LOCATE IT: Northeast Georgia Mountains

Northeast Georgia Mountains: Gateway to the Appalachian Mountains

Make your way to the Northeast Georgia Mountains Region, the gateway to the Appalachian Mountains, for some of the best hiking, biking, camping, climbing, canoeing, and kayaking in the world. Home of the Chattahoochee National Forest and the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, this region offers unparalleled outdoor experiences.

Get your adrenaline flowing on the Chattooga River’s raging waters from Georgia’s northeastern peaks via guided rafting trips over Class II, III, IV and V rapids, allowing you to experience the wonders of this nationally designated “Wild & Scenic” river. Gentler rivers and streams in the area are perfect for tubing or paddling lazily downriver on a hot summer day.

Make your way along the famed Appalachian Trail if you have the boots and a little stamina for it, or tackle one of the many other trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest or Georgia’s state parks in the region.

Waterfall fans can hike to several incredible waterfalls within a short drive of each other. About 26 feet higher than Niagara Falls, Toccoa Falls makes a breathtaking plunge, and visitors certainly marvel at Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall in Georgia and one of the most majestic in North America. Many of the waterfalls are found within the area’s state parks. You could spend an entire week hiking to these and other Northeast Georgia cascades.

Combine a visit to Georgia’s highest point – Brasstown Bald – with a hike along the nearly six-mile-long Wagon Train Foot Trail from Brasstown Bald to Young Harris College. Or take the steep, but paved, half-mile trail from the parking lot to the Visitor Information Center.

Boating and water sports are popular in this part of Georgia, thanks to places such as Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee and Lake Sidney Lanier, “Georgia’s Great Lake,” in Gainesville. Rent a boat at Port Royale Marina for a day on Lake Lanier. Nearby, enjoy the dynamic community of Braselton, home to the world-class amenity, Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, and Golf Club, and for the racing enthusiast, Road Atlanta, one of the world’s best road courses.

Camping is plentiful in Northeast Georgia’s state parks and outdoor recreation areas: Black Rock Mountain, Moccasin Creek and Tallulah Gorge, all near Clayton; Tugaloo State Park near Lavonia; Hart Outdoor Recreation Area on Lake Hartwell; Richard B. Russell Park on Lake Russell; Watson Mill Bridge Park in Elberton and Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston; Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods State Park near Helen; Vogel State Park in Blairsville; Amicalola State Park in Dawsonville, Fort Yargo State Park in Winder and Don Carter State Park in Gainesville.

Choose from hundreds of roadside options for a picnic with spectacular views of picturesque peaks. Rock climbing and mountain biking are two other strenuous sports that our mountains embrace.  

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Northeast Georgia Mountains - Locations

Myrtle Street Park

NE GA Mountains
854 Myrtle St. SW
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

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Nantahala Outdoor Center – Chattooga

NE GA Mountains
Off U.S. Hwy. 76 E.
Clayton, GA 29664

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Nichols Campground

NE GA Mountains
685 Tallulah River Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
​706-782-9765

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Nora Mill Granary

NE GA Mountains
7107 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
800-927-2375

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North Georgia Premium Outlets

NE GA Mountains
800 Highway 400 South
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-216-3609

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North Georgia Wildlife Park

NE GA Mountains
2912 Paradise Valley Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-348-7279

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North Hall Community Center and Park

NE GA Mountains
4175 Nopone Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-535-8280

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Northeast Georgia History Center

NE GA Mountains
322 Academy St. NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5900

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Northstar Bicycle

NE GA Mountains
471 Quill Drive, Suite 110
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-4397

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Oakey Mountain OHV Trail

NE GA Mountains
Burton Dam Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-754-6221

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Odom Springs Vineyards

NE GA Mountains
637 Odom Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-3094

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Old Federal Campground – Lake Lanier

NE GA Mountains
6219 Old Federal Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
877-444-6777

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Old Union Golf Course

NE GA Mountains
129 Union County Rec Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-5789

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Osage Farms

NE GA Mountains
5030 Hwy. 441 N.
Rabun Gap, GA 30568
706-746-7262

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Panther Creek Falls and Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
Old U.S. Hwy. 441 N.
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-754-6221

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Panther Creek Trail from Yonah Dam

NE GA Mountains
Panther Creek Rd.
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-886-2132

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Paradise Hills Resort & Spa

NE GA Mountains
366 Paradise Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-7483

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Park Street Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
Park Street
Statham, GA 30666
770-725-5455

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Paul Anderson Memorial Park

NE GA Mountains
E. Tugaloo St. & Big A Rd.
Toccoa, GA 30577

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Paynes Creek Campground

NE GA Mountains
518 Ramp Rd.
Hartwell, GA 30643
877-444-6777

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Pegasus Horse-Drawn Carriages

NE GA Mountains
423 Roy Powers Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-499-1159

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Pine Shore Park

NE GA Mountains
452 N. %th Ave.
Winder, GA 30680
770-867-3106

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Pine-Der-Rosa Campground

NE GA Mountains
2561 Hulmes Chapel Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-213-1708

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Platt Park

NE GA Mountains
4723 E. Reed Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30507
770-535-8280

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Poole’s Mill Park and Historic Covered Bridge

NE GA Mountains
7725 Poole's Mill Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2215

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Popcorn Overlook

NE GA Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 76 W.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Port of Indecision at Margaritaville Lanier Islands

NE GA Mountains
7000 Lake Lanier Islands Pkwy.
Buford, GA 30518
770-932-7255

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Port Royale Marina/Best in Boating

NE GA Mountains
8800 Port Royale Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-467-8847

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Poteete Creek Campground

NE GA Mountains
1040 Poteete Creek Road
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-439-6103

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Primitive Outback Kayaking & Gem Mining

NE GA Mountains
155 Robin Lynn Ln.
Otto, NC 28763
828-349-1717

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