State: Tennessee Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLFvK1WYzpgpRYm17 Park: Cherokee National Forest Length Lower Higgins Creek Falls (1.5 miles out-and-back) Elevation: 482 Fee: Free // It's been exactly 555 days since I stepped onto the trails of Rocky Fork State Park and Cherokee National Forest. I've changed. But this landscape is transformed. Eight days after I left Rocky Fork in September 2024 following an off-trail waterfall adventure, Hurricane Helene hit and Erwin, T

State: Georgia Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JggXYQakkLUnVnMz6 Park: Providence Canyon State Park Length: The Backcountry Trail + Canyons 1-9: 9.3 miles Elevation: 866 feet Fee: Daily Pass of $10.00 per vehicle // Providence Canyon appears like an unexpected mirage in the Georgia lowlands. The gently undulating countryside, covered by various oak and hickory species, abruptly falls into canyons comprised of striking multi-colored sediments. If you've traveled out West, t

State: Alabama Trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AyCrjhN9K8XunufbA Park: Conecuh National Forest Length: 7.2 miles Fee: Free // Conecuh National Forest is a hidden gem in southern Alabama for those who love longer hikes and camping. The South Loop was my first taste of the park. At 7.2 miles and relatively flat, the trail goes by quickly yet still offers plenty of features to include a crystal clear creek and natural spring. In February 2026, there was a series of prescribed