North Georgia Mountains & Waterfalls, Atlanta

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Using Blue Sky Cabin Rentals (blueskycabinrentals.com) we snagged a last minute getaway to Ellijay and "The Cabin on the Pond", a one bedroom with 2 twin beds in the loft and a queen in the master, one bath, with electric/gas fireplace and huge hot tub on the porch overlooking the pond. Way back in the hills away from all traffic noise, situated in The Villas of Coosawattie
subdivision right outside of East Ellijay. Definitely recommended for a one/two night stay from the Atlanta area, it took us just over an hour to get to the office to pick up the gate pass. Cost was $220 for one night including taxes, fees and $60 cleaning fee.
It was clean and had all the kitchen stuff we needed for dinner and breakfast.
Could not get the dvd player to work so we just got back in the hot tub.

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Springer Mountain is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and it is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The peak is 3,280 feet and just 1/2 mile from a parking area along a national forest service road. At the peak is a bronze plaque and a register for hikers to sign when they visit.

Also in this area is Dawsonville, home of former NASCAR driver Bill Elliot.

Dawsonville is about 60 miles north of Atlanta on Hwy 400/19. Springer Mountain is accessible from Amicalola Falls State Park (from Dawsonville take Rt 53 to 183 to 52 -- about 15 miles to the north)

If you have time for a day trip, drive up to Amicalola Falls State Park, & enjoy the scenery. You can find some delicious fruit or boiled peanuts along the roadside, and the park is beautiful.

If you decide to go further northeast, you can see Unicoi State Park or Tallulah Gorge, also a State Park.

Amicalola Falls has a lodge, campsites & cottages in the park if you want to stay a few days. It also leads to the Chattahooche National Forest & the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Tallulah Gorge has campsites. Unicoi has lodges, campsites & cottages. There are several other parks with accomodations all over N. Georgia, see: http://www.gastateparks.org/map

A fall destination for apples, ciders, sweet potatos, and other veggies along with pie pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns...sometimes boiled peanuts and fried pig skins as well....
When visiting Ellijay or Jasper visit this place-----

North Georgia Mountain cabins for rent from 4-13 people---
some pet friendly, some with jacuzzis, most with nice porches with mountain views, check out the website for specials---fall colors are late september to late october----you can also enjoy the apple festival early October in Ellijay and along Hiway 52
TLC cabins makes a great place for a home base for Ellijay, Lake Blue Ridge, Morganton (Blue Ridge Dam) and more North Georgia sites.

Poole's BBQ is in East Ellijay in North Georgia up I-575 from Atlanta, and one of the better BBQ places up there. The pork sandwich comes in 2 sizes and the sauce is delicious and thick! They also have brisket (MMMMM!), beef and chicken, and ribs. The sides (BBQ beans, slaw, pot. salad, fries, rings, corn, and more) are good as well--there is inside and outside seating, and on the hill in the back is a pig-lovers dream. For dessert you can get an apple or a peach pie fresh made. You can pay $10 and have a pig sign put up with the rest with your name or a tribute for someone else. It is a hoot to visit here---Colonel Poole is sometimes there, but usually just the rest of the family. You should definitely stop here on your way up to Lake Blue Ridge area....

There is a place near Brasstown Bald Mountain that I have been going to since I was a teenager that has a set of 3 magnificent waterfalls and a few neat places to camp nearby called Trey Mountain, also called Blue Hole after one of the falls. Blue Hole is the top falls in the series and has a really cool small cave behind the falls with a rock seat, so you can look through the falls from behind! The small pool is about 6 feet deep and very cold, but also very refreshing in the heat of the summer. The second fall is large with a huge tree fallen into it, which you can sort of clamber up a ways, and I have seen folk jump from the top into the big pool below. The bottom fall is more photogenic, with less pitch, and easy to climb up to places to sit in the spray.
The way in is close to the entrance to Brasstown Bald Mountain. The entrance to BB is on the left coming from the Helen area, and the gravel road to the right (a little before BB entrance) goes up Trey Mountain until you get to the car parking area at the top. Then you walk back down for a bit, switching back and forth til you reach the bottom glade, which is really beautiful in Spring and Summer. You pass the camping areas and start going down a bit more until you see the left side trails going down to each fall.
There is a small creek that you have to cross in your car, but I have never had a problem crossing in any of my cars over the years---just don't try it in a sports car low to the ground!

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Many Atlanta people take a ride up to the hills, especially in spring and fall. Helen holds the Octoberfest event, and the fall also has wine tasting in the areas. The town is for tourists and much shopping for cheap junk items. Obviously made in China. The element has changed some over the years and now the motorbike crowd likes it here. That draws tattoos and piercings in areas on the body. Surrounding Helen, though are still some nice adventuresome events. CAnoeing, biking, hiking, fishing, and balloon riding are a few, as well as golf.
Helen used to be a town with commerce of gold and timber. They died out in early 1900's. Around 1930, the town decided to rework the facade of buildings, and draw tourists. It worked.

an hour drive from atlanta u can see trhe tallulah gorge and falls- really nice place - there r some view points really near the visitor's center and also you can take the strais down to see the falls from closer

some weekends a year they open the dam and then its probebly even more beautifull

Amacilola Falls an easy 1 to 1 and half hour trip north of Atlanta. Many photo ops and fantastic trails to hike. Only $2 to enter the park. Take 400 out of Atlanta which turns into 19 then watch for 53 to Jasper and follow the signs.