Explore Natural Beauty in the Georgia Mountains
Take advantage of the natural landscape by visiting lakes, rivers, and parks to enjoy the mountains all year round!
Natural beauty in North Georgia mountains
These amazing places are a big part of what makes the North Georgia mountains so special. Visit these icons that are well known around the world.
North Georgia’s Forests
Enjoy a forest bath in one of the beautiful spaces in north Georgia or the nearby Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

View from Georgia’s highest peak at Brasstown Bald [photo ExploreGeorgia]
North Georgia’s World Famous Hiking Trails
Appalachian Trail

Be ready for the weather on the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia
One of the longest trails in the world, this great hike challenges hundreds of hikers on hour-long, day-long, week-long, or a season-long trek!
Benton MacKaye Trail
This BMT is well known among hiking enthusiasts and traverses 80+ miles in Georgia and 200+ miles in Tennessee and North Carolina. This trail is the longest in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and boasts glorious ridgeline views and countless crossings of mountain streams.
North Georgia State Parks
Visiting the Georgia state parks requires a Georgia State Park ParkPass (Single Visit $5 / Annual $50). Georgia residents can check with their local library for loaner ParkPasses that can be checked out like books.
Amicalola Falls State Park

Majestic Amicalola Falls in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Ask about the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program to borrow rods, reels, and tackle box equipment for a day of fishing.
This wedding venue can accommodate from 10 guests to 150 guests and offers a handful of different park locations!
- Phone: +1 (706) 344-1500
- Address: 418 Amicalola Falls Road, Dawsonville, GA
Black Rock Mountain State Park
Visit the 1,743-acre Black Rock Mountain State Park and enjoy the 17-acre lake along with cottages, campsites, and picnic shelters. Hike along 11 miles of trails or enjoy fishing, geocaching, paddling, photography, and picnicking.
- Phone: +1 (706) 746-2141
- Address: 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, GA
Fort Mountain State Park

Beautiful views at Fort Mountain State Park in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Additional activities include biking, fishing, geocaching, horseback riding, mini-golf, and rentals of Jon boats, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, aquacycles, and pedal boats.
- Phone: +1 (706) 422-1932
- Address: 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth, GA
Moccasin Creek State Park
Rent a Lakehouse on Lake Burton for your trip or find other ways to enjoy boating, camping, geocaching, a few miles of hiking trails, and rentals of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Test your fishing skills against the spotted bass, largemouth bass, and brown trout in Lake Burton. Ask about the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program to borrow rods, reels, and tackle box equipment for a day of fishing.
- Phone: +1 (706) 947-3194
- Address: 3655 Highway 197, Clarkesville, GA
Smithgall Woods State Park
Smithgall Woods State Park sits on over 5,000 acres and includes cottages, campgrounds, picnic shelters, and a visitor center with a gift shop. There is plenty to do and see including archery, biking, birdwatching, guided hikes, geocaching, and hunting. Weddings allowed with advance park approval.
Be sure to visit Dukes Creek Falls at 1699 Richard Russell Hwy in Helen too!
- Park: +1 (706) 878-3087
- Address: 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA
Tallulah Gorge State Park

Suspension Bridge at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Pets are not allowed on the gorge floor, sliding rock trail, or on the Hurricane Falls staircase to the suspension bridge. Leashed pets are welcome on rim trails.
Watch kayakers test their skills against the whitewater releases in November 2021 (Tallulah Gorge is the only state park to feature whitewater kayaking).
- Park: +1 (706) 754-7981
- Address: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, GA
Unicoi State Park
Enjoy the natural mountain setting at the 1,000+ acre Unicoi State Park. Enjoy the refreshing water at the 53-acre Unicoi Lake, where you can swim at the beach or rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal boats from Fridays – Sundays (seasonal). Lots of unique activities like archery, air guns, axe throwing, flyfishing classes, and orienteering where you’ll learn to navigate through the woods with a compass and a map. Sign up for the Aerial Adventure and enjoy 19 zip lines and 9 suspension bridges! Ask about the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program to borrow rods, reels, and tackle box equipment for a day of fishing.
Celebrate annual events like the Polar Bear Plunge or the Fall Festival on the last weekend in October with hayrides, campfires, crafts, and a campground trunk-or-treat.
Pet-friendly park when pets are on a short, sturdy leash.
Visit the nearby waterfalls of Raven Cliff Falls, High Shoals Falls, and Anna Ruby Falls.
- Phone: +1 (800) 573-9659
- Address: 1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA
Vogel State Park

