Cloudland Canyon Campout by Wandering Runner
The goal is simple - get a rad group of trail runners together for a fun training weekend of the best trail running that Northwest Georgia has to offer. Two back to back days of double digit mileage on some of my favorite trails!!
Whether you are training for something big this year or just looking for a fun weekend to make new friends, this camp is perfect for both the veteran and beginner trail runner alike.
We will get to explore the breathtaking canyon and waterfalls of Cloudland Canyon on Saturday, then the pristine trails and iconic Lula falls of Lula Lake Land Trust on Sunday. This weekend is going to be epic!!
Distance from major cities :
Atlanta - 2 hours
Chattanooga - 30 minutes
Knoxville - 2 hours
Nashville - 2.5 hours
Birmingham - 2 hours
Pricing + What's Included
2 nights of group camping with trails in our backyard
2 days of guided group trail runs with interactive maps + gpx files
Professional running photos by Laurie Stevens
Smiles, laughter, story telling and memories that you will carry forever!
This is a bare bones running camp! Participants are responsible for bringing their own gear (tent, cooking equipment, food, bug spray, trail shoes, all other essentials) for the entire weekend.
Pricing
$199/person - Tent camping - You have the option to either tent camp or car camp (sleep in your car).
$249/person - RV site with electric hookup - Must be shorter than 35 feet. There are only two RV sites on the property.
$49.99/ person - Group runs only - Camping not included, you would need to book your own accommodations or commute daily to join us for the group runs.
Dogs are not allowed.
Weekend Schedule
Friday evening
4pm - Check in begins.
6pm - Group dinner and hangout before our night run
8pm - 5 mile night run/hike begins
Saturday - 16 mile route in Cloudland Canyon State Park
8am - Group breakfast and briefing for the day
9am - Caravan from the property to begin our run
9:30am - Begin group run
4pm - Optional second run for the day from the campout property (4-10 miles)
6pm - Group dinner / smores / hangout
Sunday - 14 mile route from the campout property into Lula Lake
8am - Group breakfast and briefing for the day
9am - Begin run from property
3pm - Shower and checkout no later than 3pm
For both runs on Saturday and Sunday, there will be options to make the route shorter or longer. Saturday - we will be passing our cars at mile 10 which we can use as an aid station or finish the run. Sunday - we will pass the property at mile 8 and will have the option to continue running more miles or finish there. If you want to bank more miles for the weekend, you are welcome to go on an extra run or extend the routes however you please. This is YOUR training weekend so make the most of it!!
Waterfalls!!
TLC would tell us don't go chasing waterfalls, but chasing waterfalls is exactly what we will be doing all weekend!! BOTH runs Saturday + Sunday we will get to view some of Georgia's most iconic waterfalls. Cherokee and Hemlock falls in Cloudland Canyon on Saturday, then Lula Falls on Sunday.
Who doesn't love a waterfall?!
About The Campground
This campout is hosted on private property by our friends Bill and Elizabeth Ritter! For privacy reasons, the exact address will not be shared online. If you sign up, the address and instructions for getting there will be emailed to you.
Included on the property - Electricity to charge devices, Sink/running water for doing dishes, pavilion for hanging out and cooking food, two grills for cooking, a firepit for smores n more, one outdoor shower, and a portalette for relieving ourselves. This is a true camping experience with a few creature comforts!!
Required Gear
All campers are required to bring their own gear for the weekend. This includes a tent/shelter for sleeping, sleeping bag or blankets for warmth, cooking equipment (think pots and pans, silverware, anything you need to make your own food), food, and any other supplies needed to live outside for 2 days.
For the running portion, all campers are required to have their own gear to carry up to 2 liters of water if they need it, fuel and nutrition for running 2-5 hours, and trail running shoes. Poles are optional - if you want to practice using them for a race, this will be a good opportunity.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE THE INTERACTIVE COURSE MAPS DOWNLOADED TO A DEVICE! This can either be on the Caltopo app on your phone or saving the GPX file to your watch. This is for safety and to ensure nobody gets lost on the trails.
Don't Want to Camp?
Not into camping but still want to join us for the weekend of running? No worries! There is now a "group runs only" option for $49.99 for the entire weekend. You are responsible for booking your own accommodation or commuting for one or all of the days to join us.
We are located just 30 minutes from Chattanooga where there are plenty of hotels and airbnb options if you are traveling.
Event's current local time: 4:37 AM ET
