COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
GET OUTDOORS AND... Explore Georgia’s Highest Mountains, Lakes, and Waterfalls of Rabun County
If Outdoor Adventure is what your looking for this Summer – then Rabun County is your destination. Conveniently located just 90 miles from Atlanta this small northern corner of Georgia is bordered by South Carolina and North Carolina. All roads lead to wilderness and the great outdoors in Rabun County, as approximately, 60% of the land is in National Forest and State Parks, plus approximately 20% is held by by Georgia Power for Lake Burton, Rabun, Seed, and Tallulah. Rabun County has 148,684 acres which is some of the largest portion of 18 county area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. An arial view of this area reveals byways of wilderness with a vast array of high, rugged mountains, deep valleys and raging rivers. One cannot actually see the Eastern Continental Divide bordering Georgia’s 2nd highest peak, Rabun Bald; yet the ridges hosts over 60 peaks between 3-4,000 feet in elevation along the Bartram Trail founded by Rabun’s earliest explorer and naturalist in 1775. Rabun County boasts having “three Georgia State Parks” with Moccasin Creek State Park on Lake Burton, Black Rock Mountain State Park to the North and Tallulah Falls State Park to the South of
8 | vACATION GUIDE in the Mountains
it’s border. The area has numerous hiking trails in both State Parks plus a portion of the Appalachian Trail winds through on the western border and a 37-mile portion of the Bartram Trail. Picturesque waterfalls abound and many can be easily reached by relatively short trails. Located in Mountain City off Hwy. 441 Black Rock Mountain takes it’s name from the shear dark granite wall that is visible from long distances. Within the State Park there are four scenic overlooks. The Cowee Overlook is the first on the drive in, and actually sits almost directly above the Ada-Hi Falls, but the falls are not visible from the overlook. The Nantahala Overlook is located in the RV parking circle. The Blue Ridge Overlook and Black Rock Overlook is adjacent to the Visitors Center and Trading Post. Visitors enjoying backpacking for day trips, hiking on the trails and fishing on the 17 acre lake. Near the State Park is home to the famed “Foxfire” Museum & Heritage Center. The project of Foxfire magazine was based on interviewing local people and publishing their stories, which inspired numerous schools across the country to develop similar programs. The museum offers a self-guided tour through the authentic village showing the trades of early settlers. www.mountainlakeguide.com | SPRING / SUMMER 2022
