Georgia’s Natural Wonders
Charles Seabrook, the author of Cumberland Island: Strong Women, 
Wild Horses, and who, for many years, wrote the weekly column, “Wild Georgia” for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, selected his “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See Before You Die.” Here are Charles’ 35 choices in bold face type, along with his brief comments in italic with links to ways to find out more about them.
Okefenokee Swamp. Word famous wetland.
- Read more about the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
- Take a guided tour of the swamp with Okefenokee Adventures
- Canoe the Okefenokee on your own using this Okefenokee canoeing guide by Claude Terry
Marshes of Glynn. Far-as-the-eye-can-see coastal salt marshes that inspired poet Sydney Lanier to write his famous poem.
Cumberland Island National Seashore. Former President Jimmy Carter called it one of his most famous places on Earth.
- Read more about Cumberland Island National Seashore
- Cumberland is the largest of Georgia’s major barrier islands. See a map of all Georgia’s barrier islands
Ossabaw Island. Unspoiled barrier isle; amazing natural beauty.
- Read more about Ossabaw and see it on a map
- Ossabaw is one of Georgia’s major barrier islands. See a map of all of Georgia’s barrier islands
Cabretta Beach, Sapelo Island. One of Atlantic coast’s most beautiful undeveloped beaches.
- Read more about Sapelo and see it on a map that includes Cabretta Beach
- Sapelo is one of Georgia’s major barrier islands. See a map of all of Georgia’s barrier islands
Woody Pond, Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. In spring, thousands of egrets, herons and endangered wood storks form spectacular nesting colonies.
- Read more about Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge and see a map that includes Woody Pond
Ebenezer Creek. National Natural Landmark; harbors 1,000-year-old bald cypress trees with huge buttresses eight-to-twelve feet wide.
Altamaha River. Lower Altamaha called “Georgia’s Amazon” for the lush, jungle-like growth along its banks; river’s entire 137 miles unfettered by dams.
- Read more about the Altamaha River
- Take a guided sea-kayak tour of the Altamaha River BioReserve with Altamaha Coastal Tours
- Download a poster of the Altamaha with historical and environmental information about the watershed
Broxton Rocks Ecological Preserve. Rugged sandstone rock outcrop deep in South Georgia; sculpted over centuries by water into fissures and shallow ravines that are now havens for many rare plants.
Ohoopee Dunes State Natural Area. Sometimes called “Georgia’s Desert” because of its dry, sandy soil and scrubby vegetation. Biologists call it an “enchanting environment.”
Wade Tract Preserve. Privately-owned 200-acre swath of old-growth long leaf pine and wire grass; one of the few remaining examples of great long leaf forest that once covered Coastal Plains region.
Providence Canyon State Park. Eroded land that transformed into a place of great beauty; sometimes called Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon.”
Doe Run Pitcher Plant Bog Natural Area. Lush growths of carnivorous pitcher plants in spring.
Pine Mountain. Spectacular view from Dowdell’s Knob of valley below. President Franklin D. Roosevelt often came here to picnic and meditate.
- Read more about Pine Mountain
- Read more about Dowell’s Knob and see the view that President Roosevelt saw
Warm Springs. Naturally warm, soothing water bubbling from Earth; FDR came here for treatment of polio.
- Read more about Warm Springs and the natural spring waters
- Visit the Little White House that was Roosevelt’s headquarters when he visited Warm Springs
Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area. See for yourself why conservationists are intent on saving from development this place for roaming black bears and rare wild-flower habitats.
- Read more about Oaky Woods and how you can help save over 19,000 acres of wilderness from development. Sign up for the Oaky Woods newsletter
George L. Smith State Park. Bald cypresses growing in pond are magnificent in fall when they take on their orangish-bronze tints.
- Read more about George L. Smith State Park
Sprewell Bluff State Park. Little known gem on Flint River, which is one of South’s most beautiful and interesting streams; 3-mile trail offers superb views of river and rocky cliffs.
- Read more about Sprewell Bluff State Park
- Read more about the Flint River
- Read how then Governor Jimmy Carter saved the Flint River from a proposed dam at Sprewell Bluff
- Take a canoe trip on the Flint using this guide by Reece Turrentine
- Take a canoe trip on the Flint using this guide by Claude Terry
- Download a poster of the Flint River showing historical and environmental features of the watershed
Palisades Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Spectacular greenspace in midst of sprawling bustling metro Atlanta.
- Read more about the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, including the Palisades Unit
Graves Mountain. Rockhounds from all over the world come here for amazing array of rocks and minerals.
- Read more about Graves Mountain. Tour old mining operations and find rare minerals
Stone Mountain / Arabia-Davidson Mountain / Panola Mountain. Huge geological wonders that sport some of Georgia’s most colorful arrays of wildflowers in spring and fall.
- Read more about Panola Mountain State Conservation Park
- Read more about climbing to the top of Stone Mountain
Tallulah Gorge. Hard granite walls fall perpendicular to land above, forming steep cliffs.
- Visit Tallulah Gorge State Park
- See a photo gallery of Georgia rivers by environmental photographer Beth Young that includes photos of Tallulah Gorge
Amicalola Falls State Park. Falls plunge 729 feet in seven cascades; highest waterfall east of Mississippi River.
- See waterfall photographer John Anthony’s photographs of Amicalola Falls
- Visit Amicalola Falls State Park
Richard Russell Scenic Highway. 14-mile-long road is not natural, but it winds through some of the most splendid mountain scenery in the Southeast. Along the way are trailheads to waterfalls and scenic spots.
- Take this driving tour on the Richard Russell Scenic Highway (or one of 12 other Georgia driving tours)
Cloudland Canyon State Park. One of Georgia’s most scenic state parks. Rugged geology and beautiful vistas.
- Visit Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Take this driving tour of Lookout Mountain covering three states – Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee – which includes Cloudland as the centerpiece
Brasstown Bald. At 4,784 feet above sea level, it’s Georgia’s highest mountain; four states can be seen from top.
- Drive/walk to the top of Brasstown Bald
- See a list of all of Georgia’s mountains over 4,000 feet, with Brasstown topping the list
Rabun Bald (Chattahoochee National Forest), rivals Brasstown in elevation and spectacular views.
- Follow this hiking guide to the top of Rabun Bald
The Pocket, Pigeon Mountain. Lush growths of colorful spring and fall wildflowers in a beautiful setting.
- Use this guide to hike Pigeon Mountain’s Pocket Trail
Rocktown, Pigeon Mountain. Stunning, house-sized boulders make it a rival of its famous cousin, Rock City near Chattanooga.
- Use this guide to hike to Rocktown
McLemore Cove. One of the Southeast’s most picturesque mountain valleys.
Chattooga River. Untamed and unimpeded; wild and rugged.
- Read more about the Chattooga River
- Use this guide to hike to Three Forks on the headwaters of the Chattooga
- The Chattooga is in the Savannah River watershed. Download a copy of a Savannah River poster showing historical events and environmental features of the watershed
Sosebee Cove. High elevation, north-facing cove forest; rich diversity of shade tolerant trees, shrubs and wildflowers.
Cooper Creek Scenic Area (Chattahoochee National Forest). Harbors large hemlocks and white pines, some with bases as big as four feet in diameter.
Raven Cliffs Falls. Splendid Waterfalls; trail to them almost equally stunning.
Anna Ruby Falls. A must-see for visitors.