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Joel’s Journal: Cloudland Canyon State Park
By Joel Raeber
 Cloudland Canyon State Park, located in extreme northwest Georgia, is one of the most scenic parks in the state. The park is on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, just south of Chattanooga, TN, near Rising Fawn, GA. It straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek, and elevation range from 800 to 1,980 feet. As with many Georgia State Parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps did much of the early work on Cloudland Canyon. Be prepared for switchbacks and low-gear driving on the winding two-lane highway as you approach the park.
 The best view into the canyon is found at the picnic area. However, additional views can be found along the rim trails. The 5-mile West Rim trail weaves along the top of the canyon while the 6-mile Sitton Gulch Trail leads down into the canyon. Most of the hikes are moderately difficult, becoming strenuous on several short sections.
Fall is a great time to visit when the canyon sides are covered in colorful foliage. The best time for dramatic views of the Cumberland Plateau beyond the park is late Winter and early Spring, before the trees fill in and the haze of Summer.
 Visitors can hike to the bottom of the gorge to view two very nice waterfalls with pools below. The Waterfalls Trail begins at the main overlook, and is a steep 1-mile trip into the canyon. Both waterfalls cascade off of sheer faces at 60 and 90 feet, and are among the most beautiful in the state. Depending on the amount of rain in the area the waterfalls are sometimes not spectacular, but still worth the hike if you are up to the 1-mile climb back out. (There is a 600-step staircase.)
 There are two campgrounds in the park. The West Rim is the prettiest, with easy access to the West Rim trail. The East Rim campground is nearer the picnic area, playground and the easy canyon views.
The campgrounds are generally well maintained, and most of the sites are level and easy to pull a camper into. Water, electricity and sewer hook-ups are available at both campgrounds.
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