Category: Georgia

Providence Canyon State Park, Lumpkin Georgia

Things to Know:

• Located in Southwest Georgia – Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon”
• Over 1,000 Acres of Canyons Adorned in Red, Orange, Purple and White Sedimentary Layers
• Interesting Historical Background
• Breathtaking Scenery and Fantastic Hiking Experiences
• Great Choice for a Single Day Trip
• Dogs Permitted on a six-foot Leash
• Admission Fee Required

Near the town of Lumpkin, Georgia, in the Southwest corner of the state, lies an unexpected, unusual, and spectacular geological formation – Providence Canyon. We use the word “unexpected” because there are no surrounding mountains, gorges, or even especially steep foothills. The area consists largely of gently rolling farmland and thick pine forests.

The unusual aspect of Providence Canyon is that it has existed for less than 200 years! Unlike most canyons or gorges of its magnitude, it was not formed over millions of years from natural water or wind erosion, nor is it the product of tectonic plate movement.

As the Georgia State Park website notes, the canyon is “a testament to the power of man’s influence on the land”. In this case, the influence was neither intentional nor ideal.

History

Providence Canyon did not exist until the early 1800s. It was at that point that the region began to be populated by settlers who quickly cleared area forests and began farming as a means of subsistence. At that time, the importance of sustainable soil management practices was not understood, and no steps were taken to prevent erosion on the large tracts of newly cleared land.

Small crevices in the red clay soil quickly grew into larger and larger ditches. Since the inhabitants lacked the tools or knowledge needed to change the course of nature, in a remarkably short time, much of today’s array of 150 foot deep gullies and gorges was formed.

Hiking

There are two hiking options at Providence Canyon: The 2.5 mile Canyon Loop Trail, and the 7 mile loop Backcountry Trail. Both provide exhilarating, panoramic views of the many canyon pockets and ravines.

The Canyon Loop Trail is a relatively easy to moderate flat trail that circles 9 of the park’s individual canyons. There are opportunities along the way to divert on the canyon floors, as well as return to the Visitor Center. No climbing is allowed on the canyon walls, and this trail generally takes 2 hours to complete at a leisurely pace.

The Backcountry Trail is a much longer, more difficult hike. It is rated extremely rugged and difficult, and after approximately 2 miles turns steeply uphill onto very challenging terrain. Six canyons are visible from this trail, but there is no access to their floors. The Park Service recommends this trail for experienced hikers only, and advises setting aside at least 6 hours for the entire trip.

Other Activities

The park boasts a staffed visitors center with a museum, restrooms, and park information. There are camping and picnic facilities. Adventurous visitors may want to consider joining the Canyon Climbers’ Club.

Visit the Park’s website for complete information.

Recommendation:

Providence Canyon State Park is a little known, hidden gem. If you’re in the southwest Georgia area, it would be well worth your time to pay a visit. Even if you have just an hour, you’ll have ample time to explore the main canyon floor, and you’ll get some great views from the rim overlooks that surround the parking area. If you have longer and are so inclined, plan on hiking one of park’s two trails in order to more fully appreciate the breadth of the canyon’s remarkable beauty. The park is just 44 miles from Columbus, Georgia, where you’ll find excellent overnight accommodations, a variety of restaurants, and a number of other attractions.

NOTE: If you do venture out into any of the park’s hiking areas, be sure to bring:

• Comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. The canyon floor is muddy and wet in many spots, and the red clay soil sticks to just about any shoe sole it touches.
• Plenty of water. Due to the terrain and sights, both of the two trails will take you longer than a normal walk of that distance.

Recovery, Georgia – Fort Scott and Camp Recovery

Things to Know:

• No admission.
• An interesting piece of both local and early American history. Somewhat hard to locate if not familiar with the area.
• Historical marker is next to road. Monument is easily accessed via a short, flat trail.
• Visit requires less than half an hour.
• Dog friendly.

On a recent drive exploring the back roads of southwest Georgia, we came upon a large sign hanging from a brick archway on the side of the road that read “Camp Recovery.”

 

“What is that?” we both asked. There was a historical marker, so we pulled the car over to see what exactly it said.

The marker stated that Camp Recovery was a medical camp established by the U.S. Army headquartered at nearby Fort Scott in 1820. It was used as a recuperation area for soldiers who had contracted malaria and dysentery in the swampy fort.

Though the gate to Camp Recovery was closed, it was not locked, so we proceeded down the grassy drive. Ahead we could see a small white, concrete block building. When we got closer, we could tell that behind the building was a small fenced in area. At the center was a cannon. That seemed to be all that remained of the camp. It was a very peaceful setting and was well maintained and freshly mowed.

Once home, Tammy did some research to learn more about Camp Recovery and Fort Scott. Fort Scott was built in 1816 where the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers join to form the Apalachicola River. The Fort served to protect Georgia from attacks by Seminole and Red Stick Indians and escaped slaves who were living in Spanish Florida.

During this time, many men stationed at Fort Scott contracted malaria. In the fall of 1820, only 11 of the 780 soldiers at the post were healthy.

Camp Recovery was created as a hospital base during this outbreak, with the thought that moving the men to a healthier location away from the swampy air would improve their health. The doctor at Fort Scott moved about 70 ill men to the site.

Unfortunately, things did not go well at the new camp. Heavy rains and then a severe cold snap caused the men’s health to deteriorate even further and many men died and were buried at the camp. After only two months, the camp was broken up and the survivors brought back to the fort.

Stories of the poor soldiers and their dying days at the camp are well known by the local residents. In fact, the community in Georgia came to be called “Recovery.” As far as we know, Camp Recovery was never occupied again. It is unsure exactly how many of the 70 men died and were buried at the camp. Estimates range from 10-20. Another 100 or so men are thought to be buried at Fort Scott.

In 1882, the U.S. Army investigated the areas around Camp Recovery and Fort Scott. No grave markers survived, but depressions could be seen in the ground where soldiers were buried in both locations. The Secretary of War authorized the placement of a cannon as a permanent marker on the sites of both Camp Recovery and Fort Scott.

Then in 1946, construction began to create a dam at the point where the three rivers joined and Lake Seminole was created. At the time, the engineers believed the area where Fort Scott was located would be flooded by the new lake, so the cannon marking Fort Scott was moved to a city park in nearby Bainbridge, Georgia. However, the engineer’s estimates were off, and the site remains dry today although it is on an island in the lake and is accessible only by boat. There are no markers that show the location of the old fort or the grave sites of the soldiers buried there. Today Fort Scott Island is part of the Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area, where people can hunt and fish, camp, and view wildlife without ever realizing they are on such a historic site.

Fortunately, Camp Recovery suffered a better fate. Although the site is on private land, the owners have taken great pride in preserving the area as a testament to the men who suffered and died there so long ago. Although the grave sites are lost, the cannon still remains. And 200 years after their deaths, passersby can stop and read the soldiers’ story and remember.

For more information, see http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/camprecovery1.html.

Recommendation: If you happen to be in the area near Chattahoochee, Florida and Lake Seminole, or you’re an area resident out for an afternoon drive, this provides a short but interesting opportunity to learn more about the region’s role in early American history.  The historic marker and monument are easy to miss.  Only a few minutes is required to visit this interesting site.  You’ll have no problem bringing your dog along.