Name: Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails
Rating: 5

Hikes Map Explore

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch & Waterfalls Trails Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA

LENGTH 5.8 MILES

DIFFICULTY 11.1 Medium

DURATION 2-4 hours

ELEVATION GAIN

1360

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch & Waterfalls Trails

One of the best options in Cloudland Canyon State Park, journey along the Sitton's Gulch Trail and combine it with the Waterfalls Trail for beautiful waterfalls and epic views from the canyon rim. Sometimes you can have it all.

Park at the much smaller gravel lot at the north gate entrance. Yes, it's in the back of a neighborhood. You're GPS is not wrong. Begin your hike along the blue-blazed trail behind the gate. The wide, easily followed path is well maintained. Two side trails leave and re-enter the main trail on the right. All intersections are clearly marked so getting lost is nearly impossible.

The trail stays close to Sitton Gulch Creek but you'll need to take the many short side trails to really enjoy it's beauty, especially in summer. At 2 miles, the trail officially ends at the L-shaped bridge crossing over Daniel Creek. Just after the bridge is the connection with the Waterfalls Trail that leads up the canyon wall. Follow the sign to Hemlock Falls past this intersection. This is the lower of the two falls along the Waterfalls Trail. Dropping 90 feet over a rocky ledge, Hemlock Falls can be enjoyed from an observation platform a short distance away.

Backtrack and begin climbing up the canyon wall by way of stone steps then grated metal steps. 600 steps to the top. After another .15 miles, take the signed side trail to Cherokee Falls, a 60 foot waterfall and the second of the two falls on the Waterfalls Trail. Continue up another tenth of a mile, passing two intersections for the West Rim Loop Trail on the right, following signs for the Overlook Trail.

After passing behind some cabins the trail stays along the canyon wall for massive views to the north and the other side of the canyon. Walk along the rim past the main parking lot to the Main Overlook sticking out into the canyon for unobstructed views. From this point, backtrack along the rim, down the Waterfalls Trail and retrace your steps along the Sitton's Gulch Trail to the north parking lot.

If you want something a little shorter or easier, both the Sitton's Gulch Trail and the Waterfalls Trail can be hiked seperately on their own.

Explore more trails at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
The North Gate parking lot is much smaller than the main lot and less used, but will still fill up on weekends.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Walking along the wide, well maintained Sitton's Gulch Trail.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Multiple short side trails take you closer to Sitton Gulch Creek where you'll find many smaller waterfalls.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
The end of the Sitton's Gulch Trail at the bridge. Continue from here on the Waterfalls Trail.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Heading toward Hemlock Falls.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Hemlock Falls from the observation deck.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Most of the Waterfalls Trail is metal grated steps navigating tightly along the canyon wall.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Heading up the Waterfalls Trail.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Cherokee Falls.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Large rock formation near the top of the Waterfalls Trail.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
Continuing on the Overlook Trail along the canyon rim.

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch and Waterfalls Trails.
The Main Overlook at the tip of the canyon rim past the main parking lot.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

1.4 mi

141 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.6 mi

236 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

257 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.3 mi

266 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.4 mi

515 ft

For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length5.8 miles

difficulty11.1 Medium

duration2 - 4 hours

features Canyon/Gorge River/Stream Views Waterfall

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeBlue (Sitton's Gulch), Brown (Waterfalls), Yellow (West Rim Loop Connector)

elevation gain1360 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestCloudland Canyon State Park

visitor infoVisitor Center
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
706-657-4050

hours7am - 10pm (Park)
8am - 5pm (Office)

parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass

trailhead coordinates 34.859828, -85.484441 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°51.59, W 85°29.07 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°51'35'', N 34°51'35'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°51.59, W 85°29.07

Google Map It

The north gate entrance is much smaller than the main park entrance and is accessed through a residential neighborhood.

Parking Capacity

15-20 vehicles.

Notes

Dogs are allowed at the park, but the grated metal steps leading up the Waterfalls Trail may be uncomfortable for most dogs.

Be careful of wet or lose rocks when exploring the short side trails to Sitton Gulch Creek.

A couple of places look like they would be more challenging water crossings after heavy rainfall.

Nearby Hikes

Cloudland Canyon Sitton's Gulch Trail

4.2 mi

5.4

Cloudland Canyon West Rim Loop And Waterfalls Trails

Cloudland Canyon West Rim Loop & Waterfalls Trails

5.8 mi

11.6

Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail

Little Cedar Mountain

3.3 mi

4.2

Similar Hikes

Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge

7.6 mi

9.8

Cloudland Canyon West Rim Loop & Waterfalls Trails

5.8 mi

11.6

Tallulah Gorge North & South Rim Loop

Raven Cliff Falls Loop

7.7 mi

16.4

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (1)

New Review New Comment

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Views, Waterfalls, and a bit of Solitude

The Waterfalls Trail is the most popular in the park but starting on the Sitton's Gulch Trail at the north entrance provides some solitude up to the climb up the canyon wall. Two fantastic waterfalls and numerous ones on the way in and once at the top of the canyon you get amazing views looking out the direction you hiking in. This part will be crowded.

Medium | Hiked Spring 2019

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.