south of Columbus. Providence Canyon also has a museum and visitor center with information on the formation of the canyon and displays of early farming equipment. Providence Canyon is located on over 1,000 acres with hiking trails going both down into the canyon and looping around the canyon rim. They also have a handful of campsites as well as astrology and geology programs.