The Yankees in New England and upstate New York tend to get the credit for the best fall foliage in the country. And indeed, they do have some great spots; no wonder that cities like New York and Boston are full of the ugg-wearing, pumpkin spice-drinking, “basic” 20-somethings. But the South has got a surprising number of great places to see the leaves as well. As a native of Georgia, I know that my home state has got plenty to offer year-round. Here are a few of the great fall destinations in Georgia.
Cloudland Canyon State Park: At this park, you can hike the Sitton Gulch Trail into a canyon, passing through unique waterfalls, and getting a unique perspective on the gorge 800 to 1,980 feet below you.
Dahlonega: Since its 1828 gold rush, Dahlonega has been attracting visitors, except now the gold they look for is on the leaves. It’s a small town with plenty of history, hiking trails, fall festivals, vineyards, and more, just 65 miles north of Atlanta.
FD Roosevelt State Park: South of Atlanta, rolling mountains such as Dowdell’s Knob are a burst of golden color. The best place to see this foliage is at FD Roosevelt State Park, the largest park in Georgia with more than 40 miles of hiking trails.
Whitesburg: The town of Whitesburg is home to Historic Banning Mills, which in addition to plenty of history offers a zip-wire course that boasts to be the longest in the world. This offers a unique perspective on the leaves changing colors below.
Tallulah Gorge State Park: In northern Georgia stands Tallulah Gorge, a two-mile long, 1,000 foot canyon. It offers stellar views year-round, but in the fall it become something especially astounding. The first three weekends of November mark the “whitewater release”, when kayakers paddle through the gorge and its Class IV and V rapids.