Scenic Drives
Coopers Creek Recreation
Cooper Creek Recreation Area – Adjoining the 1,240 acre Cooper Creek Scenic Area, the Cooper Creek area features hiking trails, camping, picnic areas and beautiful Cooper Creek and its tributaries, stocked with trout. Camping is available at the Cooper Creek Recreation Area and Mulky Campground.
Fort Mountain
Named for a mysterious 855-foot rock wall on top of the mountain, this state park offers 30+ miles of trails, camping, cottages, a lake with swimming beach, boat rentals, mini-golf, horseback riding and picnicking. Located 8 miles east of Chatsworth via Ga.
Lake Conasauga
Managed by the Forest Service, this beautiful recreation area is located within the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area and features the highest lake in Georgia. The area offers camping, fishing, swimming, boating, picknicking and hiking.
Blood Mountain / Walasi-Yi Center
Blood Mountain – Walasi-Yi Center – The Walasi-Yi crossing on Blood Mountain provides hostel services and outfitting to through hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The gift shop features local art and pottery.
Russell / Brasstown Scenic Byway
Offers beautiful views of the Chattahoochee National Forest on this 40-mile drive. See the twin waterfalls at Anna Ruby Falls, climb to the top of Brasstown Bald or picnic at Unicoi State Park. From Blue Ridge, go to Blairsville on Highway 515. In Blairsville, take Hwy 129 south to Hwy 180, which forms a loop with Hwy 75 and 348.
Mocassin Creek
Mocccasin Creek is located on the shores of 2,800-acre Lake Burton. A fishing pier is perched above a trout-filled creek open only to physically challenged visitors, senior citizens and children. Facilities include camping sites, boat dock and ramp, playground and picnic shelter. From Blue Ridge, take Highway 515 through Blairsville, Young Harris and Hiawassee toward Clayton. Turn right on GA Hwy 197 west of Lake Burton.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a scenic byway. It is a spectacular 469 mile route from North Carolina to Virginia through the Great Smoky Mountains. The parkway begins approximately 1 ½ hours from Blue Ridge in Cherokee, N.C. Take Spur 60 to Murphy, N.C., then Hwy 74/19 north through Andrews and Nantahala.
Southern Highroads Trail
The Southern Highroads Trail winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains in four states. Experience the scenic beauty, diversity and rich history found along the way as you travel the 360-mile route. The entire trail takes about three days to complete, and includes the Georgia cities of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Chatsworth, Blairsville, Young Harris, Hiawassee, Clayton, Dillard and Mountain City.
Nantahala Gorge
Enjoy a pretty drive from Murphy, N.C. to the Nantahala Gorge along Highway 75 north. The Gorge is a 8.5 mile stretch beside the nationally known whitewater Nantahala. Developed put-in and take-out spots, picnic tables and viewpoints are along U.S. 19. Private outfitters offer guided whitewater rafting canoeing and kayaking.
Cherohala Skyway
Winding through scenery that rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, providing spectacular mile-high vistas and brilliant fall folliage. 1 ½ to 2 hour drive on the Skyway’s 40 miles.
