Providence Canyon State Park

Yesterday I packed up the 3 kiddos into the car and headed for Po-Dunk-No-Where, Georgia. We decided to go hike around Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area. It was a spur of the moment thing, but it is something that I've been wanting to do for nearly a year. We made some sandwiches, pack A LOT of water and then hit the road. It was a quicker drive than the beach, but still not right down the road.

There were no rangers or workers there to ask questions about the place/get pointers. There were 2 bathroom locations: 1 by the playground where you can view the canyons from the top down, and the other 1 was at the trailhead to the hike down into the canyons. The office was closed, and parking was on the honorary system, where you take an envelop, deposit your $5 cash or check and place the envelope in the collection box. I learned that Wednesdays parking is FREE, so go on a Wednesday to say yourself $5!

View from the top down

This is Georgia (towards the southern end of the state), so the weather was hot. The bugs were tolerable. I was annoyed by a few mosquitoes, but nothing that a little movement couldn't cure. The trail to the river floor is shaded and fairly decent. my 3 year old was able to walk the entire thing with only 1 or 2 slips. That said, if it is wet I imagine it would be very slippery.

Hike down to the riverbed

You have a few options for hiking once at the riverbed. I do not say river because there was only a minuscule trickle of water while we were there.

The riverbed as you finish the hike down from the trailhead

Your first option is to do the 7 mile hike that loops all the way around the park.

Your second option is a 3 mile (white trail) hike that loops around the main canyons.

Your third option is to walk up the riverbed into the various canyons (to view them from the bottom up).

We chose the third option and only visited canyons 3 and 1.

If you are going to do the 7 mile loop, once reaching the riverbed, turn right and follow your map (which can be obtained outside the office, by the bathrooms at the trailhead).

If you are going to do the 3 mile (white trail), once reaching the riverbed, go straight across the riverbed and follow the map (same one that has the 7 mile loop) and the white blaze markings.

If you are going to view canyons 6 through 9, once reaching the riverbed, turn right and follow the riverbed up into the varying canyons. There should be signs, but if they are like the ones for canyons 1-5, the signage will most likely be covered by foliage. So take a map and when there is a fork, consult your map, then look for signage if not visible.

Heading to the left to go view canyons 1 through 5

If you are going to view canyons 1 through 5, once reaching the riverbed, turn left and follow the riverbed up into the varying canyons.

The signage for the fork for canyons 1-3 and 4 &5

Canyons 4 and 5 fork off the the right and 1 through 3 fork off to the left at the first branching.

We headed left and in a few hundred feet forked off to the right to view canyon number 3. The signage for canyon 3 is well hidden behind trees.

Canyon 3 is on the right side, the signage is BEHIND that big ol' bush!

Heading back to canyon 3

Canyon 3 from the bottom up

Hiking up in canyon 3

To go back out to other canyons, retrace your steps backwards until you intercept a turn and then choose left or right.

The main riverbed is rather sunny, but when you branch off to hike up into the individual canyons it becomes more shaded. Bring sunglass none the less. I would recommend water shoes or sandals instead of tennis shoes since you will be hiking in wet sandy soil (though the 3 mile white trail looked like it was more packed dirt than river walking). Let the kids splash around in what little water there is. I think they enjoyed that more than looking at the awe inspiring beauty.

Having fun in the water

Who wouldn't want to roll around in the red mud?

Upon returning to the trailhead from your hike there is a faucet to the right of the stairs by the covered porch that you can clean your feet (or body if you are my 3 year old child) off at.

Who doesn't want to go hiking now?!