Georgia's 'Little Grand Canyon' Was Formed by Accident-and It Has 150-foot Drops and Scenic Hiking

""A true testament of man's impact on the land, Providence Canyon is one of the most outstanding examples of (accidental) manmade erosion, created less than 200 years ago by poor farming practices," Reba Bolton, the park's assistant manager, tells Travel + Leisure. Plus, she adds, while it may look like it's made of rock, Providence Canyon is formed by 43 different shades of sand and soil."

"Known as Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon," the park's gullies are as deep as 150 feet, and they're incredibly fragile. Visitors are reminded to keep on the trail and stay behind fences in case of a collapse. Keep that in mind as you explore the 2,706-acre park, and heed Bolton's wise words of advice: "You have to wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy and shoes with good traction, and hiking sticks are recommended," she warns."

"Start your Providence Canyon State Park journey at the visitor center, where you can pick up a map and ask for directions. "These trails can be tricky, and it's easy to end up on the wrong one," she says. Aside from marveling at the many-hued gullies, the main activity within the park is hiking, and Bolton has two suggestions. "The Canyon Loop Trail is 2.5 miles and goes around the rim of the canyons, giving a good view of the overlooks," she says."

Providence Canyon formed less than 200 years ago through poor farming practices and stands as a striking example of accidental, manmade erosion. The gullies reach depths up to 150 feet and expose 43 distinct shades of sand and soil, including kaolin, limonite, manganese, and red Georgia clay. The canyons are fragile, and visitors must remain on trails and behind fences to avoid collapses. The visitor center provides maps and directions to prevent getting lost on tricky trails. Hiking is the primary activity, with the Canyon Loop Trail offering a 2.5-mile rim route and scenic overlooks. Sturdy, mud-tolerant shoes, hiking sticks, and bringing food are recommended.

Read at Travel + Leisure