Fannin County

Fannin County, founded in 1854, was named for Col. James Walker Fannin, who fought and died for the independence of Texas .  Prior to that time the area was home to the Cherokee Indians. This picturesque county is situated in North Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and contains protected forest land of the Chattahoochee National Forest , the Cohutta Wilderness Area, the Rich Mountain area, the Toccoa River and Lake Blue Ridge . It is an outdoorsman s paradise for camping, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, boating and waterskiing!  Fannin County is an easy drive from Atlanta and Chattanooga .  There are also two nearby county airports, one in Polk County , TN (Copperhill), and the second in Union County , GA (Blairsville) both with paved runways to accommodate small planes and helicopters.

Places to Visit

Historic Downtown Blue Ridge , GA

The town of Blue Ridge was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters and was easily reached by train.  Today, Blue Ridge 's Main Street is lined with historic buildings and churches, shops, galleries, and dining. At the center of town is a City Park , along with the historic Train Depot, now home of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Strolling the streets of quaint downtown Blue Ridge is like stepping directly into a Norman Rockwell painting!  The historic Fannin County Courthouse is now the home of the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, where local artists works are exhibited and sold.  Hampton Square is the home of the Blue Ridge Community Theater, where you can enjoy live productions of contemporary and classical theater.  Just up the street is the Swan Drive-In, one of four drive-in theaters still operating in Georgia and showing first-run movies.

McCaysville , GA - Copperhill TN

The train stops here! These twin cities are situated on the Georgia-Tennessee state line. You can actually stand with a foot in each state as you straddle the blue-dashed line that marks the state boundaries!  Once a booming copper mining community, the McCaysville/Copperhill area offers a quaint downtown area; Toccoa Avenue (Georgia) turns into Ocoee Street (Tennessee ), while the Toccoa River flowing north from Georgia becomes the Ocoee River in Tennessee . Shop for antiques and local crafts along the river banks and have lunch or dinner at a variety of eating places.  There are also several river tubing/kayaking companies in the downtown area that can provide you a fun afternoon s float on the river.   Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park, situated on the banks of the Toccoa River, offers fishing, picnicking and playgrounds, and hosts Pickin in the Park, where local acoustic musicians gather and jam every Thursday evening till dusk during the summer months.

Morganton , GA

Older than Blue Ridge and originally the county seat of Fannin County , this little town is situated on the Northeast side of Lake Blue Ridge .  Morganton Point Recreation Area offers lakeside camping, public swimming, picnicking and boating.

Mercier Apple House and Orchards  http://www.mercier-orchards.com

GA Highway 5, Blue Ridge . One of the largest apple orchards in the Southeast, Mercier's offers more than 30 varieties of apples, jellies, fried pies and baked goods, apple cider, farm-grown vegetables and fruits, specialty cheeses and smoked meats, gourmet oils and vinegars, candies, ice cream, custom gift baskets, great quick lunches and gourmet coffee. (706)632-2364.

Lake Blue Ridge Marina   http://www.lakeblueridgemarina.com

At this full service marina you can rent jet skis or a pontoon boat, launch your own water craft, grab a quick lunch from the snack shop/grill, gas up and grab supplies for an outing on the lake, or browse the showroom and pick out your favorite water craft.  The annual July 4^th fireworks display is held at the marina.

Sugar Creek Raceway    http://www.sugarcreekracing.com/index.htm

Late-model stock car racing every Friday night, April through September
(706) 632-9083

Fannin County Visitors Center/Chamber of Commerce
Highway 515 behind United Community Bank and Burger King
(706) 632-5680

Fannin County Heritage Museum
Historic Baugh House (built in 1890)
411 West First Street
Blue Ridge , GA
(706) 258-2645

Ocoee Whitewater Center, Tennessee   http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ocoee

Just a short drive from Copperhill , TN is the site of the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom competitions.  The OWC offers water play in the Ocoee River , hiking, biking, nature-oriented gift shop, environmental education programs.  The Center boasts of a 30-mile hiking/biking trail system, and has earned the reputation as one of the premier mountain biking trail systems in the Southeast for both leisurely rides on a level double-track trail or a high-speed race down a single-track trail.

