Coming Back
After weeks of city and state-mandated closures for the COVID-19 pandemic, things are gradually starting to reopen around the state of Georgia.
Dirt Road to Three Sisters Vineyards in the Georgia Mountains
The governor has relaxed some restrictions while extending others. Key dates and guidelines for the state of Georgia include:
- Shelter in place requirement for elderly and medically fragile is set to expire on June 12, 2020
- Georgia’s public health state of emergency is set to expire on June 12, 2020
- Georgia’s judicial emergency is in effect through June 12, 2020
Some businesses are still under statewide order to remain closed, while others are open with new safety restrictions:
- Currently allowed to open with restrictions
- “Critical infrastructure” businesses
- “Non-critical infrastructure” businesses
- To remain closed through May 31, 2020
- Bars, nightclubs, amusement parks, theaters, and live performance venues
Note that just because the governor has eased guidelines for the state, that some municipalities may have their own safety restrictions and local ordinances in effect.
Georgia Business Guidelines to Reopen After COVID-19 Shutdown
For more resources about Georgia’s statewide COVID-19 guidelines and updates, check the Georgia Department of Public Health.
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Georgia Mountain Parks & Public Areas
The weather is warm and schools are finishing for the year, so people are looking for which parks are open. Please note that although your favorite park may be currently open, there are smaller limits to the maximum number of people allowed to use the park at this time. Parks will stop allowing guests to enter once the park’s maximum capacity is reached.
Georgia State Parks
The state parks in Georgia are OPEN, although social distancing is required, large groups are not permitted, and parks will be closed if they get too crowded. The state still recommends that most people stay local and stay home.
North Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Map
Please choose to explore lesser-known or close-to-home parks and historic sites during this time. Visiting the most well-known state parks is not currently recommended due to the likelihood of larger crowds. Also note that although the state parks are open, the parks have capacity caps in place and state parks will temporarily close to maintain a maximum capacity at their set limit.
It is recommended to check the Facebook pages of these individual North Georgia parks to see their most current status.
- Amicalola Falls State Park (on Facebook at @AmicalolaFallsLodge)
- Black Rock Mountain State Park (on Facebook at @blackrockmtsp)
- Chief Vann House State Park (on Facebook at @friendsofthechiefvannhouse)
- Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site (on Facebook at @DGoldMuseumPark)
- Fort Mountain State Park (on Facebook at @fortmountain)
- Hardman Farm Historic Site (on Facebook at @HardmanFarmStateHistoricSite)
- Moccasin Creek State Park (on Facebook at @Moccasin-Creek-State-Park-454999681897540)
- New Echota Historic Site
- Tallulah Gorge State Park (on Facebook at @Tallulah-Gorge-State-Park-Page-177791296204855)
Georgia Mountains County Parks and Resources
There are a lot of county parks and each locality may have its own local rules. Here are county by county resources to help find specific details for different areas.
- Fannin County
- Lumpkin County COVID-19 closure and alerts
- Rabun County tourism website (no closings updates)
- Towns County (Hiawassee, Young Harris) local COVID-19 updates
- Union County local COVID-19 updates
- White County (Cleveland, Yonah Mountain) has opened its parks / outdoor recreation areas
Other Parks & Public Areas
Most federally operated lands in North Georgia are currently closed including the US Forest Service and National Park Service sites.
- Appalachian Trail
- Brasstown Bald
- Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Area
- Select sites are now open – see list and updates at fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation
- Follow and get updates on Facebook at @ChattOconeeNF
Georgia Mountain Business & Attractions
The unique and amazing small businesses in the North Georgia mountains are starting to reopen with adjusted offerings for increased customer and employee safety.
North Georgia Vineyards
Each Georgia mountain vineyard will have its own policy and timeline for safely reopening. Please contact each vineyard directly if you have any questions about visiting. Here is a partial list of current policies across the Georgia mountain vineyards.
For more information, visit the Vineyards & Wineries in the Georgia Mountains page.
Paradise Hills Resort in Blairsville
- Cabin Rentals: reopens Friday, May 1, 2020 (with no-contact check-ins and outs)
- Tasting Room: reopens Friday, May 8, 2020 (staff will be limiting direct contact with guests and encouraging social distancing)
- Spa: reopens Friday, May 15, 2020 (access to the lounge and sauna during the month of May will be restricted)
- Live Music: returns May 30,2020 on weekends from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega
Frogtown Cellars Bistro Restaurant Reservations from OpenTable.com
- Wine bottle sales (pick up in the tasting room), wine tasting flights (3 x 2oz pours), and restaurant are now open
- Reservations suggested via OpenTable
- Note that there are no wine tastings currently offered (poured flights at the table only)
Stonewall Creek Vineyards in Tiger
- Patio: reopens Friday May 1, 2020
- Wine bottle sales: enjoy your purchased bottles of wine on the patio (plus you may bring your own food)
- Wine tastings, wine by the glass, and food service
- May also purchase wines for $10 flat rate shipping for online orders during May 2020
Serenberry Vineyards & Winery in Blue Ridge
- Wine bottle sales available Thursday – Sunday for pickup from the Tasting Barn (or order anytime online!)
