Inside the Utterly Unique Unicoi State Park Barrel Cabins in Helen GA

Unicoi State Park Barrel Cabin

[Updated October 26, 2021] Georgia State Park cabins are arguably among the best deals you’ll find for cabin rentals in North Georgia. Most cost around $160 a night for a 2-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen that can sleep 6 to 8 people.   And when it comes to Unicoi State Park lodging, their rental … Read more

A Guide to 21 North GA Wildflowers (& Where to See Them)

Georgia Wildflowers

[Updated 3/16/22]  North Georgia boasts an incredibly diverse array of flora, including an abundance of eye-catching wildflowers that paint the landscape in vivid colors every spring. From the brilliant blooms of Flame Azaleas and Catawba Rhododendrons to the more subdued beauty of Virginia Bluebells and Bloodroot, spotting wildflowers is one of our favorite things to … Read more

Things to Do in Moccasin Creek State Park on Lake Burton

Lake Burton Boathouse at Moccasin Creek State Park

[Updated on November 26, 2021] After becoming empty nesters in 2019, my lady and I decided that we wanted to start the process of looking for our future home.  I’d grown up hiking in the North Georgia mountains with my family, spending many a memorable summer day at my grandparents’ humble cabin on Lake Hartwell.  … Read more

How to Get to Panther Falls & Angel Falls GA (at Lake Rabun Beach Campground)

Panther Falls GA at Lake Rabun Beach

[Updated November 26, 2021] If you spend much time exploring outdoor attractions in my native state, you’ve gotta wonder who’s responsible for naming the countless waterfalls in Georgia. And more importantly, why aren’t their names more distinctive? For instance, the Angel Falls Trail leads to one of our favorite waterfalls in Rabun County GA. But … Read more

Cloudland Canyon State Park Cabins Review (Rising Fawn, GA)

Foggy morning at Cloudland Canyon State Park Cabins

[Updated on 7/20/21] I can remember my first visit to northwest Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park like it was yesterday, despite the fact that it was nearly 27 years ago. That trip was the first time I went camping with my family as an adult, nearly 20 years after we hiked the Georgia section of … Read more

Goats On The Roof: Family Friendly Fun Near Clayton GA

Remote Feeding a Goat at Goats on the Roof in Tiger GA

Although I’ve been exploring the North Georgia State Parks, waterfalls, and hiking trails near Blue Ridge and Helen since I was a boy, for some reason the town of Clayton never really popped up on my family’s radar. It wasn’t until late 2020 that we finally explored northeast Georgia’s Rabun County in depth, and we were … Read more

Things to Do in Black Rock Mountain State Park Near Clayton GA

Clayton GA seen from Black Rock Mountain State Park Visitor Center

[Updated on 7/16/21] From Amicalola Falls and Red Top Mountain to Unicoi and Vogel, we’ve explored quite a few of the state parks in Georgia in the 12 years we’ve been traveling together. But our trip to Black Rock Mountain State Park last September firmly established the 1743-acre park near Clayton GA as our favorite. … Read more

How to Get to Dukes Creek Falls Near Helen GA

Small Cascades at Dukes Creek Falls near Helen GA

[Updated September 21, 2021]  Anytime someone in our Blue Ridge Mountains Facebook groups asks about the best easy to moderate hiking trails in North Georgia, we recommend the waterfalls near Helen GA.   Anna Ruby Falls (.8 miles) and Helton Creek Falls (.3 miles) are both easy hikes that offer extraordinary payoff for minimal effort.   … Read more

Exploring the Schoolbus Graveyard, North GA’s Painted School Bus Attraction

Schoolbus Graveyard in the North Georgia Mountains

Located about an hour north of Atlanta in Habersham County, the Schoolbus Graveyard is arguably among the most unusual and intriguing roadside attractions in North Georgia. Surrounding Alonzo Wade Used Cars & Auto Parts– a 5-acre junkyard that has been in Walter Wade’s family for 60+ years– the colorful landmark embodies two classic clichés. One … Read more

How to Get to Helton Creek Falls in Blairsville GA

Couple relaxing on rocks at Helton Creek Falls near Helen, GA

[Updated September 21, 2021] From Anna Ruby and Amicalola Falls to Hemlock, Minnehaha, and Angel/Panther Falls, one of our favorite things about our 2020 staycations has been exploring many of the amazing waterfalls in North Georgia. But until recently we hadn’t made our way to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy to hike the waterfalls … Read more