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.  

  • Reset

Northeast Georgia Mountains - Locations

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd.
Dawsonville, GA 30534-1003
706-265-4703

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-cabins.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-geocaching.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Andrew’s Cove Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA 75 north from Helen for approx. 5.5 miles
Helen, GA 30545
706-490-1246

icon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Anna Ruby Falls

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 356
Helen, GA 30545
706-754-6221

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course at Lake Richard B. Russell

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2790 Olympic Rowing Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-283-6000

icon-golf.png
> Learn More
Bartram Trail – Rabun

NE GA Mountains

Clayton, GA 30525

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
Beaverdam Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1155 Marina Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-213-6462

icon-boating.pngicon-services.png
Bethlehem Town Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
22 Star St.
Bethlehem, GA 30620
770-867-0702

icon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Bobby Brown Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2509 Bobby Brown State Park Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-283-5500

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6321 U.S. Hwy. 76
Young Harris, GA 30582
706-379-9900

icon-equestrian.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-golf.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Chateau Elan Chateau Course

Northeast Georgia Mountains
106 Fairview Drive
Braselton, GA 30517
678-425-0900

icon-golf.png
> Learn More
Chateau Elan Winery and Resort

Northeast Georgia Mountains
100 Rue Charlemagne
Braselton, GA 30517
678-425-0900

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-bicyclingicon-equestrian.pngicon-golf.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-services.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. Alt. 75 and GA Hwy. 75 N.
Helen, GA 30545
706-535-5700

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-huntingshooting.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
> Learn More
Cool River Tubing and Adventures

Northeast Georgia Mountains
590 Edelweiss Strasse
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-2665

icon-paddlingfloating.png
> Learn More
Cornelia Splash Pad

NE GA Mountains
102 Grant Place
Cornelia, GA 30531
cornelia.city/living-visiting/city-parks/splash-pad/

> Learn More
Dillard House Stables

Northeast Georgia Mountains
768 Franklin St.
Dillard, GA 30537
706-746-2038

icon-equestrian.pngicon-services.png
Don Carter State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-450-7726

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-cabins.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-geocaching.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Dukes Creek Falls and Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 348
Helen, GA 30545
706-754-6221

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Elachee Nature Science Center

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2125 Elachee Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30507
770-535-1976

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Elbert County Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 72
Elberton, GA 30635
770-595-4222

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-equestrian.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-huntingshooting.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
Fort Yargo State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
210 S. Broad St.
Winder, GA 30680
770-867-3489

icon-bicyclingicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-cabins.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-geocaching.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-services.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
96 Pavilion Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-970-0011

> Learn More
Hardman Farm Historic Site

Northeast Georgia Mountains
143 Hwy. 17
Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
706-878-1077

> Learn More
Hatch Camp & Art Farm

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

icon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-services.png
Helen Tubing and Waterpark

Northeast Georgia Mountains
9917 Hwy. 75 N.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-1082

icon-paddlingfloating.png
> Learn More
Highland Walk Golf Course

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1415 Bryant Park Rd.
Royston, GA 30662
706-245-6770

icon-golf.png
> Learn More
Innovations Amphitheater

Northeast Georgia Mountains
985 Austin Rd.
Winder, GA 30680
770-825-1111

> Learn More
Innsbruck Golf Course

Northeast Georgia Mountains
664 Bahn Innsbruck
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-2100

icon-golf.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
James Shackelford Memorial Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Browns Bridge Rd. and Appalachee Church Rd.
Auburn, GA 30011
770-963-4002

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Lake Burton

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 197/U.S. Hwy. 76
Clayton, GA 30523
706-782-4014

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-swimming.png
Lake Chatuge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 76
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-4966

icon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-services.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More

Featured Attractions