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

Riverbend Campground

NE GA Mountains
2626 Streak Hill Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-1415

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Road Atlanta

NE GA Mountains
5300 Winder Hwy.
Braselton, GA 30517
770-967-6143

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Smithgall Woods State Park

NE GA Mountains
601 Tsalaki Tr.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3087

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The Chimneys Golf Course

NE GA Mountains
338 Monroe Hwy.
Winder, GA 30680
770-307-4900

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The Georgia Club

NE GA Mountains
1050 Chancellor's Dr
Statham, GA 30666
770-725-8100

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The Ridges Resort Marina

NE GA Mountains
3379 Hwy. 76 W.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-2112

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Tray Mountain Wilderness Area

NE GA Mountains
F.S. Rd. 698 and Appalachian Trail
Helen, GA 30523
706-754-6221

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Tugaloo State Park

NE GA Mountains
1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-356-4362

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Unicoi State Park & Lodge

NE GA Mountains
1788 GA Hwy. 356
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-2201

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Upper Chattahoochee River Blue Trail

NE GA Mountains
Upper Chattahoochee River
Helen, GA 30571
404-216-9351

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Upper Lanier Water Trail

NE GA Mountains
Chattahoochee River Water Trail
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5499

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Victoria Bryant State Park

NE GA Mountains
1105 Bryant Park Rd.
Royston, GA 30662
706-245-6270

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Vogel State Park

NE GA Mountains
405 Vogel State Park Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-2628

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Watson Mill Bridge State Park

NE GA Mountains
650 Watson Mill Rd.
Comer, GA 30629
706-783-5349

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Woody’s Mountain Bikes

NE GA Mountains
457 Georgia 356
Helen, GA 30545-2307
706-878-3715

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YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont

NE GA Mountains
50 Brad Akins Dr.
Winder, GA 30677
770-868-2917

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Zip-n-Time – Nacoochee Outdoor Adventures

NE GA Mountains
7019 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-9477

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12 Spies Vineyards & Farm

NE GA Mountains
550 Black Branch Rd.
Rabun Gap, GA 30568
813-503-0550

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7 G’s Farm

NE GA Mountains
2331 Old Kings Bridge Rd.
Nicholson, GA 30565
706-202-8936

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7M Family Farms

NE GA Mountains
556 Crump Creek Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-835-1607

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A Step Above Stables

NE GA Mountains
3839 S. Mauney Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-9051

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Adventure Cycles

NE GA Mountains
5900 Spout Springs Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-534-1190

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Alberta Banks Park and Bobby Bailey Tennis Center

NE GA Mountains
5575 Jim Crow Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-535-8280

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Allen Creek Soccer Complex

NE GA Mountains
2500 Allen Creek Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30501
678-450-6502

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Alpine Mini Golf Village

NE GA Mountains
7914 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3328

American Veterans Memorial Park

NE GA Mountains
204 Carson St.
Commerce, GA 30529
706-335-3236

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Anchorage Marina

NE GA Mountains
75 Timpson Cove Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-3013

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Andrews Cove Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
GA Hwy. 75 N.
Helen, GA 30545
706-754-6221

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Andy’s Trout Farm

NE GA Mountains
116Andy's Trout Farm Rd.
Otto, NC 28763
706-746-2550

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Angel Falls & Panther Falls

NE GA Mountains
4726 Lake Rabun Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
877-444-6777

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