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

Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 123
Cornelia, GA 30563
770-535-5700

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-huntingshooting.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
Lake Seed – Georgia Power

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off Lake Rabun Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-4014

icon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-swimming.png
Lake Toccoa

NE GA Mountains
201 Black Mountain Rd.
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-282-3232

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-golf.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Lake Tugalo – Georgia Power

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off U.S. Hwy. 441 N.
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
706-782-4014

icon-boating.pngicon-fishing.png
Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 180
Suches, GA 30572
706-745-6928

icon-adrenalineadventuresicon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-swimming.png
Lake Yonah – Georgia Power

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Tugalo Dam Rd.
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
706-782-4014

icon-boating.pngicon-fishing.png
Lake Zwerner Trail & Pulloff

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1687 Morrison Moore Pkwy.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-864-3513

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.png
Lanier Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1360 Lanier Park Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-9531

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Lanier Point Park and Athletic Complex

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1579 Lee Waldrip Dr. NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-287-0208

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Lanier Sailing Academy

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6920 Holiday Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-8810

icon-boating.pngicon-paddlingfloating.png
Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm

Northeast Georgia Mountains
106 Agape Dr.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-835-1837

> Learn More
Laurel Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3100 Old Cleveland Hwy
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-535-8280

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Laurel Ridge Trail

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1200 Saddle Dike #3
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-9531

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Lavonia Carnegie Library

Northeast Georgia Mountains
28 Hartwell Rd.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-356-4307

> Learn More
Lavonia Depot

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1269 E. Main St.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-356-1926

> Learn More
Lavonia Speedway

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5941 Lavonia Hwy.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-612-0893

> Learn More
Lazy Days at Holiday Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6700 Holiday Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
678-288-8916

icon-boating.pngicon-services.png
> Learn More
Lazy L Cabins

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1014 Flatwoods Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-283-8163

icon-camping.pngicon-cabins.png
LCKC Kayak and Canoe Rentals

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3105 Clarks Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-287-7888

icon-paddlingfloating.png
> Learn More
Leisure Acres Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3840 Westmoreland Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-6466

icon-camping.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-services.pngicon-swimming.png
Linwood Nature Preserve

Northeast Georgia Mountains
415 Linwood Dr.
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.png
> Learn More
Little Hall Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3501 Dawsonville Hwy.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-945-9531

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Little River Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2665 Little River Park Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30507

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-swimming.png
> Learn More
Logan Turnpike Mill

Northeast Georgia Mountains
4494 Gainesville Hwy.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-5735

> Learn More
LoganBerry Heritage Farm

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2660 Adair Mill Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-348-6068

> Learn More
Long Ridge Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
180 Jarrard Camp Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-3453

icon-camping.png
Longwood Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
20 Pearl Nix Pkwy.
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-531-2680

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Low Gap Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Chattahoochee River Rd.
Helen, GA 30545
706-490-1246

icon-camping.png
Lower Overlook Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1060 Buford Dam Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-9531

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More
Lower Pool Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3600 Buford Dam Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-945-9531

icon-birdingwildlife.pngicon-boating.pngicon-fishing.pngicon-hiking.pngicon-paddlingfloating.pngicon-running.png
> Learn More

Featured Attractions