Gilmer County

The land surrounding Gilmer County is thought to have been traveled by the Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto in his search for gold in the early 1500 s.  The Cherokee Indians were the first known settlers of the area. Situated in North Georgia in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains , the area offers breathtaking mountain panoramas and rushing rivers. It encompasses portions of the Chattahoochee National Forest , the Rich Mountain Area, and the Cohutta Wilderness Area.  Visitors to the area enjoy camping, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, golfing, boating and waterskiing!  Gilmer County is easily accessed from Atlanta via I-575.  There is also a small county airport with a paved runway to accommodate small planes and helicopters.

Places to Visit

Historic Downtown Ellijay , GA

The Apple Capital of Georgia - The name Ellijay, means "New Ground Place " - a place which has been newly prepared for planting. Today the town of Ellijay , just 80 miles north of Atlanta , bustles with historic buildings, shops, galleries, and dining.  The downtown area radiates from a round in the historic area, with several major state routes leading out in all directions from this central location.  The River Park recreation complex on the banks of the Coosawattee River offers picnic areas, tennis courts, and a walking trail. The Gilmer Arts & Heritage Association (GAHA) offers a variety of art exhibits and musical performances by nationally acclaimed artists throughout the year.

Whitepath Golf Course and Mountain Retreat  http://www.whitepathgolfclub.com

Completed in 1987, the 18-hole Whitepath Golf Course offers breathtaking scenery. With a trout stream and four lakes abundant wildlife can be observed throughout the course. Course designed by Rocky Roquemore.

The Whitepath Mountain Retreat offers spacious 2-bedroom villas and a conference facility.  This mountain lodge is a perfect getaway for groups or individuals.

Whitepath Golf Course
1156 Shenandoah Drive Ellijay , Georgia 30540
Tee times: 706-276-3080

Fort Mountain State Park , Chatsworth, GA  http://gastateparks.org/info/fortmt

Fort Mountain is appropriately named because of the ancient 855-foot-long rock wall which encircles the mountaintop. The mysterious wall s age is unknown and is thought to have been built by Indians as fortification against other more hostile Indians or possibly for ancient ceremonies. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Cohutta Wilderness area. Outdoor activities include camping and rental cottages, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming and pedal boating on the clear mountain lake, picnicking and miniature golf . There are also lodge accommodations and a restaurant available at the Cohutta Lodge and Restaurant.

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville, GA  http://gastateparks.org/info/amicalola

Amicalola is a Cherokee Indian word meaning "tumbling waters. Amid this park you will find beautiful Amicalola Falls , At 729 feet it is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River . The park also has a beautiful hotel-type lodge and restaurant at the top of the mountain.  More remote and simpler accommodations can be reached via the short 5-mile hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn. The park offers cabin rentals, campgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, trout fishing, and even has a rope course.  This is where many an adventurous backpacker has started his journey up the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail into Maine , via the 8.5 mile approach trail leading from the park to Springer Mountain , the southern end of the AT.

Gilmer County Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce
366 Craig Street East Ellijay
706-635-7400

Apple Houses:  The climate and soil in North Georgia are the perfect combination for growing some of the nation s most delicious apples.  Many varieties are grown in the area.  You just can t visit Ellijay without stopping by some of the apple houses.  Ellijay hosts the annual Georgia Apple Festival each October, which coincides with the fall leaf change.  Many apple houses in the area sell bagged apples, pressed apple cider, and other fruits and vegetables, and some even let you pick-your own apples!

B.J. Reece Apple House 706-276-3048
9131 Hwy 52 East, Ellijay , GA 30540

  Hillcrest Orchards (706) 273-3838
9696 Highway 52 East, Ellijay , GA 30536

Panorama Orchards, Inc. (706) 276-3813
P.O. Box 157, East Ellijay, GA 30539

  R & A Orchard 706-273-3821
5505 Hwy. 52 East, Ellijay , GA 30563

Red Apple Barn (706) 635-5898
3379 Tails Creek Rd. , Ellijay , GA 30540