Join the Georgia Conservancy on July24-26 for an incredible weekend of caving, hiking, camping, and all-around outdoor adventure at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Cloudland Canyon is located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain and was formed as Sitton Gulch Creek cut its way into the surrounding sandstone. The canyon’s elevation ranges from 800 feet at the floor to 1,980 feet at the rim. Cloudland Canyon offers scenic walks and challenging hikes, including a trail leading to two cascading waterfalls, Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls.

This will be an immersive, semi-primitive weekend experience. All participants will be tent camping at premium campsites, which include access to water spouts, electric outlets/hookups, nearby public hot showers and bathrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and easy drive-up parking. You must bring your own tent camp equipment or rent one through us. 

Friday afternoon - Check-in for the weekend officially begins at 3:30 PM (and will continue into the evening) at Cloudland Canyon State Park (details to be shared two weeks prior to the trip). Guests will have the opportunity to settle in, relax, take self-guided hikes, and enjoy our happy hour later into the evening. 

Saturday - Guests will have the opportunity to choose from a number of guided and self-guided activities on Saturday.

• A series of caving trips will be hosted throughout the day. Gear will be provided. The ticket price for caving goes to the SCCI as a donation.
• GC-guided hikes along Sitton's Gulch Trail and the West Rim Loop Trail
• Other available activities include mountain biking or hiking on the new 5 Points Recreation Area and the Cloudland Connector Trails (this activity will not be organized or guided by GC staff, but maps will be provided), as well as disc golf on the Cloudland Canyon course.

Sunday - Check-out for all guests is by 11 AM, but activities still remain!

• GC will lead a morning hike along the Sitton's Gulch Trail for those who are interested.
• Other available activities include mountain biking or hiking on the new 5 Points Recreation Area and the Cloudland Connector Trails (this activity will not be organized or guided by GC staff, but maps will be provided), as well as disc golf on the Cloudland Canyon course.

Breakfasts and dinners (Friday evening - Sunday morning) are provided during this trip with the purchase of the weekend meal ticket. Guests are highly encouraged to bring additional personal snacks and beverages, as well as lunch for Saturday.

In-kind donors and local food producers we will be enjoying during our weekend: beer from ASW Distillery (Atlanta), and Cafe Campesino Coffee (Americus).

Join us on a Georgia Conservancy Stewardship Trip to learn more about important location-specific conservation issues, as well as statewide advocacy opportunities. Our goal is simple: Create a connection between some of Georgia’s most precious places and the people needed to protect them.

https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/v/gc2026waiver

Every participant will be required to fill out completely and sign, our online waiver. The waiver link will be included in your big tickets confirmation email as well as the 2 weeks out trips detailed email. If a paddling trip, all participants must have basic paddling skills, wear a PFD/Life vest, and be capable of self-rescue in the water. No more than 2 children under the age of 12 per adult guardian. While Georgia Conservancy staff and other Outfitters may assist on some trips and be available with medical and/or First Aid training (those individuals will be identified), we cannot personally ensure the safety of all participants. Unlike a commercial trip in which paid guides to direct you through each bend of the river or lead you into the wilderness, Georgia Conservancy trips, whether a paddle, adventure, or service trip, are all designed to be your adventure, and as such, you are responsible for your own safety. All participants are assuming risks (some of which are outlined in our liability waiver) while participating in a Georgia Conservancy Stewardship Trip.

1.) Cancellation/Refund Policy: Georgia Conservancy trips are non-transferable and are hosted rain or shine. The Georgia Conservancy reserves the right to cancel or shorten any trip before departure as well as change the itinerary. If you have any questions about the trip price and what the payment includes, please contact Shaundon Moore (smoore@gaconservancy.org) before you register.

Notification Prior to the Trip Refund Policy

20 days or more Full refund using the original method of payment

8 to 19 days Refund total paid less $10 processing fee*

4 to 7 days Refund 50% of total paid*

3 days & under No refund

* We cannot guarantee the refund in the original method of payment and refunds may be made by check.

If a trip is canceled and not rescheduled by Georgia Conservancy, then all participants will receive a full refund using the original method of payment.

If a trip is canceled and then rescheduled, each participant may receive a full refund if they request cancellation within 1 week of being notified of the new trip date.

2.) Acceptable Behavior and Policies for Participants (Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco): As part of our mission to provide healthy experiences we have several policies for behavior on trips. All illegal substances are prohibited. There’s one easy way to wreck your trip (and your friends’) with the Georgia Conservancy: overconsumption of alcohol. Alcohol can pose a serious risk to your health and others when consumed during a trip and will dehydrate you. That being said participants 21 years of age or older ARE welcome to B.Y.O.B. (Bring your own beverages) and enjoy them on GAC trips if used in a responsible manner that does not jeopardize the safety of yourself and others. If your behavior negatively impacts other participants that behavior will not be tolerated. Please be considerate of smoking around others.

3.) Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC): All water-based programming participants (including all paddlesport programs) must acknowledge the ability to perform the following EEC: -Breathe independently (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing) -Independently maintain sealed airway passages while under water -Independently hold head upright without head / neck support -Manage personal care independently or with assistance of a companion -Manage personal mobility independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance -Follow instructions and effectively communicate independently or with the assistance of a companion -Paddlesports program participants must also acknowledge the ability to perform the following EEC: -Independently turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face-up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket -Get in / out of a paddle craft independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance -Independently get out from under a capsized paddlecraft -Re-enter the paddlecraft following deep water capsize independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance -Maintain a safe body position while attempting skills, activities, and rescues listed in the appropriate course outline, and have the --ability to recognize and identify to others when such efforts would be unsafe given your personal situation.

4.) Discrimination and Harassment Policy: No harassment of any kind will be tolerated by any participants or staff during any Georgia Conservancy event. It is your responsibility to report any misconduct to the staff or other Georgia Conservancy Authorities.

5.) LNT/Recycling: The Georgia Conservancy strives to adhere to Leave No Trace (LNT) Guidelines for all trips/events. We provide recycling options for every trip as well so please ask us before you throw away any recyclables in the wrong container.

Participants are responsible for any rental gear they receive during a trip. If you are unfamiliar with the set-up or correct function of the gear it is your responsibility to seek out a conservancy staff member to show you. We love talking gear so don’t be afraid to ask questions!