Nearby Places

See nearby attractions, stores and restaurants on Google Maps

The Beloved Blue Hole

Be sure to check out the beautiful 

Blue Hole waterfall and swimming hole while you are here!

It’s a 1-mile hike from where you are standing. To get to Blue Hole, exit the Parksland driveway and turn right. After turning right from the driveway, walk along Germany Mountain Rd. for about ¼ mile until you see an unmarked trail entrance*. The hike to the top of the waterfall is about ¼ mile into the trail. 

Look for a small trail on the right. 

Warning: the path to the waterfall is a bit steep and narrow and can be slippery after a rain.

If you want to enjoy swimming in Blue Hole, continue about  ¼ mile straight down the larger path instead, which will take you to a lovely beach area where you can also view the waterfall from afar. 

* At the time of this writing, the path to Blue Hole continues to be marked by trash in the surrounding area. We make an effort to host regular clean ups and often encourage Parksland guests to take a trash bag if they feel inclined to help remove trash. You can find trash bags by the camp store. If you bring back a small bag of trash from Blue Hole, we’ll reward you with a small gift from Parksland!

The Pinhoti Trail

About The Pinhoti Trail 

(source: Wikipedia)

The Pinhoti Trail is a Southern Appalachian Mountains long-distance trail, 335 miles (540 km) in length, located in the United States within the states of Alabama and Georgia. The trail's southern terminus is on Flagg Mountain, near Weogufka, Alabama, the southernmost peak in the state that rises over 1,000 feet (300 m). (The mountain is often called the southernmost Appalachian peak, though by most geological reckonings, the actual Appalachian range ends somewhat farther north in Alabama.) The trail's northern terminus is where it joins the Benton MacKaye Trail. The trail's highest point is Buddy Cove Gap, with an elevation of 3164 feet near the Cohutta Wilderness. Its lowest point above sea level is close to Weogufka Creek near Weogufka State Forest at 545 feet.

The Pinhoti Trail is a part of the Eastern Continental Trail and the Great Eastern Trail, both very long-distance US hiking trails connecting multiple states.

Directions to the Pinhoti Trail from Parksland Retreat

Turn left out of the Parksland driveway and continue down a gravel road for 2 miles; you’ll go straight on a dirt road for 1 additional mile. You’ll find the entrance at Joglama/Scott Lake.