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.

Treetop Fun

The Northeast Georgia Mountains are the ideal terrain for play on various treetop adventures. Several places in the area offer zip line canopy tours and ropes courses, including within Amicalola and Unicoi state parks.

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.  

Featured Locations:

An old warehouse in Braselton, GA
Braselton
Elberton
Nacoochee Moun in Helen, GA
Helen
Hiawassee
Lake Lanier Islands
Lanier Islands - Buford
a couple on the porch of a yurt in Fort Yargo
Winder
Young Harris

Other Cities:

Carnesville
Clarkesville
Cleveland
Cornelia
Dahlonega
Gainesville
Lavonia
Royston
Sautee Nacoochee
Toccoa

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Northeast Georgia Mountains - Locations

R.H. Burel Park

NE GA Mountains
4th Avenue
Auburn, GA 30011
770-963-4002

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Rabun Beach Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
Lake Rabun Rd. S./County Rd. 10
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Rabun Boathouse

NE GA Mountains
1897 Lake Rabun Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-2628

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Rabun County Public Golf Course

NE GA Mountains
1322 Old 441 S.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-5500

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Rabun County Recreation Department

NE GA Mountains
400 Rabun Park Rd.
Tiger, GA 30576
706-782-4600

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Rabun County Welcome Center

NE GA Mountains
10 Seed Tick Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-4812

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Randy’s Horse Camp

NE GA Mountains
334 Henry Page Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-6118

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Reel Angling Adventures

NE GA Mountains
P.O. Box 12
Suches, GA 30572
866-899-5259

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Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake

NE GA Mountains
4144 Russell Dam Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-213-3400

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Richard Ridling Memorial Park

NE GA Mountains
414 Shankle Heights
Commerce, GA 30529
706-335-3236

River Campground & Lodge

NE GA Mountains
Hwy. 441/23 and Joy Bridge Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-9936

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River Falls at the Gorge

NE GA Mountains
32 Resort Dr.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-754-0292

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River Forks Park and Campground

NE GA Mountains
3500 Keith Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30504
770-535-8280

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River Vista Mountain Village

NE GA Mountains
20 River Vista Dr.
Dillard, GA 30537
706-746-2722

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Riverside Park

NE GA Mountains
1267 Riverside Dr. NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

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Rock Creek Greenway

NE GA Mountains
Downtown Gainesville
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

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Rocky Ford Park

NE GA Mountains
557 Rocky Ford Rd.
Carnesville, GA 30521
706-384-7275

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Roper Park

NE GA Mountains
171 Virginia Cir. NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

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Rose Lane Park

NE GA Mountains
199 Rose Lane Park Dr.
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-886-5101

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Roy E. Parks Children’s Playground

NE GA Mountains
5th Street at 3rd Avenue
Auburn, GA 30011
770-513-8657

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Royal Lakes Golf & Country Club

NE GA Mountains
4700 Royal Lakes Dr.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-535-8800

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Royston Wellness Park

NE GA Mountains
Skelton St.
Royston, GA 30662
706-245-7232

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Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay Marina

NE GA Mountains
6334 Mitchell St.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-967-5500

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Sandy Bottom Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
F.S. Rd. 70
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Sarah’s Creek and Westford Campgrounds

NE GA Mountains
Forest Service Road 156
Clayton, GA 30525
706-490-1246

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Sardis Sports Complex

NE GA Mountains
2811 Sardis Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-535-8280

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Sawnee Campground – Lake Lanier

NE GA Mountains
3200 Buford Dam Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
877-444-6777

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Sawnee Mountain Preserve

NE GA Mountains
4075 Spot Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2217

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Serenity Cellars

NE GA Mountains
303 Laurel Ridge Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30628
706-348-1277

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Shady Creek Expeditions

NE GA Mountains
56 N. Main St.
Clayton, GA 30525
678-986-5167

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Featured Attractions

Georgia State Parks

The Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Park Guide is a handy resource for planning a spring break, summer vacation or family reunion. The free booklet is filled with tips on the best hiking trails, fishing spots, cabins, wedding venues and campsites.
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