Trifter

Providence Canyon in western Georgia is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Georgia or Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon.

Providence Canyon is located in Providence Canyon State Park near Lumpkin and consists of some 16 canyons spread out over 1,000 acres. Despite being listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, Providence Canyon is actually the result of erosion caused by farming practices dating back to the 1800’s. As farmers continually plowed the same lands over and over in the same areas gullies were formed and over time the resulting erosion in the gullies formed Providence Canyon.

Providence Canyon is much smaller than the real Grand Canyon in Arizona which is over 5,000 feet deep in places while Providence Canyon reaches depths of just 150 feet but Providence Canyon can match and perhaps surpass the glorious colors of the Grand Canyon.

Image Source

As erosion took place in the gullies all the beautifully differently colored layers of soil and rock became exposed for all to see.

The look of Providence Canyon is somewhat reminiscent of Las Medulas in Spain where the Romans used hydraulic mining techniques to erode mountains as they mined for gold in that area and left the landscape similarly exposed.

Image Source (Las Medulas in Spain)

Providence Canyon has many wildflowers also adding to the fantastic color scheme and according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that includes the rare Plumleaf Azalea which flowers during July and August which is much later than most azaleas bloom. The park has many hiking trails which wind around the canyons rims with many overlooks and also takes hikers to the bottoms of the canyons but sorry no mule rides are available at the Grand Canyon of Georgia.

Image Source

Providence Canyon State Park can be reached along Canyon Road/Georgia Highway 39C about 7 miles west of Lumpkin and about 9 miles east of the Georgia/Alabama border.

Image Source

More Grand Canyon Articles and Pictures:

Grand Canyon Fatalities

The Grand Canyon of the East

The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania