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

Finch Creek Farm

NE GA Mountains
1420 Finch Rd.
Winder, GA 30680
770-314-9300

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Flowery Branch Bay Park

NE GA Mountains
6111 Mitchell St.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-967-6371

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Folk Pottery Museum of Northwest Georgia

NE GA Mountains
Sautee-Nacoochee Center, 283 Hwy. 255 N.
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
706-878-3300

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Foothills Campground

NE GA Mountains
5320 Long Branch Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-9979

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Forrest Hills Resort

NE GA Mountains
135 Forrest Hills Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
800-654-6313

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Forsyth Big Creek Greenway

NE GA Mountains
5120 Bethelview Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2215

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Forward Rabun

NE GA Mountains
10 Seed Tick Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-212-0241

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Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center

NE GA Mountains
200 Foxfire Ln.
Mountain City, GA 30562
706-746-5828

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Frady Branch Equestrian & Bike Trail System

NE GA Mountains
4240 Hwy 184
Toccoa, GA 30577
770-297-3000

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Frances Meadows Aquatic and Community Center

NE GA Mountains
1545 Community Way NE
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-533-5850

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Frogtown Cellars

NE GA Mountains
700 Ridge Point Dr.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-865-0687

Gainesville Marina

NE GA Mountains
2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
Gainesville, GA 30501-1005
770-536-2171

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Gainesville Skate Park

NE GA Mountains
636 SW High St.
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

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Georgia Mountain Coaster

NE GA Mountains
8409 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545

Georgia Mountain Fair Campgrounds

NE GA Mountains
1311 Music Hall Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-4191

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Georgia Racing Hall of Fame

NE GA Mountains
415 Highway 53 East
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-216-7223

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Georgia River Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
5625 Anderson Hwy. / U.S. 29
Hartwell, GA 30643
877-444-6777

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Gold City Corral and Carriage Company

NE GA Mountains
49 Forrest Hills Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-9395

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Gold N Gem Grubbin Mine & Campground

NE GA Mountains
75 Gold Nugget Ln.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-5454

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Grove River Ranch, Equestrian Center & Retreat

NE GA Mountains
345 Hickory Flat Dr.
Gillsville, GA 30543
706-677-0072

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Habersham Marina

NE GA Mountains
2200 Habersham Marina Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-887-5432

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Habersham Winery

NE GA Mountains
7025 S. Main St.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-9463

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Hampton Golf Village

NE GA Mountains
6310 Hampton Golf Club Dr.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-205-7070

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Harbor Light Marina

NE GA Mountains
1476 Harbor Light Marina Rd.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-356-4119

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Harold Nash Lake Lanier Striper and Bass Fishing Guide Service

NE GA Mountains
5931 Nacoochee Tr.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-967-6582

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Hart County Wildlife Management Area

NE GA Mountains
GA Hwy. 77 Alt. E.
Hartwell, GA 30643
770-535-5700

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Hart State Outdoor Recreation Area

NE GA Mountains
330 Hart Park Rd.
Hartwell, GA 30643
706-213-2045

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Hartwell Golf Club

NE GA Mountains
755 Golf Course Rd
Hartwell, GA 30643
706-376-8161

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Hartwell Lake and Dam

NE GA Mountains
5625 Anderson Hwy.
Hartwell, GA 30643
706-856-0300

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Hatch Camp & Art Farm

NE GA Mountains
1060 Joe Speed Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-3747

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Featured Attractions