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

  • City

  • Activities

  • Reset

Northeast Georgia Mountains - Locations

Shady Grove Campground

NE GA Mountains
7800 Shadburn Ferry Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-205-6849

icon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

NE GA Mountains
2355 Ethridge Rd.
Jefferson, GA 30549
706-367-2949

> Learn More
Shoal Creek Campground

NE GA Mountains
Just off Buford Dam Rd. and Shadburn Ferry Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-8787

icon-camping.pngicon-services.png
Skeenah Creek Campground

NE GA Mountains
20 Skeenah Gap Rd.
Suches, GA 30572
706-838-5500

icon-camping.png
> Learn More
Skip Barber Racing School

NE GA Mountains
5300 Winder Hwy.
Braselton, GA 30517
860-435-4169

> Learn More
Sky Valley Country Club

NE GA Mountains
568 Sky Valley Dr.
Sky Valley, GA 30537
706-746-5302

icon-golf.pngicon-services.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center

NE GA Mountains
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3087

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Solar System Walking Tour

NE GA Mountains
Gainesville Square
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-535-7181

icon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Soque River

NE GA Mountains
Soque River
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-778-4654

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-cabins.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
> Learn More
Sosebee Cove Scenic Area

NE GA Mountains
GA Hwy. 180
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.png
Southeastern Expeditions

NE GA Mountains
7350 Hwy. 76 E.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-4331

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-services.png
Southeastern Expeditions – Chattooga

NE GA Mountains
851A Chattooga Ridge Road
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
706-782-4331

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-services.png
Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area

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

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-hiking.png
Southern Tree Plantation

NE GA Mountains
2226 Owltown Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-0601

icon-services.png
> Learn More
Spencer Park

NE GA Mountains
1 Pine St.
Commerce, GA 30529
706-335-3236

> Learn More
Spout Springs Sports Complex

NE GA Mountains
6603 Spout Springs Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-535-8280

> Learn More
Stephens County Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
Stephens County Park Rd.
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-886-9491

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
Stonewall Creek Falls & White Twister Trails

NE GA Mountains
Old 441 S.
Tiger, GA 30576
706-782-4812

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Stonewall Creek Vineyards

NE GA Mountains
323 Standing Deer Ln.
Tiger, GA 30576
706-212-0584

> Learn More
Sunburst Stables

NE GA Mountains
250 Sunburst Ln.
Clarkesville, GA 30571
800-806-1953

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-boating.pngicon-equestrian.png
Sunny Farms Stables

NE GA Mountains
1332 Longbranch Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-9167

icon-equestrian.png
Sunrise Cove Marina

NE GA Mountains
5725 Flat Creek Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30504
770-536-8599

icon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-services.png
Sunset Ridge Campground

NE GA Mountains
2320 Middleton Shores Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-988-8091

icon-camping.pngicon-cabins.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Sunshine Charters

NE GA Mountains
3460 Marina Crest Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-316-5558

icon-fishing.png
Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area

NE GA Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 75
Hiawassee, GA 30546
770-535-5700

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-huntingshooting.png
Sweet Acre Farms

NE GA Mountains
7570 Bill Wilson Rd.
Alto, GA 30510
770-262-8497

> Learn More
Sweetwater Anglers

NE GA Mountains
3645 Hilldale Rd.
Oakwood, GA 30566
770-530-2228

icon-fishing.png
Sylvan Valley Cellars

NE GA Mountains
747 Duncan Bridge Rd.
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
(706) 865-7371

Tallulah Adventures

NE GA Mountains
11785 Hwy. 441
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-services.png
Tallulah Falls Lake – Georgia Power

NE GA Mountains
Off U.S. Hwy. 441 S.
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
706-782-4014

icon-boating.pngicon-fishing.png

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.
Visit Website