Hiking Providence Canyon State Park Trails

Known as one of the "Seven Wonders of Georgia" and Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon," hiking the Providence Canyon trails proved to be an exhilarating afternoon experience for my boys, mom, and myself—in spite of the cold, light rainfall.

Back in January, we decided to set out to visit Providence Canyon State Park because we wanted to do something outdoors and fun. Well, actually, the truth is that I often develop cabin fever when I've sat inside for too long. It's almost like an itch that needs to be scratched. I tend to prefer hiking because it's good for my kids, plus it wears out some of their energy. Not only that but I enjoy hiking the outdoors. 

Plus, my mom mentioned she wanted to visit all the "Seven Wonders of Georgia." I've never been to any of them so it was a great idea to me. To be honest, I never even knew these "wonders" existed until she mentioned them so it naturally piqued my interest.

History of Providence Canyon State Park

It was identified as one of the "Seven Wonders of Georgia" by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and is protected by Providence Canyon State Park, which contains 1,003 acres. It's one of 60 parks in the state of Georgia. The formation of the canyons is attributed to years of poor farming methods in the 1800s. Instead of being formed by rivers, these gullies were formed from rainwater runoff from nearby farming fields. 

Its striking similarities to the canyons in the western region of the U.S. earned it the nickname, "Little Grand Canyon." The 16 canyons, some as deep as 150 feet, consist of up to 43 colorful soils that are popular among hikers, photographers, and visitors from all over. The soils that make up the unique landscape are expected to continue to erode as time goes by. 

You have the option of hiking down to the creek bed and following one of two hiking trails. Hike the Backcountry Trail, which is about seven miles long and clearly marked in red. This hike is estimated to take about six hours to complete. It's rated for being a more difficult and rugged hike than the shorter trail, the Canyon Loop.

Because of time constraints and since I wasn't certain if my seven-year-old could handle the hike, we chose the Canyon Loop Trail, which was about two and a half miles in length. This trail was marked in white. It took about two hours to complete, I believe. The creek beds and some of the trails were wet and muddy. It rained lightly off and on while we were out on the trail.

Along the way, we found a lot of rusted cars that have been sitting out there since the homestead. Animals use them for shelter and/or dwelling. Local officials determined it would be too detrimental to remove the old vehicles and have left them where they sit.

There were several picture-perfect spots but unfortunately on the day we went, as I mentioned, it was lightly raining. I don't have anything to protect the lens of my camera from the rain so I left it in the car. I took some pictures with my phone but they pale in comparison to the scenery I saw with my own eyes. 

Providence Methodist Church & Graveyard

To replace an older church building, a new one was built on the grounds in 1859 that is apparently only used occasionally for special services. We also explored the graveyard sitting next to it. The graves dated pretty far back and even included soldiers laid to rest there, which I thought was really neat. 

Personally, I enjoyed looking around the graveyard because it seemed extremely peaceful but my boys thought it was creepy that we were walking around (respectfully) and examining the graves. It's not everyone's cup of tea, apparently. 😏

Safety & Pertinent Info

It's extremely important that when you hike these trails, you stay away from the edge. Don't go around the overlooks or over the fences. The soil is highly susceptible to collapse due to erosion. This means: Don't do something stupid like a handstand on the edge of these cliffs because you could very well plummet to your death. The fences are there to protect you. Follow the rules.

You might want to wear clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting a little muddy or wet. Hiking clothes are encouraged for the simple fact that nobody cares if they get dirty or ruined. FYI: The orange-colored clay absolutely can stain your clothes. 

Also, some of the hills are quite steep. Wear shoes that have an adequate grip on the soles. If you have any type of health issues that might be aggravated from these slightly moderate to above moderate hiking conditions, then I would consider speaking with your doctor before heading out on these trails.

You'll find the park located about 150 miles SW of Atlanta. If you're coming from the Opelika/Auburn area, then you'll want to come in from Hwy 280 and head south on Hwy 27. If you're somewhat familiar with the area, then you'll know it's not too far from Columbus, GA:

Providence Canyon State Park 
8930 Canyon Road
Lumpkin, GA 31815

It's open daily. Hours are as follows:
Sept 15 to April 14 - 7am to 6pm
April 15 to Sept 14 - 7am to 9pm

Parking
Sorry, parking is not free. The ParkPass is valid at all Georgia state parks. The ParkPass is not valid at any state historic sites. 

The ParkPass fees are as follows:
1-12 passenger vehicles - $5/day or $50 for an annual pass
13-30 passenger vehicles - $30/day or $75 for an annual pass
31+ passenger vehicles - $70/day or $250 for an annual pass
Georgia active duty military/veterans - $3.75/day or $37.50 for an annual pass



You can reach them for more information by calling (229) 838-6870 or you can visit their website. For reservations, call (800) 864-7275.

They have a museum, bathroom facilities, overnight camping and some programs for the public to enjoy. They also have an area for picnics and a children's playground when you're ready for a break from hiking or looking around. 

It's an absolutely wonderful place to explore and the exercise is really great for you too! We had an amazing time hiking and looking around at the beautiful colors of the canyon walls. If hiking and nature mixed in with a bit of history is your thing then you should put hiking Providence Canyon State Park trails on your bucket list.

Reduce Stress When Flying

I'm always looking for ways to make life simpler, especially since the holidays have arrived. Many of you will be hopping on a plane somewhere to visit family and friends. About nine years ago, I flew in a commercial jet for the very first time. It was extremely overwhelming and I hated the airports. The parking, crowds of people, security, and a bouncy three-year-old made me want to just quit that day. I'm certain other parents can relate to my initial experience. Fast forward, with many flights under my belt, I have figured out how to minimize the hassles of flying.

