Published: June 28, 2007 12:39 pm         

GEORGIA'S LITTLE GRAND CANYON

Considered one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders, Providence Canyon State Conservation Park is not actually a purely natural feature. Historical accounts indicate that the canyon began forming in the early 1800s, the result of poor soil management practices.

Providence Canyon consists of huge gullies — the deepest being 150 feet — sculpted by rainwater runoff from farm fields as opposed to the action of a river or stream. Early 19th century farmers in the southwest region of the state took no measures to avoid soil erosion, and small gullies formed, growing deeper and more extensive at an ever-increasing rate over time. It continues to slowly disintegrate and change due to the undercutting force of groundwater and surface water runoff today.

Consisting of several chasms, plateaus, cliffs and pinnacles, Providence Canyon’s walls have become an exposed geologic record of several million years. Geologists have indicated that it was carved from organic matter — stained by minerals to create a display of colors that range from white to various shades of pink, purple, red, brown, yellow and black — left behind by water from various sources between 59 and 74 million years ago.

Men, women and children able to make the journey can follow a trail from the interpretive center to the floor of Providence Canyon. A walk through the area will surely leave them amazed by the breathtaking colors of the multicolored soils. Everyone can enjoy the views from several overlooks along the rim.

Providence Canyon State Conservation Park also offers visitors a playground, picnic shelters, three miles of hiking trails, backpacking along a 7-mile backcountry trail and camping on its 1,003 acres. It is sometimes referred to as the Little Grand Canyon because its appearance calls to mind comparisons to the landscape of the American Southwest and the state of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, just only on a smaller scale.