If you love mountain views, crashing waterfalls, winding forest trails and clear lakes, then this North Georgia state parks road trip is for you.
We’re talking epic overlooks, secret swimming spots and even a mysterious ancient wall (yep, really).
This route takes you through some of the most drop-dead gorgeous parks in the state, each one packed with cool stuff to do and beautiful places to explore.
So grab your hiking shoes and get ready because these parks are way too good to miss.
1. Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park sits atop Lookout Mountain, just a few miles from the Tennessee border.
It’s known for its massive canyons, 1,000-foot-deep gorges, and two stunning waterfalls—Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls.
You can hike the super popular Waterfalls Trail, a short but steep 1.8-mile round-trip with 600 stairs.
The park also features 64 miles of hiking paths, summer cave tours, disc golf, and some of the best sunset views in the state.
2. Fort Mountain State Park
Next up is Fort Mountain State Park, located within the Cohutta Mountains just outside the town of Chatsworth.
This place offers a different vibe, thanks to dense forests, mountain overlooks, and an 855-foot-long ancient rock wall that nobody really knows the story behind.
The 0.8-mile West Overlook Trail gives you a front-row seat to epic valley views and you can extend the hike with the Stone Wall Trail that passes right by the ancient wall.
If you’re up for more adventure, try the Cool Springs Loop for mountain biking or paddle the peaceful 17-acre lake with a rental kayak.
3. Amicalola Falls State Park
Then there’s Amicalola Falls State Park, where Georgia’s tallest waterfall plunges a breathtaking 729 feet.
Located near Dawsonville at the edge of the North Georgia mountains, it’s a favorite for casual hikers as well as Appalachian Trail pros.
You can climb the 604-step staircase alongside the waterfall or take the easier West Ridge Falls Access Trail, which is just 0.3 miles and fully ADA-accessible.
For something more intense, you can hike 8.5 miles from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern starting point of the Appalachian Trail.
4. Don Carter State Park
If you’re craving some lake time, Don Carter State Park is the perfect escape, set along the northern tip of the 38,000-acre Lake Lanier.
It’s Georgia’s newest state park and the only one with direct access to the lake, featuring a big sandy beach perfect for swimming or sunbathing.
You can rent kayaks or paddleboards, fish from the shore, or hit the 1-mile Woodland Loop Trail for an easy hike through a pine forest.
There are also fully equipped cabins right by the water, so you can wake up and walk straight to the lake with your morning coffee.
5. Vogel State Park
Up next is Vogel State Park, one of Georgia’s oldest parks, located at the base of Blood Mountain near Blairsville.
It’s got a 22-acre lake that’s ideal for paddle boating and a super scenic 1-mile Trahlyta Lake Trail that’s great for hikes.
For something more challenging, the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail lets you climb up to an overlook with sweeping views of the mountains.
Beyond the trails, Vogel is also known for its peaceful campground, cute stone cottages, and a mini waterfall right behind the visitor center.
6. Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Just down the road from Helen, Unicoi State Park & Lodge offers both mountain adventure and the charm of a nearby Alpine-style town.
The park’s got ziplining, archery, paddleboarding, and a 53-acre lake where you can swim or just chill on the beach.
You can also hike the 0.9-mile round-trip trail to Anna Ruby Falls, where twin waterfalls crash down 153 and 50 feet in a lush, fern-filled canyon.
And if you’re into cool places to stay, the park’s barrel-shaped cabins make sleeping in the woods way more fun.
7. Black Rock Mountain State Park
If you’re chasing big views, Black Rock Mountain State Park is the highest state park in Georgia, sitting at 3,640 feet above sea level.
It’s in the tiny town of Mountain City and serves up epic mountain overlooks, especially from the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail.
On a clear day, you can even spot four different states—Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee—all from one scenic viewpoint.
Beyond that, the park also features a small lake, backcountry campsites, and some of the best leaf-peeping in Georgia when fall rolls around.
8. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Capping it all off, Tallulah Gorge State Park is the grand finale with a jaw-dropping canyon that plunges about 1,000 feet deep and stretches two miles long.
You can hike the rim trails for incredible views, or grab a free permit (limited daily!) to go down into the gorge and cross the suspension bridge 80 feet above the river.
From there, the Sliding Rock Trail leads to the stunning Bridal Veil Falls—just be ready for a steep, rocky, and seriously intense hike.
This park also hosts a few special “water release” days when kayakers ride the roaring Tallulah River, and it’s wild to watch from the overlooks.
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