Experience North Georgia Year Round

The mountains of North Georgia are beautiful in the fall and often make the news for the foliage each year as the trees turn golden yellow, bright orange and a hundred colors in between. If you’ve ever been to North Georgia in the fall you can attest to this glorious event. North Georgia is also a great place to visit at other times of the year as well. In the winter there’s nothing cozier than renting a cabin with friends or a special someone for the weekend. In the spring the mountains come alive with native azaleas and rhododendron blooms. The summer offers dozens of outdoor activities including festivals, hiking, white water rafting, and more. North Georgia is a year round destination with something for everyone.

Visiting North Georgia in the fall can be crowded if you drive roads like the Richard B. Russell Parkway on a Sunday afternoon, but if you plan well you can avoid the crowds by taking a day off work and showing up on a Tuesday or other weekday. This author has spent many fall days in the North Georgia Mountains on weekdays with little to no crowds to compete with. If you are a photographer, or just want to capture crowd free pictures, plan a trip on a weekday. For a breath taking day find Tate City, just past Clayton. The five mile dirt road will take you to a valley known locally as Tate City that has to be one of the most perfect places in North Georgia. Drive to the end of the road for a great hiking trail that meets the Appalachian Trail after a few miles.

The winter is the best time to rent a cabin. The leaves are gone but the prices are often cheaper too. You can find dozens of North Georgia cabins for rent on sites like GeckosGeorgia.com. A cabin can be a good deal if you share the expense with several friends or family members. Many have several large bedrooms and smaller rooms for the kids too. Look for a cabin with a hot tub, a basement with a pool table, and a great deck. Some are on or near rivers that can be a plus for trout fishing.

When spring hits North Georgia the mountains turn green again and the flowers blossom bringing rebirth to the hills. This is a wonderful time for hikers and lovers of nature. The famous Appalachian Trail starts at Springer Mountain Georgia and continues all the way north to Maine. You can hike all of the 70 plus miles in Georgia or a small portion. There are easy parts and some that can be difficult. Other than the A.T. there are hundreds of other trails in North Georgia. You can looking online for trails or pick up one of the several North Georgia hiking guidebooks available at just about any Georgia bookstore.

With summer Georgia comes alive with fun. In North Georgia you’ll find festivals galore and activities for the entire family. White Water rafting is a favorite as well as renting an inner tube and floating down the Chattahoochee River in Helen. While in Helen be sure to visit a few of the stores and sample the fudge and buy a t-shirt or two. After visiting Helen drive over the mountains to the town of Young Harris and visit the home of Zell Miller and Young Harris College. The valley that holds the college is the most beautiful valley in the Southeast and holds the name of Enchanted Valley for a good reason. You won’t want to leave.

North Georgia is a beautiful place that has something for everyone in every season. No trip to Georgia is complete without a few days in the mountains. If you are a local Georgian make sure to enjoy this resource. North Georgia is waiting for you.