Trails, Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Trails – Whether you are driving, hiking, cycling or riding a horse, the Historic High Country offers a variety of trails for fun, adventure and historical interest.  See the links to the side to explore further and plan your trip.

Hiking - The Historic High Country's wilderness areas provide many nature trails for hikers of all skill levels. Hikers from across the world come to the High Country to begin their trek into the Appalachians. Many community visitor centers offer brochures on the area's hiking trails including Blue Ridge, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Ellijay, Trenton, and Rome.

Cycling - A favorite in the area, on or off the road.  For the roadies, the pavement through the mountains and valleys allow for rides of all skill levels, from beginners to the Tour de Georgia, North America’s Premier Professional Cycling event.  Mountain bikers will find miles of mountain biking trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  The Aska Trails Area in Blue Ridge is a 17-mile hiking/mountain biking trail system. Trails ascend to near 3,200 feet, taking riders along mountain ridges and descending to the shores of Lake Blue Ridge.  Nearby Ellijay has been designate Georgia’s Mountain Biking Capital for the wide variety of cycling opportunities both on and off the road.

Horseback Riding - Chatsworth offers 5-mile, 10-mile, half-day and overnight camp rides high atop Fort Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Two stables in Blue Ridge area take riders along leisurely trails. In Jasper, groups of four can take a two-hour trail ride to a remote mountain cabin (primitive accommodations, no electricity) where a campfire dinner and breakfast is served on an overnight stay. Beginners can take one hour horseback rides. Overnight trail rides, day trips and pony rides are offered in Rising Fawn. Ride along the scenic Ellijay River on a 2.5-mile nature trail.

Golf - Golfing legends have seen both triumphs and defeats in Georgia, but regardless it is always a spirited game here in the High Country. Play a round at each of the region's 45 courses nestled in unique mountain and lakeside settings.

Lakes, Rivers, Fishing and Boating - Many lakes and streams make the High Country a choice destination for fishermen and boaters alike. The Chattahoochee National Forest and surrounding mountain areas are rich with superior native and stocked trout fishing streams. Rome's Rocky Mountain Recreation Area and the Lock and Dam Park are two of the region's most popular spots for largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and crappie. Sport fishermen come to Lake Allatoona, Carters Lake and Blue Ridge Lake each year for fishing tournaments. These lakes also offer many recreation areas for boaters.  Several Georgia State Parks also offer fishing such as Sloppy Floyd State Park in Summerville and Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth.

Adventure - North Georgia is an adventure waiting for you! From extreme whitewater, sky-diving, and hang gliding to something a little more tame, like kayaking, tubing, and exploring the area’s natural beauty on your ATV, you can enjoy our great outdoors adventure almost any time of the year.

Hunting – Georgia offers a variety of natural settings with a wide variety of wildlife, as as such, ranks as one of the top states for hunting.  Northwest Georgia’s Historic High Country region everything from hunting lodges and planned hunts to seeking out your own adventure in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  For information about regulations, visit www.GeorgiaWildlife.org.

Driving Trails:

• Blue and Gray Trail
  Follow Civil War history through 100 miles of High Country. Revisit the campaign that brought the Civil War to an end, experiencing nationally recognized battle sites and poignant chapters in our nation's history. This trail is nationally recognized on the Civil War Discovery Trail. http://www.blueandgraytrail.com/
• Chieftain's Trail
  The Chieftain's Trail is a 150-mile loop driving tour which interprets the native civilizations of the region. Discover the Cherokee and earlier indian cultures and the suspenseful events that led up to the tragic "Trail of Tears." http://www.chieftainstrail.com/
• Dixie Highway
  Drive through history along "the granddaddy of I-75", the first interstate to reach into the south connecting Michigan to Florida.  Explore battlefields and Peacock Alley. Route passes through Ringgold, Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face, Dalton, Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Cassville, Cartersville, Emerson, Acworth, Kennesaw and Marietta.  http://www.dixiehighway.org/

• Georgia Civil War Heritage Trail
  Interprets Georgia's Civil War era along its historic routes, while leading visitors on an experience back in time. http://www.gcwht.org/
• Lookout Mountain Parkway
  This tri-state driving route along 100-mile long, scenic Lookout Mountain cuts through the northwestern corner of Georgia. Attractions along the route include well-known Rock City and Cloudland Canyon State Park. 706-657-4488. http://www.drivelookoutmountain.com/
• Lookout Mountain Valley Trail
  A mosaic of good art & the good life. A self-guided driving tour of points of light ... shapes, textures & flavors of local artists & southern lifestyles. http://www.lookouttrail.com 706-342-8225
• Southern Highroads
  A multi-state scenic loop tour through beautiful rural mountain communities. Visitors will enjoy beautiful scenery, rivers and lakes, National Forests, quaint small towns with many antique shops. 706-633-6706, http://www.southernhighroads.org/

Scenic Byways 

http://www.dot.state.ga.us/

• Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway
  Rolling pastoral lands and breathtaking mountain views along a 54-mile route traveling SR 2, US 411 and SR 52. Take I-75 to Exit 341. Turn north on SR 201. Turn right on SR 2. Byway begins at Prater's Mill. http://www.gascenicbyway.org/

• Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway
  Popular among cyclists, this byway features mountain overlooks and fertile farmlands along a 51-mile route as it travels US 27, SR 52 and SR 136. Take I-75 to exit 320, west on SR 136. Byway begins at CR 723. Call 706-297-3000. www.byways.org/explore/byways/15724

Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails:

• Appalachian Trail
  The People's Path, and America's First National Scenic Trail. A public footpath across 2,155 miles of Appalachian Mountain from Katahdin, Maine to Springer Mountain, GA. A vision of regional planner Benton MacKaye, this trail winds through scenic wooded lands offering a treat for many wishing to escape urban life. Primarily used for day hikes, nature enthusiasts have been known to pack the entire route. 304-535-6331, http://www.appalachiantrail.org/
• Pinhoti Trail
  This multistate, multipurpose trail connects Alabama to the west with the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, GA. This route uses the Benton MacKaye Trail to connect to the Appalachian Trail. Forest trails, woods roads, county roads, and limited segments of highways comprise these trails. Much of the Pinhoti Trail (outside the Armuchee Ranger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest) is still under development. Road walks do not currently have Pinhoti Trail marking since the route along roads is considered interim. 706-766-3800, http://www.georgiapinhoti.org/
• Silver Comet Trail
  Imagine gliding along on your bike through the north Georgia countryside, crossing a 500-foot-long trestle over a rushing river below, winding between rock cliffs and weaving among tall stately pines. The 60 miles of the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia is closed to motor vehicles.The trail begins near the intersection of Mt. Paran Road and Northside Parkway in Cobb County, and runs west through Rockmart and Cedartown to the Alabama border. From there, it will join the Chief Ladiga trail being built in Alabama, providing a 101-mile trail that will run from Atlanta to Anniston, Alabama! 404-875-7284, http://www.pathfoundation.org/
• The Elsie A. Holmes Nature Park in Ringgold is bordered by the South Chickamauga Creek and provides a quiet place of recreation for visitors to enjoy five walking trails, fishing and picnics. 706-935-5263, http://www.catoosa.com/depts/recreation/elsie-holmes/elsie-holmes-nature-park.htm

• Keown Falls in LaFayette is open seasonally and features unique rock bluffs, and a high-elevation swamp formed from natural springs. Sightseers will enjoy an abundance of wildflowers and shrubs.  706-695-6736, http://georgiatrails.com/trails/keown.html  
• Pigeon Mountain, also in LaFayette, boasts the deepest cave in the world - Ellison Cave - plus horseback riding trails, hiking, and primitive camping. Open year-round. 706-295-6041, http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=BGD041-069
• Spring Creek Preserve in Dalton, is a 200-acre water quality and wildlife habitat improvement project of Dalton Utilities. Visitors may observe native plants and wildlife along the trail system. Open weekends 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 706-278-1313, http://www.dutil.com/residential/cons_wetlands.php
• The Hidden Creek area of the Chattahoochee National Forest is an easily accessible area for camping, hiking and picnics. 706-695-6736, http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/
• Marshall Forest Preserve is a national natural preserve that features a Braille trail, open by appointment only.  800-444-1834, http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/
  states/georgia/preserves/art6697.html  
• Helton Howland Memorial Park in Tallapoosa offers a lakeside picnic pavilion and beach area. 770-574-2345.
• The McIntosh Reserve in Whitesburg, near Carrollton, comprises 487 acres adjacent to the Chattahoochee River offering miles of hiking and horse trails, fishing, picnic area and weekend camping. 770-830-5879, http://carrollcountyga.com/home/mcintosh.htm  

Parks

State Parks

• Cloudland Canyon State Park (Map C2)
  122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn
  706-657-4050, http://gastateparks.org/info/cloudland/ 
  Lookout Mountain, rugged geology, scenic vistas, Elevation 800-1,980 ft., cottages, campsites, group lodge, pioneer campsite, picnic, hiking, tennis, disc golf.
• Fort Mountain State Park (Map C6)
  181 Fort Mountain Park Rd, Chatsworth 
  706-422-1932, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/fortmt/
  In Chattahoochee National Forest: cottages, campsites, lake with swimming beach, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, pedal boat rentals and miniature golf.
• James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park (Map E3)
  2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Rd., Summerville
  706-857-0826, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/sloppy/
  1.6 mile hike to Pinhoti Trail, cottages, campsites, two stocked lakes, pedal boats, playgrounds, Pioneer campground, picnic shelters.
• John Tanner State Park (Map L4)
  354 Tanners Beach Rd, Carrollton
  770-830-2222, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/jtanner/
  Largest sand beach of any Georgia State Park, campsites, group lodge,
  cottages, miniature golf, volleyball, horseshoes, picnic/group shelters, Pioneer Campground, canoe /pedal/fishing boat rentals in season.
• Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge (Map G6)
  50 Lodge Rd, Cartersville
  770-975-4226, Lodge Reservations: (800)-573-9658. http://www.gastateparks.org/info/redtop/  
  33-room lodge, 18 cottages, 92 campsites,one Yurt, picnic/group shelters, 2 Pioneer Campgrounds, boat rentals, 12 miles of hiking trails, reconstructed 1860's log cabin, 3/4 mlle paved trail suitable for wheelchairs & strollers on Lake Allatoona.

