Blue Ridge, GA
Only 90 miles north of Atlanta via I-575 on the Georgia-Tennessee-North Carolina line. With 106,000 acres of Chattahoochee National Forest, 300 miles of hiking trails and 100 miles of trout streams, Blue Ridge is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or family vacation. Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, following the Toccoa River to the town of McCaysville. Sample craft breweries, wineries, surprisingly upscale shops, galleries and restaurants. Hike to one of many local waterfalls on the Appalachian Trail, tube or kayak the Toccoa or go whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River.
Vacation Year Round
Winter, summer, spring and fall, Georgia’s Blue Ridge is a beautiful place for fun across all four seasons. In winter guests will find peace and quiet with occasional snow and unlimited views of nature. For those interested in fishing, the spring season is for you! Wildflowers can be seen scattered throughout the beautiful landscape and blooming dogwoods and native azaleas fill the air. Summer continues delivering beautiful colors as mountain laurel and rhododendron blossom. For those water enthusiasts, the warmer water is perfect for tubing & rafting.
Things to Do and See
Local fare is a fun part of the Blue Ridge experience, and the five local breweries and two wineries make for a fun trip of discovery and good vibes.
For those interested in the arts, Blue Ridge is know for its galleries, live music and exceptional community theater.
If you are looking for a fun family adventure, take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and travel along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. You and your family can board the train at the historic depot in Blue Ridge. Great views can be seen and change dramatically with the seasons. For those interested in coming during the holidays, special trips can be had like the Firecracker Special and the Santa Express trips. Open mid March through December.
A hikers paradise, Blue Ridge is home to some of the best hiking trails in the United States. Two of the greatest outdoor adventures in the world begin in Fannin County as both the Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trails start at the top of Springer Mountain. Hikers can enjoy over 300 miles of hiking trails in the area, including short trails suitable for beginning hikers and families. There are 16 waterfalls within a short drive of Blue Ridge.
We love our water sports in the summer, and Blue Ridge provides some of the best in the summer. The beautiful Toccoa River provides opportunities for kayaking and tubing above the Lake Blue Ridge dam on Aska Road or below in McCaysville. Other great water activities available on the rivers, streams and lakes, including rafting, canoeing, pontooning and paddle boarding.
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy Old Toccoa Farm, Blue Ridge’s Bunker Hill. This course is a par 72 that winds through 125 acres of ridges and meadows, featuring over 280 feet of elevation change with spectacular views of the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests and surrounding valleys.
Festivals are a staple in Georgia’s mountain towns. In the fall you can enjoy the Marble Festival in Jasper, Bear on the Square in Dahlonega, the Apple Festival in Ellijay and Sorghum Festival in Blairsville, just to name a few.
Kids love adventures. Some other fun activities include gem mining or geocaching for treasures, searching for Big Foot, or going apple picking at Mercier Orchards. If you love a birds eye view, take a scenic helicopter tour of Blue Ridge and The Copper Basin.
The possibilities are truly endless, and the outdoors are calling.
