Cloudland Canyon State Park near Chattanooga Tennessee
For the 5th trip this summer, we head to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Northeast Georgia. This Park offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities and is within easy striking of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The reviews for this park and this part of the state gets high marks.
The start of our stay was quite rainy. In between the rain drops we found terrific views. Wide range of trails easy, moderate to challenging. The views along the rim trails are outstanding. There is an impressive falls on the canyon floor. Getting down was easy. Took a lot more effort to get back up.
Our arrival was rainy with plenty of low flying clouds
On a clear day you can see forever…
Impressive canyon trails. Prominent fencing with unique stone posts.
Easy hike to this scenic view just outside the campground.
The clouds added interest to this view
These stairs have withstood the test of time.
Lots of stairs to work your way down to the floor of the canyon
This bridge leads to the other side of the rim where the trail continues.
Takes a bit of work to get to this falls but worth it!
Always looking for that “interesting” friend along the trail. I think this fellow looks like an Eagle?
Guardian for anyone entering the campground
Then there was the side trip to Chattanooga. The city has done a great job with the Riverfront. The Riverwalk is extensive and well done. Checking it out was both fun and rewarding. The City Aquarium is outstanding then there is the Hunter Museum of America. The art along the trail kept us entertained. There is a pedestrian bridge making it easy to check out both side of the river. So many good places to have lunch, it was hard to decide.
Downtown Chattooga has a lot to offer
This is the other side of the impressive aquarium
The Hunter Museum of American Art is very impressive. This couple is celebrating the pile of money they are sitting on. The creator leaves it open as to where it came from?
There are eye catching and imaginative sculptures along this very pleasurable Tennessee River Trail.
This guy is keeping track of downtown Chattanooga.
A wheel chair friendly way to access the riverfront trail.
The Walnut Street pedestrian bridge is an asset to downtown Chattanooga. We crossed this bridge twice. The first time for fun and the second to get to the restaurant of choice on the other side.
The Walnut Bridge view that caught my eye.
This park has lots to offer. Fun stop for sure.
On our way to Florida in 1971, we stopped at Lookout Mountain. We repeated the Lookout Mountain Parkway drive, looking forward to its commanding views. One of our stops was Point Military Park where we had visited in 1971. Unexpectedly, it brought back a flood of memories. Life for us is certainly different for us now as we edge our way through our seventies. The military park is a historic treasure along with the impressive overlook of the city and river.
The Lookout Parkway has so many eye catching views.
Lookout Mountain Parkway a must do drive. Along the way we took in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park at Point Park.
The park is well kept plus more importantly tells a rich historic story at a key point in time.
Jan and I were here in 1971 on our way to Florida…wow, was that 50 years ago!
The park has a commanding view of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River
Jan caught me taking one last look before we had to leave.
Jan and I really enjoyed the time here. There is a lot to do at the Cloudland Canyon State Park and in Chattanooga. The plan is to return soon. Now our thoughts turn to our next trip to Red Top Mountain in north Georgia.
God bless,
Larry and Jan