Thirty miles northeast of Atlanta, Guntersville State Park is a hidden gem in the wilderness of the Southeast. During the summer months, thousands of Georgians drive their motorhomes through the park to fish for wild cat, whitefish, and flathead catfish. If you are an amateur angler trying to catch a kit, however, one area that greatly enhances your fishing experience is the Guntersville State Forest.
The park is situated at the intersection of two old rail lines, the Guntersville and the Norfolk Southern Railroad. For years the state park has been a significant habitat for wildlife, including deer, black bears, wild turkey, otters, skunks, and wild turkeys. This awesome wildlife has led to a surge in local, and migratory, birdlife, including egrets, herons, oyster catfish, Kentucky lakebows, bluegills, and gravelers.
The park is also a significant Scouting destination for youth groups, such as Boy Scouts and Cub Scoutters. In fact, Cub Scouting and Scout Outdoors Week activities are held here every year. It also boasts a number of popular hiking trails, about one mile long, which are great for novice hikers. The park also offers several secluded fishing spots, in addition to a beach area.
After a nature hike down the mile-long Gunpowder Falls Trail, there is a short, but excellent walk down the river of grass. This nature trail begins at the bottom of the park Valley, and follows a number of short, sandy trails, through old growth forest, and end with a waterfall. This fun walk, which is at the bottom of the hill opposite the falls, allows you to see the park’s natural beauty from a totally different perspective.
But Gunpowder Falls is only the beginning of the fun. Hundreds of High Falls are waiting to be reached by even the most experienced hiker. Located on the Chattahoochee River, the fifty-foot high Gunpowder Falls is the most powerful in the state. The sixty foot high High Falls is the final destination for the Triple Crown of Georgia. Once reaching the falls, one can sit on a bench and look at the stunning view, or can further enjoys the wild side by jumping into the arena. If the wild side is not your cup of tea, several benches along the way provide a place to relax. There is a unique factor about the site, and that is part of the reason why it has been cherished. The site was created in mound by a powder mill owner, in the early 1900s. The owner left several blue ribbon peaks in an obvious attempt to recreate the feeling of Mount McKinley in the wilderness. The highest peak is actually the Bagby Falls, which drops sixty feet onto a wide rock ledge.
The entire park has been preserved by the state of Georgia since 1932, which is why you can find people of all ages coming and going to the park. Many companies, such as Kochi-based Coleman, Indianops Outdoor Products, and REI have stakes in the park. As the only public park of its kind in the southeast the Gunpowder Falls State Park is undoubtedly one of the most unique. It offers a glimpse into the history of the earlyulators of theeties, theblers, and the many faces of the bellevue state. It is a sight worth investigating. To start with theigo Falls Road which is located in the northern edge of the park, was built in 1884. This leads to the starting point of the trail if you choose to follow it. A quick look at the map of the park will reveal the starting points of the various trails.
The highlight of this trail is the fifty foot high gash at the top of the falls. people come here to watch the gash which has proven to be quite a popular sight. The trail runs down on the left side of the falls. Just be aware that this is a rough trail and hopefully someone will show you the best way to enjoy this awesome sight. Depending on the time of the year you will not be able to access this trail via anything but the most serious of hikers. The start of the trail is clearly marked with two of the oldest trails in the park, and they are not hospitals, so do not wander off route. You can find the start of this path on the main road.
You can find the beginning of the path to Gunpowder Falls by turning right, and identified by a yellow signposted in Spraggins Canyon, and then the path makes a gradual descent. Make a left turn onto a gravel road and move to the path at the end of this road. Just before the path makes a curve to the right, just before the cave, there is an unmarked path that you can step off of and quickly walk to the waterfalls.