Boating at Vogel State Park in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
Visit the nearby waterfalls of Wolf Creek Falls, Helton Creek Falls, and Desoto Falls.
Weddings are allowed with park approval.
- Park: +1 (706) 745-2628
- Address: 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA
Gardens in the Georgia Mountains
Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens at Lake Chatuge
This local garden is open year-round and offers seasonal views of native plants and trees. The 20+ acre woodland garden is the largest collection of rhododendrons in the southeast – over 1,500 rhododendrons and azaleas! Bloom season begins in early April and continues well into May. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis (available under the Paris Pavilion). Open daily from 8:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. and only $5 / person or $10 / family. No pets or tobacco allowed.
- Phone: +1 (706) 970-0011
- Address: 96 Pavilion Road, Hiawassee, GA
- Website: hamiltongardens.org
- Facebook: @HamiltonGardensatLakeChatuge
Popular North Georgia Lakes
There are beautiful lakes to enjoy in the North Georgia mountains including larger lakes like Lake Blue Ridge, Lake Nottely, and Lake Chatuge, and quieter lakes like Lake Burton and Lake Rabun. A few of the lakes are “working lakes” and have a major drawdown of water in the winter.
These North Georgia mountain lakes are summertime favorites and offer a beautiful space to enjoy both the water and the mountain views. Stick to the simple joys of fishing, swimming, or boating, or try one of the more unique activities like flyboarding or riding a seaplane. Rent a boat for a fun excursion on the water or rent a cabin WITH a boat for a vacation full of fun on the lake!
Blue Ridge Lake

Paddleboarding on Blue Ridge Lake in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
- Winter drawdown – water levels drop approx 22 feet from Summer to Winter
Lake Burton
The glamorous 2,775 acre Lake Burton has 62 miles of shoreline and is bordered on its West side by Moccasin Creek State Park.
- Marinas include Anchorage Boat Dock and LaPrade’s Marina
- Family Fishing Pond (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) on Moccasin Creek (next to Lake Burton)
- Visit Jones Bridge Park on the Northside of the lake for great views (no lake access)
Chatuge Lake

Fall colors on Lake Chatuge in North Georgia [photo ExploreGeorgia]
- Public boat ramps available
- Free admission to Towns County Beach with swimming beach
Lake Nottely
- Winter drawdown – water levels drop approx 20 feet from Summer to Winter
Lake Rabun

Boat on Lake Rabun GA at Sunset [photo ExploreGeorgia]
- Drawdown once every 3 years – November and December 2020 lake levels will be lowered
North Georgia Rivers
Simply take in the natural beauty or choose a favorite sport to enjoy your time on North Georgia’s rivers.
Fishing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, and Tubing or Floating
- Chattahoochee River
- Chattooga River
- Nantahala River
- Nottely River
- Toccoa River
- Tallulah River
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Check out these articles for more ways to enjoy North Georgia:
Looking at the images you shared, I’m already astonished by the natural beauty. If I’m there, what else can I say? I can sit by the lake the whole day. I may not be the adventurous type of person going whitewater kayaking, paddleboarding seemed more relaxing. Thanks for recommending these places. Absolutely amazing.
Hi Sharon, I like that there are fun activities outside for both athletic novices and sporting experts. Paddleboarding is definitely a fun way to enjoy a nice day on the water!
I’m not a hiking person but I do it once in a while as something different to add on to my activities. This article is helpful for hikers hopefully one day I’ll be able to visit the United states of America and look into hiking all those beautiful breathtaking places you have mentioned on your article. Definitely getting this on to my bucket list.
Some of these trails, like the 2,000+ mile Appalachian Trail, are definitely for “hiking people”. Fortunately, there are lots of other great ways to enjoy nature without having to go too deep into the woods. I’m glad to hear you found something that looks fun enough to add to your bucket list!
Wow! Georga seems to be a dream place to go. I have been to different places in the US but have never been to Georgia. I heard many nice things and met some people from Georga though. Look at this variety of parks and lakes. I am amazed! And 6 rivers! Wow! Thank you for this guide, Georga is marked on my travel list!
Hi Sunny, The entire state of Georgia has a variety of great things to offer, but I’m definitely partial to the scenic natural beauty of the blue ridge mountains in North Georgia. I hope you are able to visit soon!