• Chattahoochee National Forest
  www.fs.fed.us/conf/
  The Chattahoochee National Forest contains about 750,000 acres in North Georgia, offering hundreds of developed campsites, picnic sites, trails, lakes and streams. Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the National Forest (unless posted otherwise) and a permit is not needed for a campfire. Hunting and fishing are allowed under State of Georgia Regulations. Permits and licenses should be obtained from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Division. Most of the developed recreation areas are open from late spring to early fall. However, some select areas are kept open year-round. Contact the appropriate ranger district office below for specific information.
  1. Armuchee-Cohutta Ranger District - Chatsworth
     706-695-6736
  2. Toccoa Ranger District - Blue Ridge
     706-632-3031
• Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (Map A3)
  3370 LaFayette Rd., Fort Oglethorpe 
  706-866-9241, www.nps.gov/chch /
  The U.S. first and largest NMP features Visitor Center film, 7-mile self-guided auto-tour, 1,000+ monuments, historical tablets, scenic vistas, hiking trails and horse trails. Daily 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission $3. Handicapped Accessible.
• Chief Vann House Historic Site (Map C6)
  82 Highway 225 North, Chatsworth
  706-695-2598, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/chiefvann/
  The "Showplace of the Cherokee Nation" built in 1804 by Chief James Vann "floating" staircase and fine antiques. Tu-Sa. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Su. 2-5:30 p.m. Admission $2.50-$4.00. Handicapped accessible.
• Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site (Map G5)
  813 Indian Mounds Rd. S.W., Cartersville
  770-387-3747, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/etowah/
  The "Ancient Indian City," home to thousands of Native Americans between 1000-1560 A.D., Most intact Mississippian Culture site in SE, museum, 6 mounds, riverside plaza. Tues-Sat.
  9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 2-5:30 p.m.  Admission $2.50-$4.00
• New Echota Historic Site (Map E5)
  I-75 Exit 317, Hwy 225, Calhoun
  706-624-1321, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/echota/
  Beginning of the infamous "Trail of Tears", Capital of the Cherokee Nation - Visitor Center, exhibits/film, 12 historic/reconstructed buildings, walking tour, one-mile nature trail. Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 2-5:30 p.m. Admission: $2.50-$4.00. Handicapped accessible.
• Pickett's Mill Battlefield Historic Site (Map I5)
  4432 Mt. Tabor Church Rd, Dallas
  770-443-7850, http://www.gastateparks.org/info/picketts/  
  One of the Nation's best-preserved battlefields; Interpretive museum, original earthworks, Four miles of hiking trails. Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Noon-5 p.m. Admission $1.75-$3.00. Handicapped accessible.

Outdoor Recreation

Lakes, Rivers, Fishing, and Boating

• Lake Allatoona offers many boat launch ramps, public beaches, fishing areas, full-service marinas, boat rentals, lakeside campsites, and picnic shelters in Cartersville, Canton, and Acworth. The Lake Allatoona Visitor Center is open daily in Cartersville (I-75 Exit 290, right on Spur 20, 4 miles) and is the first resource for information. 678-721-6700, http://allatoona.sam.usace.army.mil/ 
• Lake Blue Ridge offers boating, fishing, swimming, camping and picnic sites with full pool water levels Sping-Fall. A full-service marina is open Tuesday-Sunday. The Toccoa River, also in Blue Ridge, offers guided trout fishing trips daily, plus tubing and canoeing year-round.  Nearby companies offer whitewater rafting trips. 800-899-MTNS, http://www.lakeblueridge.us/
• Carters Lake between Chatsworth and Ellijay is the deepest lake east of the Mississippi and offers swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cabins & marina. 706-334-2248, http://carters.sam.usace.army.mil/  
• Lake Conasauga is Georgia's highest elevated lake 3150 ft above sea level and allows swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking. 706-695-6060, http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/lkcnacmp.htm
• Mayo's Lock and Dam is a popular spot for fishing and camping, open year-round. 706-234-5001, http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XFA050-002
• Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area, open year-round, Armuchee. 706-802-5087, http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/
  documentdetail.aspx?docid=144&pageid=14&category=fishing  

Adventure

• The Lodges at Historic Banning Mills near Carrollton offers river kayak tours, ropes course team building, canopy tour, horseback riding trips and more. Guided soft adventures focus on a variety of historical themes.  Packages include lunch and admission costs. 866-447-8688 or 770-834-9149, http://www.historicbanningmills.com/

Golf

• Fine courses await your A-game in almost every community in the 17-county area of the Historic High Country area.  For complete details ask for a free copy of the Georgia Golf Guide at any Georgia Visitor Information Center or Local Welcome Center, or call 800-VISITGA. Order online at http://www.exploregeorgia.org/.