Locate It: Blue Ridge

To the south of Blue Ridge is the Aska Adventure Area, Springer Mountain, Amicalola Falls and the head of the Appalachian Trail. To the east is the Blairsville/Hiawassee area with Vogel State Park and Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak. To the west is the 40,000-acre Cohutta Wilderness, and to the north is the Copper Basin of Tennessee, the Ocoee Scenic Byway and Ocoee River whitewater.

There are 16 waterfalls within a short drive of Blue Ridge on our self-guided waterfall map, which you can download on blueridgemountains.com.

Tube, kayak or raft the Toccoa River either above or below the Lake Blue Ridge dam. Enjoy the Morganton Point Recreation Area on Lake Blue Ridge, which features camping, fishing, a swimming beach and picnic areas, plus kayak and paddleboard rentals. Rent a pontoon, canoe, kayak or paddleboard at Lake Blue Ridge Marina for a day on the lake.

Whitewater rafting on the wild waters of the Ocoee River equals a full day of fun. The Olympic kayak slalom course at the Ocoee Whitewater Center is perfect for wading and sliding over the rocks when the river is not running (weekdays).

As the Trout Capital of Georgia, there are more than 100 miles of great trout fishing rivers, creeks and streams in the area, including Jack’s River, Conasauga River, Toccoa River, Rock Creek, Noontootla Creek, and Cooper Creek. Consult the Georgia Guide to Trout Fishing, available free at the Welcome Center, for details on seasons, creel limits and size restrictions. Fishing guides and outfitters are plentiful in Blue Ridge.

Riding stables around Blue Ridge specialize in family trail rides for kids of almost all ages. They are open year-round with seasonal hayrides and evening wagon rides with campfire dinners.

Golfers can get in some spectacular play at Old Toccoa Farm, Blue Ridge’s Bunker Hill-designed course, a par-72, links-feel course totaling 6,707 beautiful yards. The course winds through 125 acres of ridges and meadows, featuring more than 280 feet of elevation change with spectacular views of the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests and surrounding valleys.

Explore the mountains and countryside on five scenic driving tours available at the Welcome Center or online at blueridgemountains.com/plan/self-guided-tours-and-maps. Drives range from half-day to full-day trips with lots of scenery and attractions along the way. The Mountains & Countryside Driving Tour is a great way to get oriented to Georgia’s Blue Ridge on the first day of your visit. Other driving tours are Nature in the Cohutta Wilderness, Daytrip to Dahlonega & Apple Alley, Fannin County Town & Country and “Suches It Is” Loop from Morganton to Suches.

Whatever you decide to do here in Blue Ridge, you couldn’t have picked a more spectacular place!