Providence Canyon State Park

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On Sunday we took a last-minute trip up to Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia.   They call it one of the 7 wonders of Georgia and it was gorgeous!  Some refer to it as the Little Grand Canyon, although this landform actually resulted from erosion caused by poor farming practices in the 1800s.

Where is Providence Canyon State Park?

Located in western Georgia, and not too far off the Chattahoochee River, this popular Georgia State Park is central to Columbus, Macon, and Albany in Georgia and Montgomery, Auburn, and Dothan in Alabama.   The nearest town to Providence Canyon is Lumpkin.  To be honest it’s kind of our in the middle of not-to-much.  As you approach, miles of pine trees and lumber operations make it almost the last thing that you would expect to see.

Here is a map! It’s interactive so feel free to zoom in and or out and to get directions from when you live.

It is actually not too far from Eufaula, Alabama and if you are looking to camp close by you can read about our camping trip to White Oak Creek here.

What to Expect on your Visit

The park has a great visitors center and is very family-friendly.    There are two main trails located at Providence Canyon State Park.

The Backcountry Trail is a rugged 7-mile hike but the well-worn Canyon trail was a perfect 2.5 miles. and is the go-to for most visitors, especially those with younger children.   About a quarter-mile into it you are already at the canyon floor and you can get off that trail and explore the different canyon trails.   There are 16 in total with 4 and 5 being the most popular among visitors.   These are the wet ones (that lie on the water table) that you will see in our video!  Once done you can get back onto the  Canyon Trail and basically circle the whole canyon area.  Towards the end their are several viewing points where you can stop and marvel at where you just were!

Here is a little more about Providence Canyon State park straight from the Georgia State Park Website:

Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” is a testament to the power of man’s influence on the land. Massive gullies as deep as 150 feet were caused simply by poor farming practices during the 1800s, yet today they make some of the prettiest photographs within the state. The rare Plumleaf Azalea grows only in this region and blooms during July and August when most azaleas have lost their color. The canyon soil’s pink, orange, red and purple hues make a beautiful natural painting at this quiet park.

Visitors can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail, taking care to stay behind fences and off the fragile canyon edge. Hikers who explore the deepest canyons will usually find a thin layer of water along the trail, indication of the water table below. Guests who hike to canyons 4 and 5 may want to join the Canyon Climbers Club. Backpackers can stay overnight along the backcountry trail which highlights portions of the canyon and winds through mixed forest. Camping, cottages, and efficiency units are available nearby at Florence Marina State Park on 45,000 acre Lake Walter F. George.

Tips  Your Visit to Providence Canyon State Park

Make sure to bring water-friendly shoes! Depending on the time of year and recent precipitation the bottom of the canyon can have quite a bit of water.  So, closed-toe water shoes are a must! Be prepared for them to get muddy.

Bring plenty of water on hot days and pack some light snacks, like trail mix, in your backpack.

The park can get very busy on nice days so I would recommend getting there as early as possible in the day to ensure you get a parking spot and fewer crowds so that you can enjoy the adventure as you hike through.

Fun Fact about Providence Canyon State Park

There are two fun historical Presidential sites in this area that I am kicking myself for not visiting while up there!

First, about 30 miles East is Jimmy Carter’s hometown of Plains, GA and he still lives there in a modest home. You can read more here.  And about an hour and 20 minutes north (on the way-ish if coming from Atlanta ) lies FDR’s Little White House and another Georgia State Park to explore.

YouTube Video about Providence Canyon State Park

We have a new YouTube video up about this just outing.  Please take a minute and subscribe to our channel!

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