Geologists have counted 43 different colors of soils and sediments in Georgia’s Providence Canyon. Formed in the mid-1800s and located in Stewart County west of Lumpkin in southwest Georgia, it’s known as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon.”

Nature has played only a supporting role, however, in creating gaps in the earth up to 150 feet deep.

Environmental historian Paul Sutter from the University of Colorado (and previously the University of Georgia) talks about the complicated history of what was once farmland and is now a state park.

Learn much more about Providence Canyon and Cloudland Canyon in northwest Georgia on Georgia Outdoors, premiering 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 on GPB TV.

Tags: Georgia Outdoors, Lumpkin, Stewart County, Joshua Stewart, Providence Canyon, Paul Sutter