North Georgia Travel Destinations For the Adventurous
By Gina Bennett
If you are planning a visit to the North Georgia area you will find that there are a variety of outdoor activities to choose from so that you can make the most of your trip. Let's talk about some of the more popular attractions that are in the beautiful mountain area of Georgia.
Cohutta Wilderness Area
The Cohutta Wilderness Area, which is over 40,000 total acres, is the biggest area of wilderness that is east of the Mississippi. If you are someone who loves the outdoors, this area is perfect for you to visit. A series of roads are referred to as The Cohutta Loop, which goes through just about 70 square miles of wilderness area in North Georgia. During this drive, you will come across wildlife, campgrounds, walking trails and awesome mountain views. There is also the Lake Conasauga Recreational Area, a great place to pitch a tent and have a picnic in this beautiful wilderness area. Bring your camera and hiking boots and make some memories.
Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola Falls is very close to the city of Ellijay in North Georgia. Because the falls can get quite busy during the seasons when the leaves are changing you should plan ahead. This magnificent water fall is over 600 feet high and you can approach it from 3 levels. The Amicalola Falls trail starts at the bottom of the falls and goes clear up to the top. If you choose you can drive to the middle or the top rather than walk from the base to the top. There are viewing platforms to enhance the experience so be sure to bring your camera and capture the beauty.
Fort Mountain State Park
There is a rock wall over 800 feet tall located at the top of Fort Mountain. It is assumed that the wall was built by the Indians as a fort for protection. This state park located in the Chattahoochee National Forest is close to Ellijay and Chatsworth Georgia. In the summer months you can enjoy the sandy beach or get your feet wet, rent a pedal boat and cruise the lake. There are campsites, hiking trails and wonderful picnic areas so pack a lunch and enjoy.
Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Center
This center is in operation during the months of June-September when the water flow is increased coming from the Lake Blue Ridge Dam. Folks who really like to participate in canoeing, kayaking and rafting come here to have fun. There are also 20 miles of trails for mountain bikers and hikers, two of which are the Chestnut Mountain Trail and the Bear Paw Trail. You can take part in the fun even if you are physically challenged because there is a one-mile hiking trail that is completely accessible for you. The trail circles the center and goes across a suspension bridge that is 330 feet. The Old Cooper Road Historic Trail is also something you should check out. Before the railroad arrived from Blue Ridge, this trail was used to carry copper by wagon to Cleveland from Ducktown.
Carters Lake and Carters Dam
Carters Lake is located near Ellijay and was completed in 1977. With a span of more than 3,000 acres the lake is a popular site for hiking, camping, fishing and mountain biking. Although it is popular with boaters and fishermen there is also a big wildlife management area. Deer hunting is allowed with archery equipment only. You can hike the Hidden Pond Songbird Trail where you will see a gentrified beaver pond that is loaded with waterfowl. Another trail, the Carters Lake Nature Trail offers many great views of the lake. This lake was designed as a means to help control the annual flooding that takes place in the Etowah River Valley, with a second purpose being power generation, as with all the TVA lakes that are in North Georgia.
As you can see there is plenty of outdoor activity in North Georgia. Campsites abound and there are plenty of cabin rentals too.
Gina lives in Gilmer County Georgia. She manages cabins for private owners in North Georgia. You can find out more about her at her Ellijay Cabin Rental website.
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