Water Sports

Lake Blue Ridge - Sparkling Lake Blue Ridge has over 100 miles of shoreline and is one of the purest lakes in the TVA System. It offers swimming, boat rentals, boat ramps, jet skiing, fishing, and picnicking. The National Forest Recreation Area at Morganton Point is less than ten minutes from Cool Waters and offers swimming, a white sand beach, picnic areas, a bath house, and a boat ramp. Hike around Lake Blue Ridge through the Chattahoochee National Forest, which borders only a few steps from the cabin. Walleye, smallmouth bass, white bass, and bluegill are the most sought-after species of fish on the Lake. There are even larger lakes nearby, including 4180-acre Lake Nottely and 7000-acre Lake Chatuge.

Toccoa River - The beautiful whitewater Toccoa River, from which Lake Blue Ridge is formed, is very popular for troutfishing, tubing, canoeing, and, in some sections, sunbathing on the boulders in the middle of the river. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is perfect for beginners who are looking for a few rapids and some beautiful scenery along the way. The trail is also popular with float fishermen looking for cold-water mountain trout. The put-in is located at the Toccoa Ranger District's Deep Hole Recreation Area, a U.S. Forest Service campground off of highway GA 60 south of Blue Ridge and north of Suches. The canoe trail begins on the north bank of the river, flowing west and north toward Blue Ridge. The entire float from Deep Hole to Sandy Bottoms is 13.8 miles.

Troutfishing - In addition to the Toccoa River, there is good fishing for trophy-size trout on a number of rushing streams in the area, including Fightingtown Creek, Rock Creek, Cooper Creek, and Noontootla Creek. If you really want to catch a trout, or at least see a lot of rainbows, make a daytrip to the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery. Located off of Highway 60 between Morganton and Dahlonega, the fish hatchery raises a million rainbow trout each year to stock the tailwaters, streams, and lakes of North Georgia. It is operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Visitors can tour the hatchery and visitor center, fish Rock Creek, go for a hike, or have a picnic. Take your own gear and bait and be sure to have a Georgia fishing license. The hatchery offers special group tours and sponsors annual fishing derbies for kids and seniors. The Hatchery is located near other mountain attractions, including Deep Hole and Cooper Creek recreation areas, the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Swinging Bridge. The Hatchery is open year round from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays.

Whitewater Rafting - One of the legacies of the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Ocoee Whitewater Center was the location of the Canoe, Kayak and Slalom events. Located on Hwy. 64 north of McCaysville, the Center was built by the U.S. Forest Service. Rafters, canoers, and kayakers all journey to the Center, located in the Ocoee River Gorge, to enjoy the whitewater. Directions to the Ocoee Whitewater Center: from Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to I-575. Continue north on I-575 to GA 515. In Blue Ridge, take GA 5 north to McCaysville, cross the bridge to Copperhill, TN, and turn left on Tennessee Highway 68. In Ducktown, take U. S. 64 west to the Ocoee Whitewater Center on the left. Whitewater rafting, offered by a number of private outfitters in the area, runs from April to October, when releases from Lake Blue Ridge dam increase the flow of the water on the Toccoa/Ocoee River. (The Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee River at the Tennessee State Line.)

Waterfalls in Fannin County

Falls Branch Falls - The upper portion of Fall Branch Falls is a series of cascades that lead to a single major drop of some 30 feet, with the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. These falls, along the Benton MacKaye Trail west of Aska Road are a shorter, although a bit harder, walk than Long Creek Falls. Directions - take Aska Road south 8 miles and turn right on Stanley Creek Road. Go 3.1 miles to the parking lot on the right just past the bridge over Falls Branch.

Jacks River Falls - This popular destination in the Cohutta Wilderness Area requires the longest walk of all of the falls in Fannin County. The easiest access is a 9.2 mile hike from Dally Gap along the Jacks River Trail.

Long Creek Falls - The most popular of the waterfalls in Fannin County is Long Creek Falls, which can be seen by hiking down a short side trail from the combined Appalachian/Benton MacKaye Trail. These falls total about 50 feet in two distinct drops. A leisurely 30 minute hike to the falls is uphill on the way in, downhill on the way out. Directions - take Aska Road south until it dead-ends into Newport Road, turn right and continue down Newport. At the end of Newport, turn left onto Doublehead Gap Road, which becomes a dirt road. Just past a church and cemetery the road narrows, then splits into three separate roads. Turn right onto FS58 and travel 5.4 miles to a widening in the road. This is Three Forks.