- 5% discount on 6 bottles
- 10% discount on 12 bottles
- Purchased bottles may be enjoyed at the wide-open vineyard space with proper physical distancing
- Wine tasting flights/wines by the glass are not currently available
Wolf Mountain Vineyards in Dahlonega
Wolf Mountain Vineyards Restaurant Reservations from OpenTable
- Café lunch (reservations required): normal hours (12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Thursday – Sunday
- Tastings and wine by the glass/bottle
- Limited reservations as seating is now spaced farther apart – additional seating areas now available in the wedding pavilion for incredible views!
- Buffet service postponed until further notice
Animals & Zoos
North Georgia Zoo is gradually adding hours and services that can accommodate safe distancing for visitors. Visit the “Drive Through Zoo” to see the zoo for free (donations accepted and go to help feed and care for the animals) or book a scheduled class of Yoga with a Kangaroo and Friends.
North Georgia Zoo Drive Through Zoo 2020
You can also directly financially support the animals via North Georgia Zoo’s COVID-19 crisis relief GoFundMe page.
Other Georgia Services
Many different types of services across the state have been affected by the shutdown, and as not quite everything is open yet, it’s best to call to confirm your destination is open before making unnecessary trips.
Georgia Courts
Even though Governor Kemp has lifted many of the COVID-19 restrictions, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia has extended a statewide judicial emergency for the second time, and the statewide judicial emergency is now in effect through June 12 (the same date that the governor’s shelter-in-place recommendation for medically fragile people expires). This means that:
- Suspension of all criminal and civil jury trials through June 12
- Bars courts from summoning and impaneling new trial and grand juries
These suspensions were deemed necessary to enforce the recommended social distancing to protect the health of large groups of people who are typically assembled in response to jury summonses. Chief Justice Melton said he extended the state judicial emergency because, “The courts are different from most private establishments and public places in that we compel people to attend court proceedings, and that requires us to be extra cautious.”
Corales Woody Law Firm Georgia Mountains
If you have legal questions or require legal assistance, call the Corales & Woody law firm at (678) 961-3999 for a free consultation.
Georgia Voting
Georgia residents should note that the current deadline is October 5, 2020 to register to vote in the presidential and general election scheduled for November 3, 2020. It’s a quick process that can be completed online using the form below from vote.org.
Georgia residents may click here to check their registration status, their polling location, print a sample ballot, and register online (or use the easy form below to register).
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For the latest statistics and information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia, visit the website for the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Hey nice article you have there. Thanks for putting efforts to update Georgia resident’s of the present situation of their favorite places that was closed due to Covid 19 . Mheen the feeling of boredom was real and felt by me, I just can’t wait till May 30th to enjoy my live music again at the paradise Hills Resorts, already anticipating
Awesome review, on hearing that such a country as Gorgia is easing it’s lockdown is a good fact that the ravaging pandemic is gradually wearing away just as it come…With the damages and suffering that the ravaging pandemic has brother, I believe it’s time all Nations unite as to find a cure…
thanks for the informative review….
Hi evans, this information (and website) is actually about the STATE of Georgia within the USA.
However, COVID-19 is definitely a global concern and I do hope that the nations of the world can find a way to allocate their resources to help all of us around the world.
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel only if we don’t loose hope an decide to stay inside the dark tunnel, it’s so good to hear know that things are gradually coming back to normal, however this normal is a new normal a it will take alot of people time to really adjust to ho things will begin to operate in the post corona world. But indeed this is goodnews and I likd that Governor Kemp is taking really good measures in fighting this virus and also condering the citizens.
Hello there, Georgia is as beautiful as it name!
It is so painful that the convid-19 pandemic is depriving most of us especially me from exploring! I love to try something new and “Georgia mountain” seems like the place to visit! The view is great and the parks look good. I am looking to the end of this pandemic so I can visit. Thanks
Hello there, thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful piece of information here with us. I must say i really did enjoyed going through your article as it contains useful informations one could hold on to. Though things are starting to go back in place as we are adapting to the situation one must also be very cautious in times like this just to be safe
Your article concerning coming Back To Georgia was a very interesting introduction to enjoying being in Georgia. While travel is still a bit restricted, and mingling too much with crowds discouraged, it is good for the mind to have an article promoting the lovey state and activities available there.
