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About 40 miles south of Columbus, just east of the Alabama state line, you'll find one of Georgia's best-kept secrets. Providence Canyon State Park is a 2,706-acre recreation area with a collection of unique gullies and canyons you'd expect to see in Arizona or Utah—or maybe even on Mars—but certainly not in The Peach State.

Providence Canyon, also known as Georgia's Little Grand Canyon, is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, though it owes its existence to humans. Short-sighted farming practices in the 1800s created these unusual geological formations. Runoff water eroded the coastal plain, forming gullies as deep as 150 feet and exposing soil in 43 different shades of pink, orange, red, and purple.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources calls the incredible network of canyons and gullies "a testament to the power of man's influence on the land." The result? One of the prettiest state parks in Georgia, guaranteed to satisfy photographers and nature lovers alike. Travel there in the late summer to see the canyons blooming with a rare azalea you can't find anywhere else, or visit in the fall when the red and orange trees are in their full autumnal glory.

Read on for everything you need to know before planning a weekend getaway to visit Providence Canyon.

How To Visit

Park facilities include a museum and visitor center, two picnic shelters, and a playground. If you want to reserve a picnic shelter, call the park to check capacity limits before making a reservation.

Gates are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the peak months (April 15-September 14) and close at 6 p.m. the rest of the year. Parking costs $5 a day, and an Annual ParkPass, which will get you into any Georgia state park, is $50.

gastateparks.org; 8930 Canyon Rd, Lumpkin, GA 31815; 229-838-6202

Where To Hike

Visitors to Providence Canyon State Park can enjoy views of the canyons from the rim trail or get a little more adventurous by hiking to the bottom of the deepest canyons.

Meander White Blaze Canyon Loop Trail

One of the most popular hikes, the 2.5-mile White Blaze Canyon Loop Trail, circles nine of the canyons. It takes about two hours to complete but can take longer depending on how many times you stop to snap pictures and explore. Stay along the fence line for the best vistas, avoid the fragile canyon walls, and if you do go down to the canyon floors, stay in the middle because the sides are ripe with quicksand-like mud.

See Half-Buried Abandoned Cars

On the east side of Canyon Loop Trail, keep an eye out for the dozen 1950s cars abandoned near an old homestead. You won't regret it. Over the years, the wilderness has reclaimed the rusted-out vehicles, which are now sprouting trees and plants and are home to various animals.

Test Your Endurance On The Backcountry Trail

The Backcountry Trail, which traverses woods and rugged inclines, is rated as extremely difficult. This loop is seven miles and will take at least six hours, so it's best for experienced and well-equipped hikers. If you want to stay over at one of the backcountry campsites, you'll need to register in advance and make sure to arrive before the gate closes.

Join The Canyon Climbers Club

After exploring Providence Canyon, visit some of Georgia's other natural wonders: the 729-feet-tall Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville, the nearly 1,000-feet-deep Tallulah Gorge, and Cloudland Canyon, one of Georgia's largest state parks. Visiting all four places can get you access to Georgia State Parks andamp; Historic Sites' Canyon Climbers Club and T-shirt.

Other Activities To Enjoy

If you're not much of a hiker, Providence Canyon offers several activities for you to enjoy the natural wonders of the setting.

Visit In Summer To See A Rare Flower

In addition to the rare geological formations, a rare native azalea grows only in this region. The plumleaf azalea blooms during July and August in the canyon's multicolored soil to "make a beautiful natural painting at this quiet park," according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Go Stargazing

Providence Canyon has very little light pollution, making it a great spot to look up at the stars. The park offers astronomy programming throughout the year, and Columbus State University's Coca-Cola Space Science Center will periodically host astronomy nights here.

ccssc.org; 701 Front Ave, Columbus, GA 31901; 706-649-1477

Leaf Peep In The Fall

Although the day hours are shorter in autumn, Providence Canyon is still worth a visit for picturesque scenes of changing leaves. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources dubbed the area as a hidden gem for fall foliage because the park is "best known for its orange-hued soil, but its trees provide a colorful palette as well."

Where To Stay

While you could easily stay in a nearby city like Columbus, there are plenty of camping opportunities both in the park and beyond.

Camp At The State Park

Providence Canyon State Park has several campgrounds, including three pioneer campsites. There are also six backcountry campsites. For either option, you'll want to call before reserving.

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