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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 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.
Visitors will see many traditional folk galleries in the area, plus refined rustic antique shops in nearby Dillard Georgia. This beautiful valley land is famous for it’s farmland and family-style meals at the Dillard House Restaurant serving the community since 1917. The Dillard family earned the title of the earliest documented white settlers in 1794 and legend has it that to make peace with the local Cherokee Indians gifts were given for all the land between two mountain tops. Located one mile east of Dillard is the Hoojah Branch Indian burial mound, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
To view this quaint valley from the high tops of the Mountain from Dillard take a beautiful scenic drive on Highway 246 toward Sky Valley, Ga. to get a real taste of an aerial perspective form several roadside and trail lookouts. The area offers abundant hiking, waterfalls and scenic flora. Georgia’s highest city, with an elevation of 3,500 ft. is home to Sky Valley Golf and Country Club, which features an 18 hole championship public golf course, luxury accommodations, swimming and tennis courts.
If your looking for cool waters the Chattooga River which borders Georgia and South Carolina is recognized as one of the Southeast’s premier whitewater area. Over 50 miles of river flows from the Appalachian Mountains to Lake Tugaloo offering class II – V rapids.
If boating, water-sports, swimming or fishing help you cool off on a hot summer day then Rabun County has several lakes with the largest being Lake Burton. Offering three activity areas of Jones Bridge Park, Timpson Cove Beach, or Murray Cove all offer shoreline and picnic areas. Lake Rabun is the second largest with Nacoochee Park and Rabun Beach. Fees are usually required for fishing and catches include bass, bream, perch, trout and catfish.
Nearby Clayton offers that “Hometown Feeling” as you stroll leisurely through the local shops. Dine at one of the fine restaurants that feature local fresh farm produce or experience the old-fashioned drug store soda fountain! Shop for mountain crafts or enjoy the fine art galleries. Clayton and Rabun county is always an inviting place to stay in a quaint cottage, motel, or cabin and always welcomes you back. You’ll find everything you need for the perfect getaway to rest, relax and renew in Rabun County.
