Recreation

State Parks | Hiking Trails | Fishing | Biking
Other Lumpkin County Points of Interest

STATE PARKS

Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola. Tumbling Water. High atop a mountain in north central Georgia a river forms, flowing to a precipitous drop at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains.

Black Rock Mountain State Park
On the Eastern Continental Divide and Georgia's highest state park, it has excellent hiking trails and is known as the park where spring spends summer. Have you been welcomed yet?

Chief Vann House State Historic Site
Georgia's Chief Vann House, home of the mixed race Vann, a Cherokee, one of the wealthiest men in the Western Hemisphere at the turn of the century.

Cloudland Canyon State Park
The depths of a gorge in Northwest Georgia form one of the most hauntingly beautiful state parks, Cloudland Canyon.

Dahlonega Gold Museum, Dahlonega, Georgia
The Gold Rush brought thousands of men to Dahlonega and north Georgia in a short period of time. This former courthouse was a center for the miners because it contained the assayor's office.

Etowah Mounds Archaeological Area - Home of the Moundbuilders
One of the oldest inhabited areas (moundbuilders) in both the state of Georgia and the Eastern United States, Etowah Mounds have been a popular tourist stop since deSoto visited in 1540.

Fort Mountain State Park, Georgia
How did the wall at Fort Mountain get built? This puzzle has intrigued men since it's discovery. A Georgia State Park near Chatsworth.

James "Sloppy" Floyd State Park
Small, picturesque park with some of the best fishing, but only small boats are allowed.

Moccasin Creek State Park
Nestled on the quiet shores of Lake Burton, Moccasin Creek offers camping, fishing, and hiking to some of the finest falls in the mountains of north Georgia. The canoeing is superb.

New Echota State Historic Site
Site of the first capital of the Cherokee Nation, New Echota State Park now houses one of the finest collections of original homes in the nation from the time period.

Pickett's Mill State Historic Site
William Tecumseh Sherman moves south from Kingston during the Atlanta Campaign and runs headlong into Patrick Cleburne in the Hell Hole.

Red Top Mountain State Park
Georgia's most popular park is located on I-75 near Lake Allatoona. It's hiking and water fun combine to draw thousands of visitors weekly and includes a dock, marina and lodge.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Area
Located near Helen, Smithgall Woods represents the efforts of Gainesville media magnate Charles Smithgall to preserve the north Georgia Mountains.

Sweetwater State Park
On Sweetwater Creek before the Civil War one of the largest mill towns in Georgia rose, with a post office, inn and tavern and more than 400 people. All that remains are ruins of the mill.

Tallulah Gorge State Park
A North Georgia attraction since 1819, Tallulah Gorge was the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast from the 1880's until 1912 when Georgia Power built a dam to the north.

Travelers Rest State Park
At the start of the Unicoi Turnpike, you can stay in a vintage 1800's house and enjoy some of the early history of Georgia.

Unicoi State Park
One of Georgia's most popular state parks, near the alpine village of Helen and spectacular Anna Ruby Falls, this Lodge offers modern comfort along the Unicoi Turnpike, one of the earliest roads in North Georgia.

Vogel State Park
Second oldest of Georgia's State Parks, Vogel is in one of the best hiking, backpacking and camping areas in the United States.

Watson Mill State Park
Georgia's longest remaining covered bridge, located in Comer. Park includes camping, hiking, mountain biking and enjoying the river.

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HIKING TRAILS

Andrews Cove - (706) 754-6221
Directions: Take Georgia 75 north from Helen for approximately 5.5 miles. The Andrews Cove Trail follows an old logging road parallel to Andrews Creek. This trail is 2 miles long and provides access to the Appalachian Trail and Forest Service Road 283 at Indian Grave Gap.

Frank Gross Campground - (706) 632-3031
Directions: From Blue Ridge, take Hwy. 76 east for 5 miles to Morganton; turn right on Hwy. 60 south for 15 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 69 for 5 miles.
Hikers can enjoy the Appalachian Trail nearby and it can be accessed easily from Forest Service Road 69. Another beautiful hike is along the Benton MacKaye Trail to the north of Frank Gross; this trail crosses the Toccoa River on a suspension bridge that is 260 feet long.

Lake Chatuge Campground - (706)745-6928
Directions: Take U.S. 76 northwest from Hiawassee for 2 miles; turn left (south) on Georgia 288 for 1 mile.
Hikers can enjoy the 1.2-mile Lake Chatuge trail around the pine-covered peninsula.

