Tucked among the furrowed Appalachian foothills, Highlands Nature Sanctuary in Bainbridge provides a peaceful and scenic setting to hike, hibernate and explore murky caves and great stands of trees on 16 miles of trails. Hit the Etawah Woods Trail for the best views of Rocky Fork Gorge, a steep-walled dolomite canyon that cradles Rocky Fork Creek and geologic wonders such as a massive trio of boulders called the Three Sisters.

Rest assured that you won't have to leave this wonderful bit of wilderness when the sun goes down. Perched on the edge of the gorge, the Sanctuary's Zen River Suite is like a treehouse for adults. Enormous windows overlook the sparkling creek, and you'll awake to the calls of birds and the wind whispering through the trees.