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

Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6334 Mitchell St.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-967-5500

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Sandy Bottom Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
F.S. Rd. 70
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Sarah’s Creek and Westford Campgrounds

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Forest Service Road 156
Clayton, GA 30525
706-490-1246

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Sardis Sports Complex

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2811 Sardis Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-535-8280

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Sawnee Campground – Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3200 Buford Dam Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
877-444-6777

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Sawnee Mountain Preserve

Northeast Georgia Mountains
4075 Spot Rd.
Cumming, GA 30040
770-781-2217

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Serenity Cellars

Northeast Georgia Mountains
303 Laurel Ridge Rd.
Cleveland, GA 30628
706-348-1277

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Shady Creek Expeditions

NE GA Mountains
56 N. Main St.
Clayton, GA 30525
678-986-5167

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Shady Grove Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
7800 Shadburn Ferry Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
770-205-6849

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Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2355 Ethridge Rd.
Jefferson, GA 30549
706-367-2949

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Shoal Creek Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Just off Buford Dam Rd. and Shadburn Ferry Rd.
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-8787

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Signature Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1675 GA 211
Hoschton, GA 30548
844-630-7275

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Skeenah Creek Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
20 Skeenah Gap Rd.
Suches, GA 30572
706-838-5500

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Skip Barber Racing School

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5300 Winder Hwy.
Braselton, GA 30517
860-435-4169

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Sky Valley Country Club

Northeast Georgia Mountains
568 Sky Valley Dr.
Sky Valley, GA 30537
706-746-5302

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Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center

Northeast Georgia Mountains
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3087

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Solar System Walking Tour

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

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Sosebee Cove Scenic Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 180
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928

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Southeastern Expeditions

Northeast Georgia Mountains
7350 Hwy. 76 E.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-4331

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Southeastern Expeditions – Chattooga

Northeast Georgia Mountains
851A Chattooga Ridge Road
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
706-782-4331

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Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
F.S. Rd. 70
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Southern Tree Plantation

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2226 Owltown Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-0601

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Spencer Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1 Pine St.
Commerce, GA 30529
706-335-3236

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Spout Springs Sports Complex

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6603 Spout Springs Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-535-8280

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Stephens County Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Stephens County Park Rd.
Toccoa, GA 30577
706-886-9491

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Stonewall Creek Falls & White Twister Trails

NE GA Mountains
Old 441 S.
Tiger, GA 30576
706-782-4812

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Stonewall Creek Vineyards

Northeast Georgia Mountains
323 Standing Deer Ln.
Tiger, GA 30576
706-212-0584

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Sunny Farms Stables

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1332 Longbranch Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-867-9167

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Sunrise Cove Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5725 Flat Creek Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30504
770-536-8599

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Sunset Ridge Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2320 Middleton Shores Dr.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-988-8091

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