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Backcountry Trail

Nearest Town: Lumpkin, Ga

Trailhead Location: Begins at creek bed 1/4 down the Canyon Loop Trail from Interpretive Center.

Trail Length: 7 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This hike is relatively flat aside for two notable ascends and one descend.

Parking Fee: $3

Directions:  U.S. Highway 27 to Lumpkin. Head west on Georgia Hwy 39C seven miles to park entrance.

Trail Summary: The trail starts at the creek bed 1/4 mile down Canyon Loop Trial (white trail) from interpretive center. At the beginning of the trail it heads West and the backcountry trail and the creek bed are actually one in the same, changing to a normal foot path 1/2 to 3/4 mile in. The trail ascends quickly approx 2 miles in after an Eagle Scout bridge. It then passes six campsites just off the trail before revealing the outermost canyons. The trail descends the side of one canyon then ascends up the next. Then it winds along the top of all the outer canyons until meeting back up with the white trail or Canyon Loop Trail.

Registration: You will need to register to receive a permit to hike the backcountry trail.

This last weekend, we went South to check out Providence Canyon, AKA Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon. We haven’t done much camping or hiking in Central Georgia since we usually head North. To do the pioneer camping inside the park, you have to have a group of 10 or more unless you want to camp on the Backcountry Trail. We decided to camp at Rood Creek Park because it was free.  After spending the morning exploring some of the 9 canyons, which was a blast for the kids, I started down the Backcountry Trail heading West with hopes of getting back in plenty of time to complete the Canyon Loop Trail and fit in some more of the canyons. At first, the only way that I knew I was on the trail was a single set of footprints along the creek bed which you can see in the picture below.

The map I had was a bit hard to read. I hate to go off track so early on in my story from the trail but I feel the need to mention something. If you can, don’t let anyone at the interpretive center draw on your map! As helpful as they are, it was kind of hard to assume where the actual trail was right through the permanent marker! Anyway, the trail does in fact follow the creek bed for what seemed like 1/2 a mile or so then starts to look more like a typical Georgia trail as it runs through the forested section to follow.

Beginning of Providence Canyon Backcountry Trail

After passing a sign for the Pioneer Camping area and through the woods a bit more I came to a bridge built by Christopher W.Grimes from Troop 321 with help from friends and fellow Eagle Scouts. Crossing the bridge and on to the other side the trail begins to ascend quickly to a crest where a bench is available should you need it. I noticed at this point that off to the East, at least during the Winter months, you can make out the top portion of a few of the canyons which I figured was approximately 2- 2 1/2 miles from where I was out in the backcountry area.

While I seemed to be constantly checking my map along the entire trail and therefore should have had no trouble, I came to an area at the intersection near site 2 that seemed strange. Once I had done a little guess work through the aforementioned permanent marker , I realized if you continue straight, it cuts off a section of the trail bypassing the outer loop where sites two and one are located. You will want to take a right and head almost backwards here to complete the entire backcountry trail. Note: Check your map but be assured, this is the right way unless you pansy out and want to take the short cut. Of all the sites, site 5 is farthest off the trail so if privacy from hikers is a concern, this would be your best bet. If you don’t mind being near the trail site one is probably my second pick.

Continuing to follow the red blazes I came across two areas where I could see the trail switch back through the woods giving me an idea where I was headed next and at one point I realized I had looped back around close to site two but the trail continues on without linking up with it. At the next main intersection I turned right to continue the backcountry trail. To the left is where the short cut joins the trail again. This eventually brings you to what was in my opinion the start to the highlights of the trail as it reaches the outermost canyons with great views downward on both sides. You should go up to the point where there is a stop sign hanging on a split rail fence and take in the views of the canyons from there.

From this point I descended along the canyon rim to a stream, crossed, then climbed back up the following canyon ridge. I recommend sticking close to the top of the canyons from here on in. The trail splits and there is a blue blaze on one of the trees which again confused me a bit because it wasn’t apparent on the map. Both routes lead to the same place but the blue blaze is further from all the canyon views.

There is a large sign that I didn’t stop to read fully that I think said 6 miles > to Providence Canyon but don’t let it fool you, its only a mile or so from here until you meet back up with the Canyon Loop Trail.

From there I figured I was making good enough time so I headed left down the hill on the Canyon Loop Trail to meet up with where I started on the canyon floor at the creek bed. Having plenty of time I decided to turn back around and head up the Loop trail past the old cars section where 1950’s era cars lay rusted permanent fixtures featured along the side of the trail. It is said that they serve as habitat for indigenous creatures in the area who use them for shelter from the cold. It is also said that there are more of these old cars not visible from the trail a few miles back near where some of the earlier campsites are located.

Once I reached the red blazed backcountry trail intersection again, I continued along the top side of each of the canyons and eventually back to the interpretive center to find my family shopping in the gift shop. All in all, it was well worth the 3-1/2 hour drive from Canton where we live and I plan to go back again sometime in the future.

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