Have you ever dreamed of being a cowgirl or cowboy, spending your days riding horses while enjoying beautiful vistas and the sounds of nature? While it may not be a practical choice for a full-time career, it’s easy to get a taste of ranch life within an hour or two from metro Atlanta. The state … Read more
[Updated May 8, 2022] When you explore the enchanting Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, you’re bound to run across stunning waterfalls tucked away in remote parts of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Tumbling over massive rock outcrops and spilling into meandering streams lined with towering trees, mossy boulders, and beautiful wildflowers, these natural wonders are … Read more
Encompassing over 3,000 acres in Chatsworth and Ellijay GA, with 62 miles of shoreline, Carters Lake is a popular destination for boating, camping, fishing, hiking, and myriad other forms of outdoor recreation. Located about halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga in the North Georgia Mountains, Carters Lake is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. There are … Read more
As a longtime member of a few Blairsville-related Facebook groups, I’d read numerous complaints about the lack of diversity of non-chain restaurants in the tiny North Georgia mountain town. With a population of just over 600 and an economy that isn’t nearly as tourism-based as nearby hotspots such as Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen, we … Read more
All across the North Georgia mountains, you can find rolling hills, lush forest, and an outstanding assortment of eye-catching waterfalls. To some people’s surprise, you can also find an array of superb vineyards and wineries, many of which are less than an hour from metro Atlanta. Thanks to the region’s unique climate and geography, wine … Read more
In terms of outdoor recreation, my native state of Georgia is home to 50+ state parks and historic sites and more than a dozen national parks and forests. Our plethora of options to explore includes majestic mountains, ancient geological formations, canyons carved out over the course of time, wild and scenic rivers, and a seemingly endless array of … Read more
[Updated April 6, 2022] If you’re a nature lover, at some point in your childhood you probably dreamed about living in a decked-out treehouse. Whether it began when you watched the Swiss Family Robinson build an elaborate home on an uninhabited island; read the adventures of Jack and Annie in The Magic Tree House; or … Read more
The Appalachian Mountains run north to south in the eastern third of the United States, passing through every coastal state north of Florida and all the way up into Appalachian Canada. They also move slightly westward into other states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. Within this massive area— ranging from 100 to 300 miles … Read more
In our eyes, one of the highlights of hiking in the North Georgia Mountains is finding yourself at the base of an eye-popping waterfall. Thankfully, there are an abundance of breathtaking Georgia waterfalls to explore, from the 729-foot Amicalola Falls (the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi) to the stunningly beautiful Minnehaha Falls. You might think that … Read more
When most people think of U.S. National Parks, they tend to think of epic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. But in reality the National Park Service manages more than 423 individual units covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and various US … Read more
