The Ultimate Guide to Tallulah Gorge: Trail Running, Camping, Hiking at Tallulah Gorge
Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge is not for the faint of heart. The height overlooking the running water is pulse racing to the point of dizzying. It is spectacular and a sight that everyone must see at once in their life. Of course, there are many other activities to pursue here other than crazy high descents and suspension bridges, but the 1000 feet deep gorge is really the highlight of any trip to Tallulah. If you are up for it though, it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
When you first arrive at the Tallulah Gorge State Park, there are a few different options to choose from. The most popular is the 39 mile “Escape Road Trail” which traverses both North and South Carolina. However, there are other cool things to do here as well. If you are interested in overnight stays or camping, check out the North Carolina side. The campsites are nicely shaded and neat to stay in. If you choose to spend the night here, there is no fee required at all! It is free to stay for up to seven days.
There are also hiking trails along the gorge with varying degrees of difficulty. I recommend checking out Tallulah Gorge State Park’s website, which offers downloadable maps to guide you through all of the hiking trails. I have included one for example below.
There are a ton of cool spots throughout the park that make great places to hang out and relax. There is a swimming area with a lifeguard watching over kids in the water at all times. The water is refreshing and cool on the hot summer days, which are plentiful throughout the south. There are also tons of picnic tables located all over the park where families can pack a lunch or simply stop for a quick snack before continuing on their journey around the park.
The state park is open from 8:00 A.M to sunset and is a great place to spend the day. There are multiple entrances and exits that make it easy to access from Atlanta, GA, or Chattanooga, TN. The park is clean with plenty of restrooms and trash cans around for those who do their business on the go. You can find more information about Tallulah Gorge State Park by visiting www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulahgorge or by visiting their Facebook page here.
Camping
In our opinion, a trip to Tallulah Gorge is not complete without staying at least overnight. Nothing allows you to get to know a place and get closer to nature than camping. With that said, there are many ways to camp here overnight. You can, of course, set up your tent (traditional or tree tents) to this Georgia state park’s many campgrounds. You can easily make your trip here a multi-day adventure. Fortunately, there are also campgrounds that offer electricity that you can hook upon.
These sites are a little bit more pricey, but they come at the benefit of having electric hookups. The good news is that there are both back-in and pull-through options (for RVs). If you happen to be camping with an RV, make sure you check out the park map beforehand so you know where these sites are located! They are not that hard to find.
There is no fee required for camping in this Georgia state park. There are different sites available with varying prices depending on your need for electricity and how long you would like to stay overnight (up to 7 days). You can find more information about Tallulah Gorge State Park’s campsite options by visiting their website here.
If you are not into the idea of camping, but still wish to get away from it all for a night or two, then check out these other nearby options:
1. Robertson River Campground
2. Lake Tugaloo State Park
3. John Tanner State Park
4. Yellow Mountain State Natural Area
If you have any further questions or concerns, please visit Tallulah Gorge State Park’s website here. If you are feeling a little bit fancier and have the money to splurge, River Falls at the Gorge offers fully furnished cabins and treehouses you can also stay in.
Hiking
Hiking is naturally one of the most popular activities in this Tallulah. Hurricane Falls Trail is the most popular trail in the park. Here, you get to descent to a dizzying flight of stairs onto the park’s famous suspension bridge. You would be crossing through an 80-foot high bridge above the roaring waters of the Tallulah River. You will be descending all the way to the gorge floor and then back up to the rim. It is, truly, as exhausting and as exciting as it sounds.
It does not matter whether you decide to hike or not, Tallulah Gorge offers a ton of fun and useful amenities for everyone’s enjoyment.
There are also five overlooks located along the rim, where you can catch a breath-taking view of the stunning gorge. These include Hemlock Point, Wolf Rock, Staircase Falls, Rainbow Overlook, and Sosewa Overlook.
Hiking is a great way to get close to nature at Tallulah Gorge State Park! The following are must-hikes when you are here:
1. Hurricane Falls Trail
2. Tonahunee (Aboriginal name of the river) Trail
3. Tallulah Gorge Trail
4. 40 Foot Pool
5. Staircase Falls Trail
6. Hiking in the off-season.
Off-season hiking is a great way to explore Tallulah Gorge State Park as you will not have to deal with hundreds of people at the same time. Not only does it decrease crowding, but you can also take in all the breathtaking views at your own pace.
Swimming
If you want to go for a swim, the Sliding Rock Trail is the perfect trail for you. Now, this trail is one of the most difficult trails in the entire park. Maybe one of the most challenging in the whole state of Georgia. This is primarily why you are required to get a gorge floor permit from the park’s ranger desk before you can proceed. Of course, this is for your and everyone’s safety.
Do you know what they say about the hardest trails being the most scenic? This saying is especially true for Sliding Rock Trail. You would be making a deep descent to one of the most remote sections of the gorge. As a reward, you get to swim on a deep swimming hole that is as refreshing as it sounds after a long, exhausting descent.
This trail definitely features Georgia’s best and most rugged views.
Trail Running
Shortline Trail is by far one of the most relaxed trails in this state park in Georgia. The trail is one of the most well-leveled, paved, and shaded parts of the park. This is what makes it ideal for a good old-fashioned nature walk or a scenic trail run. While the park is undeniably known for the aggressively flowing and roaring waters of the Tallulah River, Shortline Trail follows a calm and serene stream of water. This makes this trail a truly interesting contrast from what the rest of this Georgia state park offers.
One thing you cannot miss when you are hiking or trail running in Tallulah Gorge is the stunning views. The trails here offer the best views of any trails in all of Georgia. You can easily spend most if not all your day taking in these breathtaking views.
The following are most popular with trail runners:
1. Rainbow Overlook Trail
2. Sosewas Overlook Trail
3. Tallulah Gorge Trail
New to trail running? Check out some of the best trail running tips to get you started.