Sea Creek Falls - Located in the Cooper Creek Scenic Area, Sea Creek Falls are an easy walk of less than 0.1 miles. Unfortunately, the drive can be difficult. The first, or upper, falls is a series of steep cascades ending in a brief drop. The second falls is also a series of steep cascades. When the water flow is heavy either in late Winter or Spring or after a summer rain, these are a remarkable sight. Directions - from the Georgia Mountain Parkway just past Blue Ridge, take Highway 60 south (toward Morganton). At Cooper Creek Store, turn left on Cooper Creek Road (this road is also called Mulky Gap Road). After 3.3 miles, the road makes a dramatic turn back on itself and FS 264 comes off to the left. This road is rough and may not be passable in anything but a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Travel 0.3 miles to a campground, park, and walk 0.1 miles further up the creek.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Hike along the Appalachian Trail or the Benton MacKaye Trail. They have the same starting point at the southern tip of the County. The Benton MacKaye Trail passes within three miles of Blue Ridge as it heads northwest to Tennessee. The closest point on the Appalachian Trail, which heads northeast to North Carolina and on to Maine, is about a 45-minute drive from town. Experienced hikers may choose to explore the 35,000-acre Cohutta Wilderness Area, the largest protected wilderness east of the Mississippi River. The Aska Trails is a 17-mile system of hiking and mountain biking trails with views of Lake Blue Ridge and the mountains.

Horseback Riding

A number of companies provide horseback riding along scenic trails.

Town of Blue Ridge

Often called the antiques shopping capital of Georgia, Blue Ridge has a number of antique and crafts shops on or near Main Street. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves from the old depot in town for excursion rides along the Toccoa River. Blue Ridge also offers a variety of restaurants, live productions at the Blue Ridge Community Theater, a movie theater, bowling, and the Swan Drive IN, one of the last remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia. Mercier Apple Orchards near town is one of the largest apple orchards in the Southeast. It sells apples, cider, baked goods, and farm-grown vegetables. Fannin County has festivals and concerts throughout the year.

Golf

Brasstown Valley Resort
6321 US Hwy 76, Young Harris, GA 30582 (706) 379-4613
18 hole link style course. Rated top 10 places to play in Georgia.
Driving range. Open year round.

Butternut Creek Golf Course
Hwy 19 & 129 North, Blairsville, GA 30512 (706)439-6076
18 Hole 6536 yd. golf course. Bentgrass greens and Bermuda fairways.
Open year round with a fully stocked pro shop and putting greens.

Copper Basin Golf Club
11933 Hwy 64, Copperhill, TN. 37317 (423)496-3579
No Web site
18 Holes. Open all year.

Whitepath Golf Club
1156 Shenandoah Drive, Ellijay, Ga. 30540 (706)276-3080
No Web site
18 Hole mountainous 6,400 yard golf course. Bentgrass greens with Bermuda fairways.
Open all year except Christmas Day.


McCaysville City Park

Just a few minutes from Cool Waters Getaway near downtown McCaysville along the banks of the Toccoa River. The park is operated by the city of McCaysville and is open daily from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. The park is equipped with restroom facilities, a playground, a fishing dock, a covered pavilion with grills, and a boat ramp. The pavilions are available free of charge, reservations can be made by calling 706-492-4921.


Pickin' In The Park

May 25 through the end of September - Enjoy live acoustic music including traditional Appalachian, Bluegrass, Blues and Jazz music every Thursday from 6:00pm - Dusk during the months of May through September alongside the Toccoa River at Ron Henry-Horseshoe Bend River Park in McCaysville, Georgia. Pickin' In The Park® is a series of weekly jam sessions that nurture local acoustic music. Bring your instruments and participate in these weekly jam sessions along the river... or come listen, grill-out and dance!

Pickin' In The Park® is located under the trees and pavilions alongside the beautiful Toccoa River upstream from McCaysville, Georgia on River Road just off Hwy 60.

Things to Do Within 1-2 Hours of Blue Ridge

Brasstown Bald - Georgia's highest mountain (4,784 ft.) has an observation tower with a 360-degree view of four states and hiking trails, picnic areas, and educational programs.

Amicalola Falls State Park - The highest falls east of the Mississippi River, with a 729-foot drop, has a great view from the top. The park offers hiking trails, trout fishing, and playgrounds.

Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery - Produces one million rainbow trout each year for stocking North Georgia rivers, lakes, and streams. Tour the hatchery, fish in Rock Creek, and enjoy the picnic areas.

Vogel State Park - The park has a lake with swimming beach and pedal boats, miniature golf, picnic areas, and 17 miles of hiking trails. Helton Creek Falls and Desoto Falls are nearby.

Hiawassee, Ga. - Hiawassee is host to the Georgia Mountain Fair each year in late summer. The town is on the shores of 7,000-acre Lake Chatuge and near the Brasstown Wilderness.


Fort Mountain - derives its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall which stands on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious wall is thought to have been built by Indians as fortification against other more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wilderness area, this park offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in northern Georgia. Most wind through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, occasionally crossing streams and providing spectacular vistas. During the summer, children will enjoy the sand beach located on a clear mountain lake, as well as miniature golf and pedal boat rental.

Other Attractions - Great Smoky Mountain National Park; Alpine Village of Helen; Anna Ruby Falls; Chattanooga (Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Lookout Mountain); Dahlonega (Gold Museum, panning for gold, The Smith House Restaurant); Atlanta (Six Flags, Atlanta Zoo, Stone Mountain).

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