Going 'Glamping' in Georgia

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The northern part of the state of Georgia may be one of America's greatest vacation secrets. "Greatest" because it's filled with some of the most beautiful state parks in the country...places of serene beauty, with thundering waterfalls and thick forest and 3,000-4,000-foot mountains and deep gorges. And "secret' because the rest of the world hasn't yet discovered it...which  means it hasn't been overrun by tourists, and the pristine, silent beauty remains pristine and silent.
 
Surrounding these state parks are picturesque mountain towns such as Dahlonega, with a courthouse on the town square and interesting bed-and-breakfasts, and Helen, a recreated Alpine village filled with authentic German restaurants and horses-and-buggies. (As you drive toward these towns, you'll pass isolated little artists' studios on beautiful backwoods roads. By all means, stop and go in; you'll see some wonderful glass, pottery, and woodwork.)
 
One of Georgia's most beautiful state parks has joined the new trend for "glamping" - or glamour-camping. Cloudland Canyon State Park, on Lookout Mountain in north Georgia, now offers 10 yurts for guests wanting to stay in style overnight. The yurts are a sort of combination tent/cabin, and constructed of canvas and wood. And they're the ideal choice for those who would like a taste of "roughing it" in the great outdoors - but who'd still like to sleep in a soft bed at night.
 
It's not the Ritz. But it's certainly comfortable. And it's a great way to experience the wilderness without having to sleep on the ground. This type of glamping can be a romantic getaway for a couple, or a great spot for a family reunion in which everyone wants to stay together.
 
The yurts are surrounded by forest, and only a short walk from the stunning scenic overlooks of the West Rim Trail. Each one has rustic furniture inside, as well as electrical outlets. Outside, there are picnic tables, grills and fire rings. There's a central location for hot showers and a picnic shelter. There's no such thing as maid-service here, of course, so bring your own linens and cooking utensils. Each yurt accommodates six people, in bunk beds and futons.
 
Cloudland Canyon State Park is considered by many to be one of the most scenic places in Georgia. The diversity of terrain stretches from Lookout Mountain to the rugged 2,000-foot-deep canyon. It's a paradise for hikers, who can explore top to bottom...from the rim trail to the canyon floor. On your explorations, you'll come to two waterfalls, Hemlock and Cherokee, each of which cascades over layers of sandstone and shale. At the bottom of the canyon, you'll see rocks that were deposited here by an inland sea - 300 million years ago!
 
Cloudland Canyon also offers "Wild Cave Adventures," in which you'll get down and dirty (literally) as you explore some of the park's caves. Guides will help you learn about the interesting formations and passages - and critters - inside the caves. There are several different tours, ranging from two-hours for families to four hours in deeper caves for the more adventurous.
 
The yurts just opened on December 1. Based on the figures from the three other Georgia State Parks that have them, they're very popular; it's a good idea to reserve as far in advance as you can. The park also offers two modern campgrounds and 16 fully-equipped cottages. The addition of the new yurts provides a "trifecta" of accommodations experiences.
 
The park is located in the northwest corner of Georgia, near the Tennessee and Alabama borders, in the town of - you gotta love this - Rising Fawn. It's not far from a sacred Civil War site, called the Chickamauga National Battlefield.
 
The land may be 300 million years old. But when it comes to the new trend of glamping, Cloudland Canyon State Park is right up to date!