5 Great Places to Hike and Explore in Middle Georgia
Indian Springs is one of the oldest state parks in Georgia. This park has a lot of great history to explore. They have a small museum that is open seasonally and highlights the history of the Creek Indians who once inhabited the land, how the land became a park, the booming resort era, and the history of the CCC. This park is great for a family day trip. The park offers biking, hiking, fishing, paddling, picnicking, geocaching, boating, and mini-golfing. You can also explore the Village at Indian Springs nearby. There are some really cute shops, the historic Indian Springs hotel, a garden, and Marvelous Mavericks Adventureland playground. One of our favorite parts of the park is sitting by the stream and hopping along the rocks in the summertime. This park doesn’t have many hiking trails but the trail it does offer is one of our favorites in middle Georgia. It is the Dauset Trails multi-use connector trail. It is 6.5 miles total (3.25 miles both ways) and connects to Dauset Trails. It wraps around Lake McIntosh and can be used for biking or hiking. It is a moderate trail with a few nice hills. It is an easy day hike with lovely natural scenery. It’s also a plus that it connects to Dauset Trails. As this is a state park it does require a $ 5-day pass.
Read full story6 More Hidden Gems In The Great Smoky Mountains | Best Of The Smoky Mountains
Lying in the shallow water of Injun Creek the engine has remained here since the 1920's. There are multiple stories of how this Nichols and Shepard Steam Tractor Engine ended up here. The one we read most about was that the driver was drunk and accidentally drove it off the side of the mountain and rolled down into the creek. Another we heard was after a small miscalculation on the driver's part, the engine slid off of the road (trail) and tumbled into the creek. The driver jumped clear and no one was injured by the mishap. We are not quite sure of the true story but nevertheless, you can view the 100-year-old remnants about three miles down Grapeyard Ridge Trail.
Read full story3 Great Waterfalls to See in Shenandoah National Park
3 Great Waterfalls to See in Shenandoah National Park. This is the closest waterfall to Skyline Drive. The trailhead begins at the Dark Hollow Falls parking lot at mile 50.7 on the Skyline Drive. The hike to the falls is 1.4 miles out and back and you get 440 feet in elevation gain. It is rated as moderate. The falls is all downhill so the hike out is a little more strenuous. Pets are not allowed on this trail.
Read full story10 Helpful Tips For Beginner Hikers
Whether you are a beginner hiker or an established hiker who has gotten comfortable on the trail we all need to keep in mind a few things to help keep us safe on the trail and to enjoy our trips into nature as best we can. Here are a few tips we have learned that we think all hikers should be mindful of.
Read full story5 Georgia Backcountry Trails to Hike this Spring
The Jacks River Trail is a 9.3-mile out-and-back backcountry trail that extends through the remote Cohutta Wilderness in North Georgia, following its namesake river through a green, waterfall-filled river valley. Nine miles downstream from the Dally Gap trailhead, the trail opens up to the gorgeous Jacks River Falls tumbling over a rugged, rocky outcropping. This trail follows along the crystal clear Jacks River offering many rivers and stream crossings. Great for a Spring or summertime adventure.
Read full story6 Hidden Gems In The Great Smoky Mountains | Hidden Gems You Probably Didn't Know About
This tunnel, Thomas Divide Tunnel, was designed to keep hikers from having to cross over Clingmans Dome Road. More history on the Tunnel can be found here. How to get here: At the beginning of the road to Clingman’s Dome you’ll see the access gates and during December through around the beginning of March they are closed for the season. If it is not the off-season and the gates are open then you will drive up some and there is a pull-off on the right side of the road right after the access gates. If it is the off-season you can park in the Newfound Gap Parking Area and walk up the road. From the pull-off after the access gate, you will walk under a ¼ mile up Clingman’s Dome road to the stone bridge. The Tunnel is right under that bridge.
Read full story5 Hikes in Shenandoah National Park with the Best Views
5 Hikes in Shenandoah National Park with the Best Views. There are two routes for Bearfence Mountain. One contains a rock scramble with 360 degree views and the other takes you to the viewpoint without the rock scramble. Both trails start at the parking lot. The Rock Scramble hike is 1.4 miles roundtrip. The Viewpoint hike is 1.1 miles roundtrip. There will be a fork shortly into the trail. Continue straight for the rock scramble or go right for the viewpoint.
Read full storyMingus Mill: Historic mill in Great Smoky Mountains
Right inside of the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just after the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee is a historic grist mill from the 1800’s that is still functional to this day.
Read full storyBeat The Crowds In The Great Smoky Mountains | Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
Everyone knows the Cades Cove Loop Trail. It is one of the most popular scenic drives in the Great Smoky Mountains. But if you are looking for a lesser-known but still beautiful scenic mountain drive with all the overlooks, historic structures, waterfalls, and sites, the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is just for you! It is a 5.5 mile one-way scenic drive right on the edge of Gatlinburg, with all of the beauty and a portion of the crowds. It also provides access to some of the most popular spots in the Smokies, like Grotto Falls and Rainbow Falls, the highest single drop waterfall in the Smokies. If you are looking for something free to do in the Smokies this is a great place to see nature and possibly spot a few black bears like we did.
Read full storyA Beautiful Hike To Crabtree Falls
If you are exploring along the Blue Ridge Parkway one of our favorite stops that we have made in the North Carolina portion is to see Crabtree Falls. It is a relatively short loop hike right outside of Little Switzerland that has a beautiful waterfall. We were able to go during peak season and all the fall foliage showed out! I love being in the mountains during peak season and getting to see a waterfall surrounded by all the reds, yellows, and oranges of fall is a magnificent sight to see!
Read full storyExploring Grandfather Mountain & The Mile High Swinging Bridge
Grandfather Mountain and McRae peak in the distanceNick & Rachel. Are you looking for your next adventure? Well, Grandfather Mountain is considered the most technical hike, that doesn’t require climbing gear, east of the Mississippi. It’s also referred to as the “chutes and ladders” trail because there are many spots where you have to use ladders and cables to climb the ridge.
Read full storyThe Browning Knob plane crash | Directions on how to find it
On November 24, 1983, Thanksgiving night, a Cessna 414 was flying from West Chicago to the Jackson County Airport in Sylva, North Carolina. On board the plane were pilot Ernest Martin, and passenger, Centa Jarrett. The plane crashed into the mountain at around 6,000 feet. Both the pilot and passenger died upon impact. The probable cause of the crash was determined to be due to low visibility from low lying clouds and precipitation. The pilot was either unaware or unconcerned of the weather that awaited him. As a matter of fact, he did not file a flight plan that is required for weather conditions such as what they experienced. Additionally, the FAA found a blood alcohol level of .04%. The wreckage was uncovered by Civil Air Patrol members a week later near the summit of Waterrock Knob. Much of the Cessna 414 is still up there on the mountain. The plane could have made it over the mountain if it had just been about 150 feet higher. It is equally eerie and interesting to see the sight.
Read full storyGeorgia's Little Grand Canyon Providence Canyon State Park
Known as Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon, Providence Canyon is located in Lumpkin, Georgia. About 45 minutes from Columbus and Fort Benning. It is also considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia.
Read full story10 Must See Waterfalls In North Carolina Waterfall | Road Trip
- Looking Glass Falls is located right off of U.S. 276. From Brevard, take U.S. 276 north, about 5 miles past the entrance to Pisgah National Forest. The falls will be on your right. You can park along the road or in the parking area. The falls can be viewed from an overlook near the road. No hike is required.
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