Top 5 Outdoorsy Destinations to Visit in Georgia During COVID-19 Times

By Brooke Haynes

Although quarantine has loosened up and places are slowly beginning to reopen, many of us continue to spend minimal time in public to protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19. A majority of students and faculty at Georgia State University are entirely online for the Fall 2020 semester, leaving us with copious downtime. Inevitably, all the time spent at home has left most people feeling stir crazy, antsy, and bored.

Fortunately, Georgia is a beautiful and geographically diverse state overflowing with sights to see and outdoor activities to partake in. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Georgia coastline, there’s a wealth of places to escape to if you need to save yourself from the ever-growing familiarity of your home. And the good news? All of the places on this list are environments that make social distancing easier than ever. So grab your hiking boots and masks and get outside!

5.  Arabia Mountain

Only 23 minutes from Georgia State’s Atlanta campus, Arabia mountain is the perfect place for a quick and affordable getaway. It has plenty of exquisite hiking and bike trails, and the entire Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in the surrounding area boasts about thirty miles of paved bike trails. You could simply go on a hike, but if you have time to explore the area, a few activities include paddling down the South River, camping at Panola State Park, exploring the Bonsai tree exhibit, and more. Be sure to visit Arabia Mountain again in April to catch the blooms of the rare plants known as Diamorpha!

4. Raven Cliff Falls

Located near Helen, GA, Raven Cliff Falls Trail is a serene hiking trail that follows Dodd Creek all the way to the beautiful waterfalls. The trail is about six miles long and there is little to no incline until the last quarter mile leading up to the biggest waterfall. The trail should be fairly unpopulated, but if you want to avoid crowds your best bet is to go early in the morning. If you have extra time after your hike, be sure to check out some of the many other hiking trails in the area, including the scenic Anna Ruby Falls Trail. You can also drive through Helen on the way in or out to enjoy its unique Bavarian architecture.

3. Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is one of the most adventure-friendly destinations on Georgia’s coast. While there, go explore the stunning and mysterious Driftwood Beach, full of gnarled trees that stand as the result of years of erosion. It’s the perfect place for photography, taking a stroll, or simply spending a day at the beach. It’s best to go early in the morning to avoid possible crowds. Other activities on Jekyll Island include biking, golfing, kayaking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and hiking. If you plan on spending a few days in the area, you can also visit Jekyll Island’s neighbor, Cumberland Island, for even more hiking and biking adventures and a chance to encounter the island’s wild horses.

2. Hiawassee

Hiawassee is a peaceful town located along Lake Chatuge. A part of the Appalachian Trail Community, Hiawassee and the surrounding area is full of hiking trails ranging from easy to advanced, and has several entrances to the Appalachian Trail. One easy, yet scenic hike you’ll not want to miss is the one-mile trail that loops around Lake Chatuge, which you can find at the Lake Chatuge Recreation Area. If you mainly want to spend time at the lake, there are plenty of spots to fish, boat, and camp; you can also spend your day at an isolated beach. Other activities in the area include trout-fishing at the Hiawassee River and hiking Brasstown Bald: Georgia’s highest point, sitting at 4,784 feet above sea level.

1. Providence Canyon

 Providence Canyon, also known as the “Little Grand Canyon,” is one of the most breathtaking sights in Georgia. Caused by erosion following years of poor farming practices back in the 1800s, this canyon is vast and mimics the Grand Canyon with its bright orange hues. There is a two and a half mile, easy-to-moderate rim trail that you can hike which leads to great, safe views of the canyon, or, if you’re an advanced hiker, you can try out the seven-mile backcountry trail. The campgrounds are open to anyone wanting to spend more time admiring the canyon’s beauty. Since this is a popular sight, the Georgia Parks Department is limiting the capacity of people allowed in the park each day, so be sure to make a reservation to secure your spot.