Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia At 1,000 feet deep, Tallulah Gorge is one of the most spectacular and deepest canyons in the eastern U.S.—second deepest, in fact, to West Virginia’s 1,400-foot-deep New River Gorge. Protected since 1992 as one of Georgia’s more than 60 state parks and historic sites, the two-mile-long gorge makes for an impressive and highly popular visitor destination. Easily accessible just off U.S. 441 about 1.5 hours northeast of Atlanta, the park nestles next to the charming Victorian-style village of Tallulah Falls. Guests usually begin their visit with a stop at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, featuring a gift shop, snack bar, and numerous exhibits expounding on both historical and natural aspects of the park. Once so versed, it’s time to climb! And you’d best be in good shape if you choose to take on the park’s most popular trail— the 2-mile round trip Hurricane Falls Trail Loop, that notoriously features 1,100 steps. Take your time (and plenty of water), but by all means do it. The trail leads to the park’s most exciting feature—a swaying suspension bridge 80 feet above the rocky bottom of the gorge that provides spectacular views of the river and several of the park’s six waterfalls.
Brilliant multicolored sandstone formations dazzle visitors at Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. Photo credit: Kasia Halka
in 1935, Valley of Fire has ignited its way to national recognition. The park has become popular as a destination for shooting commercials, music videos, and films, including “Transformers,” Total Recall,” and “Star Trek Generations,” where Captain Kirk fell to his death. The 1966 Burt Lancaster western The Professionals also was filmed in the park and some remnants of the movie set remain for visitors to see. Backpackers and photographers flock to the park, following numerous hiking trails leading to well- preserved petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock. Other popular features include Fire Wave, Elephant Rock, Silica Dome, White Dome, and Seven Sisters. Shaded areas and restrooms are available at most of these sites. The park’s visitor center comes complete with a gift shop, snack bar, museum and picnic area. The park has two campgrounds offering a combination of more than 70 sites ranging from primitive to fully serviced RV sites. The park Iis open year-round— but come prepared for temperatures that routinely reach 110 degrees. Some trails are closed from May to September due to the heat.
www.parksnv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire | 775-684-2770
Tallulah Gorge is one of Georgia’s most impressive and popular visitor attractions. Photo credit: Yax Balam
STATE PARK STAYCATION
COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2025 | 31
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