About 140 miles south of Atlanta, the little town of Lumpkin is home to one of the seven wonders of Georgia, Providence Canyon. This Georgia State recreation area has grown in popularity of the past few years. The canyon features colorful, sculpted walls that are reminiscent of a southwestern landscape, which is how it got its nickname, the Little Grand Canyon. The crazy thing is–it's not a natural phenomenon.
How Bad Farming Practices Created a Canyon
Providence Canyon was once farmland. In the 1800s, settlers migrated to the area and started growing cotton. They did not know that underneath all the red clay was lots of sandy soil. Over time, as the farmers continue to clear the land for more cotton crops, the top layer of soil started eroding away, exposing the sandy soil underneath.
Within 20 years, the farmers started seeing four to five-foot gullies forming on their land. And, in time, those gullies grew wider and deeper with every rain storm. Today, 200 years later, those gullies are now canyons that are 150 feet deep and 300 feet wide. According to Brianna Walker, interpretive naturalist at Providence Canyon, there's no slowing it down. The area continues to lose about three to five feet of canyon wall every year from rain. “We can't really do anything to stop it,” says Brianna, “because all of the sand is exposed.”
A Modern Natural Opportunity
Providence Canyon is now a great learning tool for geology, botany and human history. There are 43 different shades of sand ranging from light orange, salmon, red and scarlet to white, purple and pink. There are also kaolin and iron ore deposits throughout the canyon. One of the most interesting things about the canyon is the fact there’s always water in the bottom. The canyons eroded away so deep that its bottom has hit the water table. “It's not going to get any deeper,” says Brianna, but will continue to widen.
Plumleaf Azalea is a rare flower that blooms only during July and August in this region. [Photo by Georgia State Parks]
Because of the constant supply of water at the bottom of the canyon, there are several interesting plants like Big Leaf Magnolia tree and Plumleaf Azalea. Both are native Southern plants that do not grow naturally in many places. “Botanist from all over the world will come down to see the Plumleaf Azalea,” says Brianna.
The Hiking Tails
There are 16 different canyons in Providence Canyon. Around the rim, there are several viewing platforms. Mind the fences! The canyon continues to widen, and the fences are moved back often. They are not super-sturdy, so leaning on them is not recommended. The hike to the valley may be hard for those with heart conditions or limited mobility. There are many signs posted around the trail heads warning of the steep inclines. The three-mile trail exploring begins at the interpretive center and quickly descends along shaded switchbacks. Along the rim’s path, there are old cars that once belonged to the homestead. The old cars have become homes to a plethora of flora and fauna.
The canyon floor is about 1/4-mile hike. Once at the bottom, a sandy riverbed will lead hikers to canyon numbers 1-5. It’s wet and muddy, so wear appropriate shoes. Climbing the canyons is prohibited. The park tends to get busy in the afternoon, especially on the weekends. Try to hit the trails early for the best photos and smaller crowds.
The best time to visit Province Canyon is in the winter. The mild Georgia winters makes the off-season hikes and camping pleasant. Without all the deciduous foliage and vegetation, the full splendor of the canyon is on display. Plus, foot traffic dies down quite a bit. The park also features two picnic areas with playgrounds, plenty of shady areas to rest and a museum.
Where to Stay
Province Canyon has three pioneer camp sites and six back country camp sites. For more sites and amenities, Florence Marina State park is eight miles away with RV and tent campsites with full hookups, boat rentals, hiking trails, and a mini golf course for the kids. Florence Marina is a popular destination for RVers and boaters. It features a natural deep-water marina where the Chattahoochee River meets Lake Walter F. George. There are boat rentals available for fishing–there’s no shore fishing due to the alligators that live in the lake. The sites fill up fast, so reservations are recommended. The nearest large city is Columbus, which is about a 45-minute drive.
Other Fun Things To Do
Province Canyon and Florence Marina are located near the Alabama-Georgia line. There are several places of interest less than an hour’s drive from both sites. About five miles away from Florence Marina is Omaha Brewery. It’s a fun place to enjoy handcrafted beer, grab a bite to eat, and listen to live music. It’s a family and pet friendly place with plenty of games for the kids and water stations and shade for pets. There’s plenty of local history spots to explore near Columbus, GA. The National Infantry Museum and Port Columbus Civil War Naval Museum are less than an hour’s drive away. Other areas to visit include Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Flint RiverQuarium and Kolomoki Mounds State Park.