We will all be travelling soon, and doing so safely with the loved ones that have not lost their lives due to our being wise, and observing the restrictions for dealing with the pandemic. It is tough to be a tourist-dependent industry, and hard to be patient when you are losing money every day. I intend to preserve our freedoms of living as safely as possible and not have my freedoms to healthy and safe activities taken away by people who refuse to do their part to keep us all safe. While some are a bit impatient, hopefully, there are enough patient ones to make travel to your state the enjoyable experience it should be. Thank you for the mini-trip in my mind this afternoon. Sami
It is definitely a time to be cautious about when and where to travel within Georgia and elsewhere. Places without large crowds are going to be safer than others, and everyone must be aware of their own risk category and adjust their outside / public activity accordingly.
Hi Alyce
We are also looking forward to things opening up. Although the mountains are always a great place to visit, we particularly like the Appalachians in the fall when the leaves are turning. Your guide certainly provides us with enough information to be able to take in all the sites of Georgia.
Between the maps of Georgia’s vineyards wineries and the maps of the historic sites and parks, we will certainly be able enjoy the scenery of the mountains.
Thanks for the information:
Craig
Hi Craig, The Fall is a wonderful time of year to visit the Georgia mountains, as the Autumn colors on the Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular and the weather is perfect!
Hello dear thanks for sharing such exclusive information with us, I was actually doing some reviews when I saw. I really do fancy these post, thanks a lot for these nice and good quality content, I wished I had seen it sooner, I already saved these post so as to come back for future reference. Thanks for the info I’ll surely do some recommendations.
Thanks so much for saving the article!
Some of the amazing facts I learnt was motivating me to learn more about it. I studied a number of books andlearnt online and was inspired by the role of color and sun rays. Thanks a lot for sharing this awesome article i know it would be of great help to the public it has been of help to me…..Good luck, hope to see more better content.
Hi David, You are most welcome!
Thank you, I am so pleased to see that you have broken down the sites and social media resources concerning National Parks and attractions in Georgia for us, especially amidst the closure of this Covid-19 outbreak. Although at this time, many of us are still inside waiting for this quarantine to pass, you are preparing for when we can visit our parks and recreate with pleasure again.
I would absolutely love to visit the state of Georgia and walk amidst its vineyards and zoos. I have been to Atlanta, but now wish to go back to enjoy the many open parks and sites! A wonderful article, and most informative!
Thanks Jayson. People understandably have different comfort levels with regards to the timing of getting back out. Whether or not we are ready to venture out into the world again, it is certainly something that most of us are really looking forward to!
If I ever get to drive your way, I sure know where to find pertinent information! Your photos show the beauty of Georgia, but I couldn’t see everything because I’m not a Face Booker. Being from the West, I have never been to that part of the country, but love to travel. Your site is very colorful and attractive. I like the maps page for us travelers.
Gold tooth
If I ever get to drive your way, I sure know where to find pertinent information! Your photos show the beauty of Georgia, but I couldn’t see everything because I’m not a Face Booker. Being from the West, I have never been to that part of the country, but love to travel. Your site is very colorful and attractive. I like the maps page for us travelers.
Gold tooth
Hi Gold tooth, I hope you are able to visit the area one day to experience the natural beauty and relaxed pace in person!
Wow what perfect timing for your article!
I also live in Georgia and with the 3 day weekend coming up thanks to Memorial Day, I was looking for places to go.
I found it very useful that you had all the major places and parks right here in your article to look at and see which ones were and were not open.
I’ll probably head to the mountains for sure this weekend.
Thanks again.
Also by the way, what place do you plan on visiting soon ?
Hi Michael, Sounds like a plan.
My next venture out is likely to be to pick up my wine club member selections in the Dahlonega area from Frogtown Winery and Wolf Mountain Vineyards. I highly recommend the bold red wines (so many fantastic choices!) at Frogtown and the sparkling white wines (made by méthode champenoise) at Wolf Mountain.
It’s so refreshing to read the news that some nature parks, sights are opening in GA after a long lockdown. With the weather warming up, nothing sounds better than getting some fresh air in nature!
Parks, zoos, and vineyards, there are something for everyone. I will be coming back to this site next time when I plan to visit Georgia.
Thanks for the information and the reminder on key voting dates =)
Thank you Chloe, The Georgia mountains are a wonderful place to visit (or live) and the local people and businesses will greatly appreciate the support when things are open again.