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

Appalachian Campground

NE GA Mountains
525 N. Main St.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-7243

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Appalachian Outfitters River Trips

NE GA Mountains
2084 S. Chestatee GA Hwy. 60 S.
Dahlonega, GA 30533-5521
706-864-7117

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Appalachian Trail – Approach Trail

NE GA Mountains
Springer Mountain
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-6278

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Appalachian Trail – Towns County

NE GA Mountains
1411 Jack Dayton Cir.
Young Harris, GA 30546
800-984-1543

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Apple Mountain Golf Club

NE GA Mountains
901 Rockford Creek Rd
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-754-2255

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Aqualand Marina

NE GA Mountains
6800 Lights Ferry Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-967-6811

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Atlanta Motorsports Park

NE GA Mountains
80 Joe Lane, Cox Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
678-455-3646

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Auburn Ball Park

NE GA Mountains
Mary Carter Rd.
Auburn, GA 30011
770-963-4002

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Auburn Youth Athletics

NE GA Mountains
1369 4th Ave.
Auburn, GA 30011
770-963-4002

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BabyLand General Hospital

NE GA Mountains
300 N.O.K. Dr.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-2171

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Bad Branch Falls & Crow Creek Falls

NE GA Mountains
Crow Creek Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-4812

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Bald Mountain Camping Resort

NE GA Mountains
751 Gander Gap Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-8896

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Bald Ridge Creek Campground – Lake Lanier

NE GA Mountains
4100 Bald Ridge Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
877-444-6777

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Bald Ridge Marina

NE GA Mountains
1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-887-5309

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Balloon Safaris International

NE GA Mountains

Lavonia, GA 30553-1326

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Balloons Over Georgia

NE GA Mountains
112 Jason Ln.
Cumming, GA 30040
678-283-4033

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Barker’s Creek Grist Mill

NE GA Mountains
Bettys Creek Road
Rabun Gap, GA 30568
706.746.5718

Bear Gap Outfitters

NE GA Mountains
6 Bear Gap Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-4438

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Beck’s Christmas Tree Farm

NE GA Mountains
648 Christmas Tree Rd.
Bowersville, GA 30516
706-376-5898

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Becky Branch Falls

NE GA Mountains
Warwoman Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Bike Fettish

NE GA Mountains
1164 Old 441 North
Clayton, GA 30525
706-212-2156

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Black Rock Mountain State Park

NE GA Mountains
3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy.
Mountain City, GA 30525
706-746-2141

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Blackhawk Fly Fishing

NE GA Mountains
9400 GA-197
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-947-3474

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Bleu Canoe

NE GA Mountains
115 Sweetwater Cir.
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-947-1833

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Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area

NE GA Mountains
GA Hwy. 52 W. or GA Hwy. 60 N.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
770-535-5700

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Boggs Creek Day Use Area

NE GA Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 129 N.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-745-6928

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Bolding Mill Campground – Lake Lanier

NE GA Mountains
4044 Chestatee Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
877-444-6777

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Bottoms Tree Farm

NE GA Mountains
5880 John Burruss Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-889-5235

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Boundary Waters Resort and Marina

NE GA Mountains
528 Sunnyside Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-2530

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Boutier Winery

NE GA Mountains
4506 Hudson River Church Rd.
Danielsville, GA 30633
706-789-0059

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