Georgia S Little Grand Canyon Was An Accident

We have a number of wonders in Georgia, both natural and man made. One man made wonder that wasn’t at all intentional is Providence Canyon, now part of a state park that shares its name. Often called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” due to its resemblance to that national wonder, it’s amazing to think that this gorge was not entirely naturally occurring, but rather a result of poor agricultural practices that permanently altered the environment. Without soil erosion, this would be a minor gully instead of one of the major landmarks in the state!

Providence Canyon is often considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia, but it’s not actually an entirely natural wonder.

Alexander Lerch/Flickr

There were originally gullies here, but they deepened immensely in the 1800s due to erosion.

Cody Wellons/Flickr

Settlers in the area made no effort to avoid erosion of the soil. The sandy loam was worn down by rainwater and runoff from crops.

Garrick Morgenweck/Flickr

There are now 16 canyons in the area, some as deep as 150 feet.

Ins1122/Flickr

The canyon is often called Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” so it’s interesting to compare it to the larger natural wonder in Arizona that was completely naturally formed.

Westley Johnson/Alltrails

The canyon is located in the state park that shares its name. The park spans 1,003 acres in Stewart County in southwest Georgia.

Richard Blackburn/Alltrails

Though this is not a purely natural wonder, it certainly is one of the most beautiful places in Georgia and unlike anywhere else in the country.

Charles Don/Alltrails

The Perimeter Loop trail at Providence Canyon State Park is one of our favorite spring hikes in Georgia. The two-mile hike will show you much of the park’s prettiest areas.