I've even flown several with an infant in first class (it was that or buy two seats for comfort, which I've seen other mothers with infants do). He was amazingly quiet and slept pretty much the entire time. I've received many compliments because he wasn't fussy. I honestly believe it was a combination of being prepared and luck. Actually, I tend to receive compliments about my children's behavior when we're traveling, but I digress; this post is not about my children's behavior. I will point out that they're amazing little travelers, though.

Flying can be extremely stressful for someone who is not a seasoned traveler. At this point, I'm seasoned enough that when traveling by plane, I whip through security and long halls, filled with massive quantities of people, like an amazing race car driver. Flying takes the least amount of time to get across the country, but traveling by car is more convenient if you have a lot of luggage. Usually, the associated costs when traveling by car are more than flying, unless you're flying internationally. Obviously, flying across the country is normally completed in a single day of travel but it's a rushed experience. 

Maybe if someone had passed along some traveling advice related to flying, I wouldn't have been as frustrated, which is why I've compiled this list for others who are going to jumping on a plane. Check it out:

When to Fly

Pick a day and time that fits your needs. Typically, consultants depart the airport early on Mondays or Tuesdays. If you don't feel like waking up at 4 a.m. to catch a flight, then select a time closer to lunch. It is less to fly on Wednesday or Thursday. Sundays and Mondays are often the most expensive days for flying.

If you're not flying direct and have to land at another airport for a connection, allow about one to two hours between flights. It's a precaution if you haven't researched the flight for the frequency of delays. You can find out if the flight has a pattern of being late or is mostly on schedule. Plan accordingly.

You can find an assortment of travel deals from companies offering discounted airline tickets from different airlines. You never know what you'll find if you choose your first option. In my book, cheap airfare is an added bonus to any trip because then I'll have more to spend when I arrive at my destination.

Checking In

You can typically check in up to 24 hours prior to departing. If you check in prior to arriving, then you remove the need to stand in a long, time-consuming line to check-in and print your boarding pass. Speaking of, print your boarding pass before arriving or save the trees and download it to your mobile device. 

Most often, you can check your luggage in if you decide to check-in online. Just drop it off once you get inside the airport. Another convenience that I like utilizing is curbside check-in. If the airline you travel with offers curbside check-in, take advantage of it. There may be an additional fee for it, check with your airline for additional details.

Getting to the Airport

Try to get a ride or a cab to the airport. There are companies that will quote a set fare to pick you up and drop you off at the airport. If you're planning on being out of town for several weeks, the fare for a cab will be much less than if you park in the garage. Of course, a family member or friend is an even better idea. If you're going to park in the garage, give yourself at least 30 minutes to unload your luggage, the family, and walk over to the airport.

Security

Here's the thing: nobody likes going through security because it's a pain in the ass, but it's a necessary pain to keep everyone safe. You want to make it through as quickly as possible. Have your passport, ID, and boarding pass ready. If you're carrying on liquids, keep them in a container no larger than 3.4 oz. Some, not all, security workers make you either throw away or check in anything larger. You don't want to have to throw away that brand new bottle of expensive face wash. Just play it safe and keep carry-on liquids under 3.4 oz.

If you're traveling alone or with family, stick with simple shoes and comfortable clothing. Put your shoes in the tub along with your belt, if you're wearing one. As far as electronics are concerned, when you're going through security, the only thing they really care about is your laptop. You can keep your iPad, iPod, camera, phone, etc, tucked away in their bags. 

Also, keep your jewelry in your carry-on luggage. A few years ago, I accidentally left my jewelry in my checked-in luggage and it was stolen by someone handling the luggage. It actually made me sad instead of angry because I don't wear a lot of jewelry and the items held sentimental value. Take it from me, bring your precious items on the plane.

Also, pay attention and work with those traveling with you. There is an opportunity for theft while you're going through security—if you're not paying attention. When traveling alone, watch your belongings as they go down the belt as you're going through the scanner. Check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before traveling for updated information on the items you can bring on board.

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Snacks, Drinks, etc... 

In the past, if you brought an empty water bottle with you to fill up after passing through security, it was difficult because the fountains were not optimally designed. Water would spill out of your water bottle, with it hardly halfway filled! However, now, they have water bottle filling stations. I know they've been around for a little while now, but I wanted to mention them in case you've never flown or ever noticed. I love these stations. Large amounts of plastic waste are reduced because they've added these.

Bring snacks, blanket, headphones, and whatever else you might want. If you're flying first class or business class, it's free. Although, I never actually use the blanket because I bring a cardigan or a fleece for when I feel cold. I typically put the blanket behind my back with the pillow. I never use the headphones either.

Distractions such as books, iPads/iPods, or coloring books will be your savior if you're flying with children. Believe me, you won't be getting any rest or relaxation, so you should be armed with as many distractions as you can manage. Flying is boring! Children can't even sit still for five minutes, yet people expect them to simply "deal" when stuck on a plane for four hours. Distractions work like a charm. Snacks do too!

Have you ever experienced motion sickness? Commercial flights are relatively mild when compared to smaller planes. If you're extremely prone to motion sickness, take something for it, like an over the counter medication or ginger pills. Everyone's sensitivity is at different levels. It's better to be prepared than wishing for something to make the room stop swaying.

These are just some of the things I've learned throughout the years. If you have any suggestions or comments that you would like to add, please feel free to do so by leaving a comment below!

Thanks for reading and happy travels!