Georgia Road Trip with Kids: Currents, Cliffs, and Crushing It (Day 4)
Region: North Georgia Mountains
Welcome to Day 4
If you’re reading along with Ethan and Oliver, today’s journey flowed from a peaceful riverside trail to soaring zipline adventures, and from roaring waterfalls to the rumble of diesel engines. It was a day of big sights, big thrills, and an important reminder that even the best plans sometimes change.
Itinerary Overview
Route: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area → Amicalola Falls State Park → Tank Town USA → Cabin stay in the North Georgia mountains
Total Drive Time: ~3 hours (with mountain roads)
Activity Time: 6–8 hours
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Stop 1: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Sandy Springs, GA
What to Expect
This 48-mile protected stretch of the Chattahoochee River offers scenic trails, calm riverbanks, and a rich history as one of the region’s earliest “roads” for travel and trade. Spot turtles, herons, and other wildlife along the water’s edge while learning how the river supported Native Americans, early settlers, and industry.
NPS Stamp: Yes — don’t forget your National Parks Passport!
Educational Tie-In
- Rivers as transportation corridors
- River ecosystems and wildlife spotting
- Conservation and pollution control efforts
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
Think of a place in nature that feels peaceful to you. What would you do to protect it for future generations?
Faith Connection
Isaiah 43:2 — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”
Stop 2: Amicalola Falls State Park – Dawsonville, GA
What to Expect
Home to Georgia’s tallest waterfall at 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is a breathtaking stop. Visitors can hike to the top or enjoy the view from the base — and adventurous families can take on the park’s zipline course, complete with suspension bridges and panoramic forest views. The park is also the gateway to the Appalachian Trail’s southern terminus.
Educational Tie-In
- Georgia geography and elevation
- Appalachian Trail history and thru-hiking culture
- Physics of ziplining (gravity, momentum, and speed)
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
What “big challenge” would you like to accomplish one day, like hiking a long trail or learning a new skill? What first step could you take now?
Faith Connection
Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Stop 3: Tank Town USA – Morganton, GA
What to Expect
Get behind the wheel of a real tank, crush a car, and dig with a giant excavator in this one-of-a-kind heavy machinery playground. Weather can occasionally change plans — but even if the tank’s a no-go, the excavator is still a muddy, muscle-powered thrill.
Educational Tie-In
- Engineering and mechanics of heavy machinery
- Safety procedures for operating large equipment
- Adaptability and problem-solving when plans change
Notebook/Conversation Prompt
Think of a time something you were looking forward to didn’t go as planned. How did you respond — and what did you learn from it?
Faith Connection
Proverbs 19:21 — “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
What We Learned Today
From a gentle river to a roaring waterfall, from flying over the forest to digging deep in the mud, today was about both movement and meaning. The tank never rolled, but we learned that a day can still be good — even when it looks different than you expected.
State Symbols We Spotted
- State Bird: Brown Thrasher (heard along the river trail)
Plan It Yourself
You can map this exact route — and customize it for your own family’s adventure — using Roadtrippers Plus. It’s our favorite trip-planning tool for finding kid-friendly stops, tracking drive times, and keeping everything in one place.
View our full trip on Roadtrippers: Ethan & Oliver Adventures Georgia’s On My Mind Road Trip Map
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Unless otherwise noted, all destinations, attractions, and resources mentioned here are places we’ve personally chosen to visit and recommend. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these locations — including Roadtrippers. We simply use and enjoy their trip-planning tool and share it as a resource for fellow travelers.
