For years, marathon runners have endured long distances in their quest for bragging rights and prestigious t-shirts. Now, state park hikers have their own conquest that ends with an exclusive “I did it!” t-shirt. Georgia’s new Canyon Climbers Club is reserved for those few who have scaled to the top of Amicalola Falls, explored the depths of Providence Canyon, braved the swinging bridge in Tallulah Gorge and faced the daunting staircase in Cloudland Canyon.

Created by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ State Parks Division, the Canyon Climbers Club is a way to encourage Georgians to “Get Out. Get Dirty. Get Fit.” The new slogan recognizes that parks not only protect natural environments, they also provide beautiful settings for exercise and recreation. Few would argue that climbing a 1,000-foot canyon is more adventurous and challenging than spending 30 minutes on a Stairmaster. The club also encourages families to exercise together in a way that is exciting for children.

To join the Canyon Climbers Club, hikers should stop by one of the four participating state park offices and purchase a $10 membership card. Membership cards are also available by calling (770) 389-7401 or you may send an email with your name, address and daytime phone number to: Jeannene_Woodruff@dnr.state.ga.us. Jeannene will call you and make the necessary arrangements in getting the card to you as quickly as possible. A healthy dose of enthusiasm and sturdy hiking boots are recommended. Once they have visited all four parks and had their card punched by rangers, hikers can redeem it for a t-shirt and bragging rights. No time limit applies, so hikers can take as long as they wish to visit all four parks.

The 729-foot Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascade east of the Mississippi River. A paved, one-mile Base of Falls Trail begins at the bottom and climbs up the mountain while following the water’s edge. Overlooks and staircases with a total of 604 steps provide excellent views, and thankfully a few benches offer places to rest. Club members must hike this red-blazed trail to get their card punched. Amicalola Falls State Park is near Dawsonville in the middle of north Georgia. Overnight accommodations include a mountain-top lodge, rental cottages and campground.

Park volunteer Jack Fussell is proof that hiking waterfall trails can be good for both your heart and happiness. In 2002, he weighed 272 pounds and suffered from a bleeding ulcer. After hiking the Base of Falls trail several times a week, he had lost 86 pounds in nine months. Today he weighs a healthy 172.

“I have no idea why I decided to drive to Amicalola Falls,” said Fussell, who lived 59 miles away in Acworth at the time. He was drawn back to the park, partially because of the others on the trail. “As you keep going, people see you, they ask what you’re doing and they offer encouragement.”

On the edge of Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia sits Cloudland Canyon State Park. The rugged gorge has more than six miles of hiking trails, including the one-mile Waterfalls Trail with a 600-step staircase. During very dry summers, the park’s two waterfalls can shrink to a trickle, yet the rugged scenery of this park remains some of the best in the state. Club members must hike down the Waterfalls Trail, and back up of course, to get their card punched.

Tallulah Gorge State Park in northeast Georgia is one of the most spectacular canyons in the South. The 1,000-foot-deep gorge was crossed twice by high wire acrobats – Professor Leon in 1886 and Karl Wallenda in 1970. Today, visitors can hike from one side to the other via a suspension bridge swaying 80 feet from the bottom. The staircases leading to the bridge include 310 steps from the north rim and 340 from the south rim – quite a workout for visitors who complete the whole journey. However, Canyon Climbers Club members need walk only up and down from the north rim’s overlook 2.

One of Georgia’s most photographed landscapes is Providence Canyon State Park in the southwest. The beautiful multi-hued soil of these canyons was originally exposed after farmers used poor erosion control during the 1800s. Today, the area is a protected state park with 10 miles of trails, a visitor center and backpacking sites. A surprising feature of the park is the perpetually wet canyon floor. The exposed water table creates a pretty pattern in the sand, called a “braided stream.” Club members need to hike the loop trail from the visitor center, with a side trip into scenic canyon 5, to complete their 1.5-mile quest.

For overnight reservations, call the Georgia State Park Reservation Center at 1-800-864-7275.