Locate It: Chatsworth

Fort Mountain State Park has more than 60 miles of trails to discover with panoramic overlooks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A beautiful 17-acre lake gives anglers the chance to take dinner back to the cottage or campsite to fry up in a big iron skillet. Swimmers can relax in the sun on a sandy beach during the season. Those wanting more adventure can rent a jon boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, aquacycle or pedal boat. Located along the scenic drive of Highway 52 near the Cohutta Wilderness, visitors can spend years exploring over 3,500 acres.

Encompassing 37,000 acres, the Cohutta Wilderness is the largest National Forest Wilderness east of the Mississippi River. With more than 90 miles of tree-draped trails, nature lovers will relish the opportunity to explore this gorgeous area where deer, black bear, turkey, and even wild boar make their home. Two of Georgia’s popular trout fishing destinations are here along the protected Jacks and Conasauga Rivers.

Waterfall enthusiasts can begin their adventures at Emery Creek Trail, an intermediate-to-difficult level, 6.2-mile hike that follows a lush, green path near Holly Creek. This remote destination in the Cohutta Wilderness is perfect for a private picnic by the cascading falls.

The round-trip hike of 9 miles is longer, but the path is of moderate difficulty, so you don’t notice the difference in length. Begin the hike at Beech Bottom Trailhead. Know that camping here is limited because of the popularity of the thundering falls.

True to the best outdoor destinations in Georgia, Chatsworth has two more scenic lakes for visitors to enjoy. Carters Lake is the deepest lake in the state, with more than 62 miles of shoreline bordering 3,200 acres of sparkling water. Boaters can conveniently access strategically positioned boat ramps, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, camping, hiking and biking trails. Lake Conasauga is a beautiful 19-acre, spring-fed lake only 24 miles from Chatsworth, complete with a 31-site national campground.

Birders come to the Cohutta Mountains from miles around to experience the multitude of species and varieties that nest or rest here. Lake Conasauga Recreation Area welcomes electric motors on boats to keep the stunning water pure. Dogs are allowed on leashes. It is open mid-April until October 31.