Cloudland Canyon State Park
Rising Fawn, GA
A deep sandstone gorge on the west side of Lookout Mountain, with rim overlooks steps from the parking lot and a staircase trail of about 600 steps down to two waterfalls. Parking fee; the campground is popular in autumn.
Cloudland Canyon State Park sits on the western edge of Lookout Mountain and covers about 3,500 acres (1,400 ha). The gorge, cut into Pennsylvanian sandstone by Sitton Gulch Creek, is more than 1,000 feet (300 m) deep. You reach two overlooks on the Overlook Trail, about 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip. The Waterfalls Trail leads to the two falls, Cherokee Falls (roughly 60 to 65 feet, or 18 to 20 m) and Hemlock Falls (roughly 90 to 100 feet, or 27 to 30 m), by way of about 600 stairs that you climb back up on the return. The falls carry the most water after rain.
The area became a state park in 1939. The West Rim Loop is about 5 miles (8 km) long, and the Sitton’s Gulch Trail runs along the canyon floor. The main entrance is on GA-136 near Rising Fawn. The campground has 75 tent, trailer and RV sites with electric hookups; there are also walk-in tent sites, yurts and cottages.
- Nearest town
- Rising Fawn, GA
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 34.8338, -85.4817
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Backcountry 1Campsite1 mi from Cloudland Canyon State ParkTentsToilets
- Durham Backcountry CampsiteCampsite4 mi from Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Nickajack CampsiteCampsite5 mi from Cloudland Canyon State ParkTents
- Moonshine CampsiteCampsite8 mi from Cloudland Canyon State ParkTents
- Indian Springs CampgroundsCampsite20 mi from Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Desoto State Park Improved CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Cloudland Canyon State Park · 94 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterDogs allowed
All campsites in Georgia · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Cloudland Canyon State Park?
Cloudland Canyon State Park is in Rising Fawn, GA, at GPS 34.8338, -85.4817. It is about 15 mi from Fort Oglethorpe.
Can you camp near Cloudland Canyon State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is East Rim Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 73 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Cloudland Canyon State Park?
Cloudland Canyon State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Northwest Georgia: Kennesaw to Cloudland Canyon and Chickamauga.
What is there to see near Cloudland Canyon State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Point Park, Lookout Mountain (14 mi), Chickamauga Battlefield (15 mi), DeSoto State Park (24 mi) and Foster Falls (26 mi).
When is the best time to visit Cloudland Canyon State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)