The Cozy Georgia Gem You Shouldn’t Miss on Your Next Road Trip

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The small town of Trenton is located in Georgia’s In the northwest corner lies the area shaded by Lookout Mountain. This valley, covered in woods and dotted with caves and caverns, along with the surrounding peaks and hills, makes for an ideal haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Discover the natural wonders It takes place this spring, just before the South's intense summer heat arrives. Once you're finished enjoying the great outdoors, go searching for antique treasures, indulge in some deliciously messy cuisine, and later relax at a brand-new luxurious lodge offering breathtaking mountain vistas.

See & Do

Head in the Clouds

You might easily spend a full day exploring Cloudland Canyon State Park, one of Georgia’s most spectacular natural wonders, without seeing everything it has to offer. Spanning across 3,500 acres crisscrossed by more than 60 miles of hiking paths, this park offers deep engagement with nature. Begin your adventure with a leisurely stroll along the One-Mile Overlook Trail to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the canyon from where it gets its name: the impressive Cloudland Canyon, over 1,000 feet deep, carved out long ago by Sitton Gulch Creek. For even better vantage points, tackle the extended West Rim Loop trail. If water features capture your interest, take the brief but challenging two-mile Waterfalls Trail leading to sparkling waterfalls like Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls. Should you find it hard to leave, consider staying; the park provides canvas-covered yurts available for rent overnight, complete with amenities such as a fire pit ideal for cooking, personal wooden decks, overhead fans, and electrical sockets.

gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon ; 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, Georgia 30738; Phone: 706-657-4050

Head ABOVE the Clouds

Elevate your spirits to “cloud nine” with a thrilling hang-gliding excursion at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Perched atop the lengthy ridge of Lookout Mountain, this location offers extensive, smooth glides that provide pilots with breathtaking vistas of the picturesque landscape beneath. As a family-run establishment since 1978, their introductory tandem flights ensure a peaceful flying experience even for those without prior experience—all you need is a zest for exploration. Should you land feeling eager for another exhilarating flight, consider enrolling in classes. The park’s accredited instructors are renowned not only for fostering a secure environment but also for promoting enthusiasm among aspiring aviators.

flylookout.com ; 7201 Scenic Highway, Rising Fawn, GA 30738; Phone: 706-383-1292

Down Under

Howard’s Waterfall Cave Preserve stretches three miles through the region’s limestone formations, offering numerous crevices, alcoves, and stone chambers suitable for novice explorers. While some areas involve narrow passages necessitating knee protection, expect to get dirty as it adds to the adventure—thus bringing extra attire afterward is advisable. Additionally, keep your eyes peeled for historical inscriptions left behind by early inhabitants like the ancient Cherokee people. Importantly though, you must obtain a permit from the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc., which oversees this protected site under their management.

saveyourcaves.org

Catch a Show

Slide into the uncomplicated joy of yesteryears by catching a film beneath the canopy of night skies at The Wilderness Theater, reminiscent of vintage drive-in cinemas and presently holding the title as the biggest open-air cinema globally. Throughout spring till autumn, the radiance from two movies playing concurrently casts a warm light over weekend evenings. (For more details, visit the venue’s) Facebook page For opening announcements. Watching from inside your car is not required; you can enhance your movie experience by setting up a lawn chair or spreading a blanket on the large grassy slope for an authentic outdoor cinema feeling. Be sure not to miss out on the treats—the burgers and cinnamon pretzels have received excellent feedback.

wildernesstheater.com ; 217 Old Hales Gap Road, Trenton, GA 30752; Phone: 706-657-8411

Hunt for Treasures

Explore your next obsession at The Shop on Main in downtown Trenton, where you'll find rows of upcycled and antique furnishings alongside fresh clothes and distinctive gift ideas. Afterward, visit Auntie Q’s to browse their extensive collection of vintage treasures ranging from glassware and toys to refurbished cast-iron cookware, ensuring you exit with a Sand Mountain Beach Club shirt featuring a playful raccoon and witty phrases. For more variety, check out Uncle Lar’s Outpost which stocks an unusual mix including jewelry, candles, regional honey, along with treats like ice cream and cupcakes, not forgetting some less conventional offerings such as ammunition.

Eat & Drink

Fuel Up

Corner Coffee offers a premium caffeine experience featuring steaming beverages from Chattanooga’s Goodman Coffee Roasters, available as cappuccinos, lattes, and others. However, this inviting place, complete with a bright outdoor seating area, is also renowned for its delicious sweet and savory treats. Savor their decadent chocolate-covered turtle cinnamon rolls or opt for something more substantial like a chicken pesto sandwich served on toasted sourdough bread.

ourcornercoffee.com ; 48 Court Street, Trenton, GA 30752; 706-500-1133

Pig Out

Savor the flavor of slowly smoked meats at Thatcher’s Barbecue and Grille, where this family-run establishment serves classic Southern barbecue dishes such as pulled pork and brisket platters alongside coleslaw and potato salad. They also offer unique options including their signature Hokey Smokey Sandwich—smoked roasted beef topped with provolone cheese, crispy fried onions, and horseradish sauce.

thatchersbbq.com/location/trenton ; 12366 North Main Street, Trenton, Georgia 30752, Phone: 706-657-6465

Stay

Unwind after a day of exploration at Cloudland at McLemore Resort, located merely eight miles away in Rising Fawn, Georgia. Situated on the brink of a rugged cliff with panoramic vistas of the fields and woodlands of the Cumberland Plateau, this newly-opened retreat in May 2024 provides various dining choices, an acclaimed golf course, a swimming pool complete with a poolside bar, and a serene spa area. Many visitors find joy in lounging around to admire the verdant valleys and gently sloping peaks in the far-off horizon.

staycloudland.com ; 243 Cloudland Drive, Rising Fawn, GA 30738; 888-391-1148

Related: The 18 Most Stunning Locations in Georgia, As Chosen By a Native Resident

Read the initial article on Southern Living

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