Lake Russell Campground - (706) 754-6221
Directions: Take GA 365/U.S. 23 North from Gainesville past Cornelia to Hwy 197. Turn right for approximately 3 miles until dead-end. Right on Dicks Hill Parkway for approximately 3/4 mile. Turn left onto the paved Lake Russell Road.
Hikers can enjoy a variety of trails in the area; the Lake Russell Trail originates at the recreation area, and the Ladyslipper Trail and the Sourwood Trail originate at the group camp entrance.

Mulky Campground - (706) 632-3031
Directions: From Blue Ridge, take Hwy. 76 east for 5 miles to Morganton; turn right on Hwy. 60 south for 16 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 4 for 5 miles.
Hikers can enjoy the Yellow Mountain Trail, which follows an old logging road for 3.6 miles through forests of hemlock, pine and hardwood. Other hiking trails that originate nearby include the 2.4-mile Mill Shoals Trail, and the Cooper Creek Trail, which is a 0.4-mile connecting trail.

Rabun Beach Campground -
Hikers can enjoy the 1.3-mile Rabun Beach Trail, which ends at Angel Falls.

Tallulah River Campground - (706) 782-3320
Directions: Take U.S. 76 west from Clayton for 8 miles; turn right (north) on unnumbered paved county road for 4 miles; turn left (northwest) on Forest Service Road 70 for 1 mile.
Hiking through nearby Coleman River Scenic Area is popular. The Coleman River Trail parallels the river for 1 mile through stands of large old-growth timber.

Chattahoochee River Campground - (706)754-6221
Directions: Take Georgia 75 north from Helen for approx. 8 miles. Just beyond mile marker 15 turn left onto the graveled Chattahoochee River Road and follow for 5 miles.
The Appalachian Trail is nearby, as well as Horse Trough Falls and the Mark Trail Wilderness Area.

DeSoto Falls Campground - (706) 745-6928
Directions: Take U.S. 129 north from Cleveland for 15 miles, or Hwy. 19 north from Dahlonega for about 18 miles.
Hiking along the 2-mile Desoto Falls Trail is a popular activity among visitors. The first mile of the trail is fairly easy and leads to two waterfalls. The last mile of the trail is considerably more difficult and strenuous.

Lake Winfield Scott Campground - (706)745-6928
Directions: Take U.S. 19 and 129 south from Blairsville for 10 miles; turn right (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles.
Hikers can enjoy numerous trails near this area, including the Lake Winfield Scott Trail, the Jarrard Gap Trail, the Slaughter Creek Trail, and the Appalachian Trail.

Oconee River Campground - (706) 485-7110
Directions: Take Georgia 15 northwest from Greensboro for 12 miles; area is adjacent to highway.
Hikers can enjoy the Scull Shoals Trail, which is 1 mile and originates at this area.

Lake Sinclair Beach Campground - (706) 485-7110
Directions: Take U.S. 129 south from Eatonton for 10 miles; turn left (east) on Georgia 212 for 1 mile; then left on Twin Bridges Road for 1 mile; follow signs to the area on left.
Hikers can enjoy the Twin Bridges Trail, which is 1.8 miles and originates at this area.

Tate Branch Campground - (706) 782-3320
Directions: Take U.S. 76 west from Clayton for 8 miles; turn right (north) on unnumbered paved county road for 4 miles; turn left (northwest) on Forest Service Road 70 for 4 miles.
Hiking through nearby Coleman River Scenic Area is popular. The Coleman River Trail parallels the river for 1 mile through stands of large old-growth timber.

Waters Creek Campground - (706) 745-6928
Directions: Take U.S. 19 north from Dahlonega for 12 miles; turn left on Forest Service road for 1 mile.
The National Scenic Appalachian Trail may be accessed from Lake Winfield Scott.

Cooper Creek Campground - (706) 632-3031
Directions: From Blue Ridge, take Hwy. 76 east for 5 miles to Morganton; turn right on Hwy. 60 south for 16 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 4 for 6 miles.
Hikers can enjoy the Yellow Mountain Trail, which follows an old logging road for 3.6 miles through forests of hemlock, pine and hardwood. Other hiking trails that start at this recreation area include the 2.4-mile Mill Shoals Trail, and the Cooper Creek Trail, which is a 0.4-mile connecting trail.

Dockery Lake Campground - (706) 745-6928
Directions: Take Georgia 60 north from Dahlonega for 12 miles, turn right (east) on Forest Service Road 654 for 1 mile.
Hikers can enjoy the 3.4-mile Dockery Lake Trail, which provides access to the Appalachian Trail.

Lake Blue Ridge Campground - Phone: (706) 632-3031
Directions: From Blue Ridge, take old U.S. 76 east for 1.5 miles to Dry Branch Road. Turn right, go 3 miles to entrance sign.
Hikers can enjoy a 0.6-mile loop trail that follows the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge and offers a beautiful view of the lake.

