2941 GA-180 Spur, Hiawassee, GA 30546

Owned by the US Forest Service, and located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, the Brasstown Bald Recreation Area & Visitor Center is the highest point in Georgia, rising 4,784 feet above sea level. Just a short drive from Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Helen, Brasstown Bald is a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon. On the Bald you will find picnic areas with great views; a general store with locally made products; three trailheads just off of our parking lot (Jack’s Knob, Arkaquah, and the Wagon Train trails;) a mountaintop natural science & history museum; theater which plays a short video every half-hour; and observation deck which offers a spectacular 360° view of the surrounding area, including four states (GA, TN, NC, & SC) and if you’re lucky, the skyline of Atlanta!

Hours of Operation

Brasstown Bald is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am –5pm, mid-March through December (weather permitting). The observation deck and hiking trails are accessible 24/7, but keep in mind that all facilities including store, elevator, visitor center, and restrooms close at 4pm. A single pit toilet located in the center of the parking lot will be available for use by the public after hours.

Admission

During open hours the Admission fee is $5 per adult (16 & up.) Children 15 & under get in free. This is a day-use fee and includes parking and shuttle service. The after-hours fee is $3 per adult, paid through the yellow envelopes found at the fee tube next to the ticket booth.

3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd Helen, GA 30545

Spectacular Anna Ruby Falls lies in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The quiet coolness of the area is broken only by the thundering rush of water flowing over the rugged cliff face. Anna Ruby Falls marks the junction of Curtis and York Creeks. Both creeks begin on Tray Mountain and are fed by underground springs, rain, and snow. Curtis Creek drops 153 feet and York Creek 50 feet to form the twin waterfalls known as Anna Ruby Falls. From the falls, Smith Creek tumbles downhill to Unicoi Lake and then to the Chattahoochee River. It's journey continues south, eventually joining the Applachicola River in Florida and ending its 550-mile journey in the Gulf of Mexico. A paved 0.4-mile footpath leads from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Walking is easy to moderate and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Benches are provided along the way. Walking shoes are recommended since the trail can be wet and slippery.

There is a fee of $3.00 per person (ages 16 & up) to visit Anna Ruby Falls. Anna Ruby Falls is open daily (weather permitting) from 9AM - 6PM. Nobody admitted on the trail after 5PM.

900 Bell Mountain Park Rd.

Hiawassee GA 30546

The Hal Herrin Estate graciously donated the 18 acre Bell Mountain Summit to Towns County and on February 18, 2016 was formally named Bell Mountain Park and Historical Site and the observation deck erected was named and dedicated as the Hal Herrin Scenic Overlook. Thereafter the County paved the road, established a parking area, and in addition to the Hal Herrin Scenic Overlook erected a 2nd platform rising to 3424 foot of elevation offering 360 degree views of the surrounding lake and mountains. The drive up is very steep!!

Only about a 2 hour drive from Murphy, NC!

This remote area offers excellent trout fishing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. The 25-mile Rim Trail in the Fires Creek Backcountry Area, is a hiking trail, however, some trail sections are open to horses. As the name implies, the Rim Trail climbs the ridge around Fires Creek and makes a large loop. The trail offers vistas as it crosses several highelevation balds. Located on Fires Creek, Bristol Campground has nine sites, a vault toilet, and accomodates horse campers. Huskins Branch Hunters Camp offers primitive camping.

We got engaged here!

A divide along the Blue Ridge Mountains that is also a hiking rest stop and trailhead for the Appalachian Trail. The ride is pretty curvy and uphill, but it is paved and has great views off the side of the road. There is a mountain outfitters store in the front, with a Mountain View from the picnic tables on the right side of the building. Outside on the back side of the store, you can walk on a part of the Appalachian Trail. Located 15 minutes from the wedding venue, and 20 minutes from downtown Blairsville.

Address: 12471 Gainesville Hwy

Cleveland, GA 30512

United States

Helton Creek Falls

A beautiful local waterfall that is not very accessible by car but can be done in a 4WD vehicle (we have done it in a minivan but the potholes were rough on the car), the road starts out as pavement and then turn into a bumpy dirt road for about 2 miles. The path after you park is only about .3 miles and leads to a platform at the base of the falls. If you decide to go swimming or in the water, be sure to bring water shoes because there are many rocks and tree branches in the water.

Address: 158 Helton Creek Rd Blairsville, GA 30512 United States