NORTH ... _,r - - - .__ --....... . ' ( --- ,-- ... .. / ,(.../(..~) ~' 'II'll.,.;! :-..;:.':". ~ ~ \ . ... -.._ " -..._ "' '(,_ \ , .- " '-...... "- - . ~ I . 0 1600 SCALE LEGEND E Entran ce I'll Visitor Center P Picnic Area Rest Station rn Superintendent's Res. Paved Rood Unimproved Rood Tro ll Cree k Canyon Area Por k Boundary STEWART COUNTY 3200 FEET GEORGIA PROVIDENCE CANYON STATE PARK The Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity employer, and employs without regard to race , creed , color, sex, age, or nati onal origin . 10,000 Cop ies of this brochure printed for approximately $631 .00. For more Information on Georgia' s State Parks, write: Public Relations and Information Section Department of Natural Resources Capitol Hill Station Atlanta , Georgia 30334 MILEAGE TO PROVIDENCE CANYON STATE PARK FROM: Atlanta 150 Columbus 40 Albany 55 Macon 120 For more information about other State Parks in Georgia, please write to: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Public Relations and Information Section 270 Washington Street, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30334 GENERAL INFORMATION Resident Superintendent Telephone: (912) 838-6414 Size of Park: 1,078 Altitude: 666 feet Park Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Location: 7 miles west of Lumpkin on Ga. 39C Facilities: Rest Station, Picnic Shelters, 2-mile Nature Trail, Interpretive Center Address: Route 2A, Box 54A Lumpkin, Ga. 31815 All rates, fees, hours, dates and facilities listed herein are subject to change without notice. Georgia State Parks and all park facilities are open to all people regardless of race, creed or sex. Pr~videQce CaJ?Y~I? State Par~ Pr~videi)Ce CaQy~Q Providence Canyon State Park was established in 1971 for protecting and preserving the unique scenic beauty of an area sometimes known as " Georgia's Little Grand Canyon." The canyons within the park cover some 150 acres and are act ually huge erosion gulleys up to 170 feet deep. These gulleys began forming about 140 years ago when unwise farming techniques allowed water to flow unimpeded down the slopes. The water gradually cut through the erosion -resistant upper layer exposing the colorful sandy so il named by geologists "The Providence Formation" and noted for its susceptibility to erosion. In a geologically short time the "caves", as they are known locally, grew in size and depth to what can be seen at Providence Canyon State Park today. Will the canyons grow deeper? Yes, but much slower than before. Beneath the Providence formation is the Ripley formation, a very erosion resistant clay-like soil whi ch slows the erosion process to a hardly measurab le rate. The side of the canyons on the other hand continue to wash downstream; sometimes huge masses of earth weighing 25 to 50 tons crash to the bottom. Care should be exercised by visitors when walking near the ~dge of the canyons. In these, the only protected "caves" of their kind, grow beautiful and unusual wildflowers. The rare Plumleaf Azalea (Rhododendron prunifolium) sh ows its bright flowers from Jul y to September where it grows clo e to the water courses far below the canyon rims. The splendor of the colors ranging f rom light orange to a!mon to various sha des of red and scarlet complemented nicely by the whites, purples and pinks of the Providence soi ls is a sight worth capturing on film or just remembering for a lifetime. GeQeral Regulati~Qs Defacing, vandalizing, collecting or in any other way disturbing the natural or man-made structures, minerals or rocks, plants or animals is strictly prohibited. Due to the delicate nature of the plants living in and around the canyons, visitors must remain on designated trails. 1ndiscriminate wandering by visitors would soon destroy the vegetation. Litter cans have been placed strategically about the park ; please hold litter until you can reach one of them. Photographers are asked to bees pecially careful about flash bulbs, cubes, and film boxes. Dogs are the only pets allowed in Providence Canyons State Park and the dogs must always be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. All park buildings are closed to them and they may not run indiscriminately th rough the park. Horses are not allowed on trails due to their susceptibility to erosion. Picknicking is permitted only in designated areas throughout the park. Picnic shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Alcoholic beverages of all kinds and the possession or use of drugs are strictly prohibited on park premises. Fireworks , firearms , bows and arrows, explosives, slingshots and fishing spears or any device capable of injuring or killing a person, or damaging public property are forbidden. All motorized vehicles, including those designed for off-the-road use , must remain on park roads and are prohibited from off road use. Motorized bikes must comply with all state regulation governing registration and safety equipment and must be operated in accordance with state law. The driver must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver's license . Motor bike riders must always wear safety helmets. Swimming and fishing are not allowed at this park. Firearms , fireworks, sl ingshots, or any other weapon or device capable of injuring or killing a person or wildlife or damaging or destroying any public or personal property are prohibited on park property . The abundance of plant and anima! wildlife is one of the reasons this area was designated a State Park. All wildlife is protected here. Please leave them unmolested so that the next visitor may enjoy them, too.