We’re thrilled when fall comes to North Georgia, eager to enjoy every moment, every view, every breath of cooler air that our area offers.
When we were considering relocation in 2015, one of our criteria was selecting an area with changing seasons. Growing up and living in South Louisiana for nearly 30 years, then living in Florida for the past 10 years, we were accustomed to hot summers changing quickly to warm wet winters with little fall color.
In between, we spent 17 years in Ohio, where seasonal changes were spectacular. But we lived in Troy, Ohio, a flat Midwest farm town along I-75 with miles of clear-cut fields for efficient corn, soybean and tomato production but highly limiting to an abundance of natural foliage. We did enjoy spots of bright color as we drove up and down I-75 or along the winding back roads that followed small streams and rivers. Several hundred miles of interconnected bike trails also followed the Miami River and old railroad routes, allowing for great fall morning rides among the falling leaves.
Thus, we’re thrilled when fall comes to North Georgia, eager to enjoy every moment, every view, every breath of cooler air that our area offers. With National Take a Hike Day coming up, the midpoint of fall behind us and our fall beauty fading, we’re going to share photo shots of some of our favorite fall spots. And we welcome comments about your favorites, too!
We visited Amicalola on Oct. 11, then again on Nov. 7. Working from memory, we tried to capture similar photos to show what a difference a few weeks can make. What a difference a month makes. This is a reminder to us and to anyone who sees this that Georgia’s scenery changes dramatically throughout the year. (You’ll find more about Amicalola at our post, Short Walks to Tall Georgia Waterfalls.)
Gibbs Gardens
We found Gibbs Gardens thanks to a roadside sign spotted on our way to Amicalola Falls. We made our first visit in the spring, and immediately became season pass holders. In another post, we discuss the reasons we visit in all seasons, not just fall.
Red Top Mountain State Park
With boating, a mountain bike trail, miles of hiking, a beach, miniature golf, camping and winding roads perfect for motorcycles, Red Top Mountain State Park is perfect for almost any outdoor enthusiast. Check out our blog for more on the hiking trails.
Cloudland Canyon State Park and Falls
For those looking for effortless beauty with a minimum of walking, this is your best bet. We love the drive up to Cloudland Canyon almost as much as our time in the park. Driving up I-75 offers some of the best fall interstate scenery in Georgia, and it gets even better once you turn off and drive through the John’s Mountain Wildlife Preserve. Once arriving at Cloudland, it’s about 200 steps to the edge of the canyon where you can peer down into a cornucopia of changing leaves. For the more adventurous and fit, the hike down those Georgia State Park stairs offer beautiful views of the forest and the falls.
For the adventurous and fit, the hike into the canyon offers great scenery looking up into the canopy.
Inquisitive traveler -- 33 countries, 48 states. Sometimes cyclist, occasional hiker, over-experienced diner. Cajun by birth, Parrothead by choice, Baby Boomer by age, Southerner by the grace of God. Semi-retired career marketeer, with a career serving the foodservice and food retail industries. Sharing experiences is an avocation.