Best Day Trips From Atlanta

While most of us tend to think of Atlanta for its massive and upbeat metropolitan center, most outside of Georgia don’t know about the area’s best kept secret. Which is to say that some of the best hikes and natural features in the Southeast are just an hour away from the bustling international hub!

Soaring mountain peaks, record setting waterfalls, lively theme parks, and even a Bavarian alpine town— outside of Atlanta, you’ll find just about anything you could think of in a vacation. We at RVnGO have put together the best day trips from Atlanta all under two hours away, but we have to warn you first. These destinations are so awesome, you’ll want to stay at least overnight!

Best Spontaneous Day Trips From Atlanta

LaGrange

Travel Time: 1 hour

If you’re traveling with children in the Atlanta area, LaGrange is a must to visit. Although the city’s downtown has plenty of shops and restaurants to keep the adults happy, LaGrange is best known for its two major family friendly attractions. The Great Wolf Lodge is a sprawling indoor water park clocking in at just over 500,000 sq feet. In addition to the park, the lodge also features a ropes course, dining options, and other activity areas for kids to enjoy.

Just outside of LaGrange is the Wild Animal Safari, a drive-thru zoo that’s home to 65 animal species. Here, you’ll ride along beside zebras, giraffes, and buffalo during your tour. At this hybrid safari, you’ll also find lions, peacocks, camels, and more!

Lake Lanier

Travel Time: 1 hour

Just under an hour’s drive north of Atlanta will find you at the golden shores of Lake Lanier. A popular spot for swimming and tanning, Lake Lanier is a man-made reservoir over 40 miles long. Dozens of private and state campgrounds surround Lanier which makes it a perfect RV destination for both a day trip and overnight stays. Plus, there’s plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, making Lake Lanier a bonafide resort area.

It’s not hard to see why. The water is a deep blue that’s perfect for boating on and fishing in, with many different types of bass calling the lake home. The shape of the lake is akin to an amoeba, with tons of spindly offshoots and islands inside it. So if you’re looking for either a quiet, peaceful day away from the crowds, you’ll be able to find a spot with or without a boat. Or, you can enjoy the vibrancy of Cocktail Cove with a drink in hand and great food from its bar and grill. 

If you’re looking to spend the night at Lake Lanier, check out Red Forks Park, Shady Grove Campground, and Don Carter State Park.

Amicalola Falls

Travel Time: 1 hour

The tallest waterfall in the American Southeast is just an hour away from Atlanta! Amicalola Falls, named for the Native American word for “tumbling water” is an incredible 729 feet tall. The falls are best accessible by the East Ridge Loop Trail, where you can walk across the top of the falls by bridge. 

Although the waterfall itself is what the state park is known for, Amicalola Falls is a hiking wonderland. With over 800 acres to explore, the park is lush and full of amazing views from the hills and mountaintops throughout it. There are a number of lodges where you can recharge with some hot food and relax before you continue your journey onward. Plus, as with Lake Lanier, there are a few RV campgrounds to stay in if you’d like to extend the length of your day trip. In particular, Amicalola Falls Campground is a great jumping off point to explore the falls and the rest of the park from.

As a bonus, Amicalola Falls State Park is only 8 miles away from the Georgia portion of the Appalachian Trail!

Blue Ridge Mountains

Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Our list of day trips from Atlanta journeys further north next. Even though the Blue Ridge Mountains practically beg for you to make your visit an extended one, the area is perfect for day trips as well. The Blue Ridge Mountains span from southern Pennsylvania all the way to Georgia. They’re a quintessential Appalachian landscape to take in, which includes the iconic Great Smoky Mountains subrange in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Blue Ridge, Georgia, is about 1.5 hours away from Atlanta and is a cozy mountain town to visit. However, the real star is, of course, the mountain range itself. Gorgeous peaks that are incredible to traverse in any season are well worth the visit if you’re going to be in the Atlanta area. The mountains are famous for their incredible hikes, which includes waterfalls and horseback riding trails to boot.

The park is most famous for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which is definitely recommended visiting. The heritage railroad departs from Blue Ridge and travels four hours through dreamy forest scenery. 

Helen

Travel Time: 1.5 hours

Visiting the mountain town of Helen, Georgia, is like stepping to a Grimm’s Brother fairytale. The whimsical town is famous for its Bavarian-style architecture that replicates the exact feel of a German Alpine village. Best of all, there’s something for absolutely everyone in Helen. The restaurant scene has everything from fine dining to sweet shops and bakeries to vintage diners. There are spas, museums, pottery shops and clothing boutiques. Wineries, breweries, and classic beer gardens are sprinkled throughout the town.

However, what truly can’t be beat is its surplus of amazing outdoor activities. Its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains means that you’ll find hiking, tubing, horseback riding, ziplining, a golf course, and so much more. 

It’s starting to become a trend for us to say that, although this destination is perfectly doable as a day trip, you may want to pencil in more time to truly sample everything that Helen has to offer!

Providence Canyon State Park

Travel Time: 2 hours

Our list of day trips from Atlanta concludes along the southern border with Alabama.

At two hours away, Providence Canyon is the further day trip destination on our last— but it’s well worth the drive. Known as “the little Grand Canyon,” the massive gullies of Providence Canyon State Park are a feast for the eyes. The rock and soil of the formation start at a pale white at the lower points of the landscape only to melt into a rust colored hue at the peaks. Most strikingly, these sunset tones are contrasted against the vibrant green of the trees that grow along the ridges and the rest of the landscape, creating a unique kaleidoscope of colors straight out of a painting.

The park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, many of which loop around the canyon itself and can be completed easily in a day trip. Outside of the canyon, you’ll find tranquil waterfalls and pools to rest or even camp by.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Atlanta

The heat of the Deep South is every bit of a force to contend with as its reputation implies. For this reason, we strongly encourage visitors to book their visits to Atlanta and its surroundings in either the spring or fall seasons. Not only will rates be cheaper for RV resorts and the crowds smaller, but the scenery will be exemplary in either season.

If you’re planning on taking advantage of the hikes surrounding Atlanta, which season you decide to visit will be totally to your preference. The luxuriant greenery of spring is a rejuvenating landscape to lose yourself in. On the other hand, the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains are a rich and decadent experience for the leaf peepers in all of us to enjoy.

If you’re going to visit Atlanta during the summer, we highly recommend reading this article here for vital information on how to keep cool during RV trips in hot weather.

What do you think about our favorite spontaneous day trips from Atlanta? What’s your favorite spot to visit in the area? Let us know in the comments below!