Lake Conasauga Campground - (706) 695-6736
Directions: Take U.S. 411 north from Chatsworth for 4 miles; turn right (east) at traffic light in Eton; Follow Forest Service Road 18 east for 10 miles; turn left (northeast) on Forest Service Road 68 for 10 miles.
Hikers can enjoy the 1.2-mile Lake Conasauga Trail, the 1.7-mile Songbird Trail or the Grassy Mountain Tower Trail (2 miles).

Morganton Point Campground - (706) 632-3031
Directions: Take U.S. 515 south from Blue Ridge for 4 miles to GA 60; turn right (southwest) and go 3 miles to Morganton. In Morganton, turn right on County Road 616 for 1 mile.
Hikers can enjoy a scenic trail that parallels the lake shore.

The Pocket Campground - (706) 695-6736
Directions: Take Georgia 136 east from LaFayette for 13.5 miles; 0.5 mile east of Villa, now turn right (south) on county road (Pocket Road) for 7 miles.
Hikers can enjoy the 2.5-mile Pocket Loop Trail, which originates at the camp area, or the 0.5-mile Pocket Nature Trail, which originates at the parking area.

Sandy Bottom Campground - (706) 782-3320
Directions: Take U.S. 76 west from Clayton for 8 miles; turn right (north) on unnumbered paved county road for 4 miles; turn left (northwest) on Forest Service Road 70 for 5 miles.
Hiking through nearby Coleman River Scenic Area is popular. The Coleman River Trail parallels the river for 1 mile through stands of large old-growth timber.

Willis Knob Campground - (706) 782-3320
Directions: From Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road for 11.6 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 157, camping area is about 2 miles on the left.
Hiking and horseback riding along the 12.5-mile Rocky Gap Trail and the 15-mile Willis Knob Trail is popular among visitors. Trails nearby open to hiking only are the 10.7-mile Chattooga River Trail and the 37-mile Bartram Trail.

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FISHING

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge - 240 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534 - (706) 265-4703
979 acres. Trout fishing stream.

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BIKING

Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville
Description: 16 miles of singletrack that loops. Good for intermediate level. Extremely easy to get lost so get a map.
Directions: From Dahlonega, take GA 9 to GA 52. Go about 10 miles. Park entrance is on the right. Continue through park following signs for "cabins" up the mountain. Note - this road is very steep. Go past the cabins and get on High Shoals Rd (gravel). Follow this rough road to the fork - take the right fork towards High Shoals Baptist Church. Park at the church and begin by riding down the road.
Contact: 240 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534 - (706) 265-4703

Bear Creek in Ellijay
Description: 10 miles of mainly singletrack loop trail for intermediate to advanced riders. Some doubletrack also. Great downhills and Whoop-de-doos. 2 mile dual track lead in to 4 mile single track loop with cross trails. Very popular trail.
Directions: From Atlanta take I-75 N to I-575 N toward Ellijay. I-575 turns GA 5 (US 76) and leads to E. Ellijay. Turn left at the second light in E. Ellijay (past the Ingles and McDonald's) and cross the railroad tracks. Turn left onto GA 52 West. Around mile marker 8, turn right onto Gates Chapel Rd. After 5.4 miles, turn right onto FS 90. Go 1.7 miles and turn right on FS 68. Two miles to trailhead parking area (on the right).

Bull Mountain Multi-User Trail in Dahlonega
Suitable for hiking, bicycles and horses
Description: This trail features a 4-mile single-track experience with 11 additional miles of lightly traveled dirt and gravel Forest Service roads to complete the loop. Elevations range from 1700 to 2500 feet. The single-track trail is shared by mountain bicycles and horses.
Contact: Toccoa Ranger District, Blue Ridge, GA - 706-632-3031
Directions: Take GA 52 west from Dahlonega for 8.5 miles to Grizzle store. Turn right onto Nimblewill Road and continue for 2 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 28-I and follow signs for the Bull Mountain parking area on Forest Service Road 83.

Chicopee Woods Trail System in Gainesville
Suitable for mountain bicycles.
Description: 10 miles of 80% singletrack and 20% doubletrack trails. A well maintained (by SORBA) example of what makes mountain biking so much fun. Lots of great twisty rolling wooded single track with a few water crossings and some easy riding sections. A great workout at the center on Zig Zag trail or a more easy Outer Loop.
Contact: (770) 297-8319 - Call first for times, fees and directions
Directions: Go North on 985 to exit 16. Follow signs to Elachee Nature Center.

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OTHER LUMPKIN COUNTY POINTS OF INTEREST

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