If you love beautiful mountain scenery and outdoor activities, Rising Fawn GA is your playground. As the gateway to Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn is a great launchpad for a variety of outdoor adventures. But there’s more to Rising Fawn than just Cloudland Canyon.
Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting activities that you and your family can enjoy in and around this enchanting corner of Georgia.
1. Hiking & Backpacking
Take in the beautiful mountain views with a day hike through Cloudland Canyon State Park. A vast trail system offers hikes to waterfalls, overlooks, and creek crossings.
One of the most popular routes is the Waterfalls Trail, which takes you to Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls. You can also extend your Waterfalls Trail hike by taking the Sitton’s Gulch Trail, which winds along tranquil Sitton Creek.
For many people, hiking is the reason to visit Cloudland Canyon. Be sure to pack your boots, a daypack, snacks, and water!
2. Artist Studios & Galleries
Throughout Rising Fawn, nearby Trenton, and other Dade County communities, you will find charming artist studios with locally-made wares for sale.
From pottery to quilts to yard art, there’s no shortage of beautiful (and useful) crafts to bring home. Schedule some time to visit the galleries during your trip! You’ll be supporting local artists, plus you’ll have something nice to remind your of your vacation.
3. Lookout Mountain
Located near Rising Fawn, Lookout Mountain sits at the border of Georgia and Tennessee. Famous for Ruby Falls — an beautiful underground waterfall — and the Incline Railway, the Lookout Mountain area is full of family activities and beautiful scenery.
If you’re in the mood for some real adventure, consider Lookout Mountain hang gliding opportunities! There’s no better way to take in the mountain views than from directly above!
4. Rock City
Yes, we’re talking about that Rock City. The one you’re always hearing that you should see.
Starting in the 1930s, Rock City spearheaded an advertising campaign that involved painting barns across the South and even other regions. “See Rock City” was emblazoned on around 900 barns throughout the country. Even if you haven’t seen one in the flesh, you may be familiar with this example of classic Americana.
Anyhow, Rock City definitely is worth seeing! In addition to beautiful rock formations and its famous “See 7 States” overlook where you really can view multiple states from one vantage point, Rock City contains beautiful gardens with hundreds of varieties of flowers.
5. Golfing
Do you have golfers in your family? Be sure to play some holes at Mclemore, a world class golf destination at the top of Lookout Mountain. Play the Highlands Course, a 71-par course along the edge of the mountain.
The nearby Trenton Golf Club and Lookout Mountain Club are also great options for golfing.
6. Vacation Rentals
If you’re doing anything other than a day trip, you will need a place to stay. Luckily, Rising Fawn is home to numerous vacation rentals. From motels to cabins to tiny houses, you have your choice in accommodations. Whether you’re a “take it easy, keep it rustic” type of vacationer or you’re traveling with friends who want a hot tub and a luxury getaway, you’re covered in Rising Fawn GA.
Looking for a different kind of vacation retreat? Now you can spend your Cloudland Canyon trip in a tiny house that more than makes up for sqft with its charm and seclusion. At Unplug Cabins in Rising Fawn, you can relax and disconnect in a minimalist environment that’s free from the distractions of your working life. These modern mountain cabins have everything you need — and nothing you don’t need — to take a load off and live in the present for a change.
Regardless of where you stay in the Cloudland Canyon area, you can be sure that you will enjoy safe, comfortable accommodations with wifi, AC, and all the comforts of home.
7. DeSoto Falls
There are lots of great day trips in the area near Rising Fawn GA. For a simple trip (that happens to take you to another state!), we recommend heading to Mentone, Alabama. From Mentone, you can easily make your way to DeSoto State Park, home to DeSoto Falls.
You can easily hike to an overlook, take in the views, and bring a picnic lunch. From the parking area, you can also access a swimming and fishing area in the West Fork of Little River.
8. Chattanooga, TN
Speaking of day trips, nearby Chattanooga offers all sorts of fun activities!
Bike or walk a section of the city’s 16+ mile Riverwalk alongside the Tennessee River. There’s also the famed Tennessee aquarium and the city’s Creative Discovery Museum, which is a wonderful afternoon activity for children.
Downtown Chattanooga is also chock full of outstanding restaurants, bars, and breweries. Foodies: you’re in the right place.
It’s all just a short drive from Rising Fawn. So if you’re staying near Cloudland Canyon State Park and need a day in the city just to balance things out, Chattanooga is the place to go!
9. Chickamauga Battlefield
Managed by the National Park Service, the battlefield at Chickamauga is just a roughly 45-minute drive from Rising Fawn GA. Chickamauga was a very important battle in the U.S. Civil War. By taking Chattanooga in 1863, the Union would be able to control the railroads that served as Confederate supply lines.
Visitors to the battlefield can learn about what happened there through various markers and monuments placed around the grounds. You can also download the official park app to find the location of specific placards or monuments throughout the park.
