Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Strange Ground: Ecological Wonders of the Deep South

The southeastern U.S. is one of the most geologically and ecologically complex regions in the country. Its limestone karst terrain is riddled with sinkholes and underwater cave systems, while its coastal plains support the largest blackwater swamp in North America. Sandstone gorges harbor species displaced southward by ice-age glaciers, still surviving far from their original range. This three-day route—from northern Alabama through southwestern Georgia and into north-central Florida—allows you to experience all of this region’s fascinating natural diversity in eight stops.