Cloudland Canyon State Park is in northwest Georgia, on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. Boulder-strewn Sitton Gulch Creek cuts a deep gorge into the mountain. Sitton's Gulch Trail runs parallel to the creek. The short, steep Waterfalls Trail, with stairs down into the canyon, leads to Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls, where water cascades down into pools. Nearby, Sitton’s Cave has mineral formations.
Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon is one of the largest and most scenic parks in the state. Home to thousand-foot deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland and abundant wildlife, the park offers ample outdoor recreation.
Hiking and mountain biking trails abound. The most popular hiking paths include the short Overlook Trail, strenuous Waterfalls Trail and moderate West Rim Loop Trail. Mountain biking is available at the newly developed Five Points Recreation Area and along the Cloudland Connector Trail. The park also offers disc golf, a fishing pond, trails for horseback riding, picnicking and overlooks. Guests seeking an overnight experience can choose from fully-equipped and comfortable cottages, quirky yurts or several different types of camping and backpacking options.
Reservations, Accommodations & Facilities
Enjoy the Canyon View
Although a good chunk of Cloudland Canyon State Park is composed of rugged backcountry and some challenging trails, the most spectacular canyon views can be found on the accessible Overlook Trail. Accessible parking is available in the picnic area parking lot, with level access over to the trailhead. There are also accessible picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area.
Make a right at the trailhead to take the Overlook Trail, as a left turn will put you on the inaccessible West Rim Loop Trail, which descends into the canyon. The Overlook Trail is wide and paved and mostly level, and is marked by light blue blazes on the trees. This half-mile trail winds along the canyon and offers some nice views along the way.
The most accessible overlook is located directly behind the interpretive center. Some manual wheelchair-users may require assistance with the slight grade, but it’s quite doable for most power wheelchair-users. There are also two more overlooks along the trail, but due to some aging Civilian Conservation Corps stone steps, they are not accessible.
After the second overlook the trail winds through the forest past a picnic table before it loses its access. Still it’s a pleasant one-mile round trip hike, with benches to sit and enjoy the forest along the way. And if you can’t manage the distance, at least stop for the beautiful canyon view behind the interpretive center.
Camp Out in an Accessible Yurt
If you’d like to spend the night at Cloudland Canyon State Park, then reserve a comfortable yurt. Yurt 10 is wheelchair accessible and can sleep up to six people. Accessible parking is available near the yurt, with a drop-off space directly in front of the level walkway to the front porch.
The yurt features wide doorways and wood floors and is outfitted with a 13-inch high bunk bed (bottom bunk) and a 19-inch high double futon. Other furnishings include four bar stools, a tall table, a shorter wheelchair-height table and some shelves. The yurt is also equipped with electric outlets, a ceiling fan and a heater. Linens are not provided, so make sure to pack along your sleeping bag.
There’s level access out to the private back porch that’s surrounded by the forest, and furnished with two Adirondack chairs and a small table. Out front there’s an accessible picnic table on a pad, a grill, a deer dressing stand and a water spigot. It’s a comfortable set up, and with only 10 yurts in the village, it’s not as crowded as the campgrounds.
The comfort station is located a short walk down a paved road; however there’s also an accessible parking space in front if you’d prefer to drive. The standard comfort station is not accessible, but there are two large accessible family restrooms next door. They each feature a toilet with grab bars, a roll-under sink and a full five-foot turning radius. The shower area includes a roll-in shower with grab bars, a fold-down shower bench and a hand-held shower head. And since these two units are mirror images, there’s a choice in regards to toilet grab bar placement.
