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

Woody’s Mountain Bikes

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

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Upper Chattahoochee River Blue Trail

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

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Unicoi State Park & Lodge

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

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Elachee Nature Science Center

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

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Port Royale Marina/Best in Boating

Northeast Georgia Mountains
8800 Port Royale Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-467-8847

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Innsbruck Golf Course

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

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Helen Tubing and Waterpark

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

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Hardman Farm Historic Site

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

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Chateau Elan Chateau Course

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

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Dukes Creek Falls and Recreation Area

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

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Cool River Tubing and Adventures

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

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Anna Ruby Falls

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

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Andrew’s Cove Campground

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

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Solar System Walking Tour

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Gainesville Square
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-535-7181

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Tugaloo State Park

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

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Victoria Bryant State Park

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

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Highland Walk Golf Course

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

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Innovations Amphitheater

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

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James Shackelford Memorial Park

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

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Road Atlanta

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

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Bethlehem Town Park

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

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The Georgia Club

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

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The Chimneys Golf Course

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

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YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont

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

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Upper Lanier Water Trail

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

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Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Northeast Georgia
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5499

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Fort Yargo State Park

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

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Don Carter State Park

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

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North Georgia Canopy Tours

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5275 Harris Rd.
Lula, GA 30554
770-869-7272

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Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

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

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Featured Attractions