Black Rock Mountain State Park

From Atlanta, GA - 113mi

From Chattanooga, TN - 146mi

From Asheville, NC - 85mi

From Greenville, SC - 78mi

Discover one of Georgia’s best state parks for the outdoors enthusiast. Black Rock Mountain is often cooler than other Georgia parks. With an altitude of 3,640 ft., it covers almost 1,800 acres of Rabun County and is located North of Clayton, GA, on Highway 441.

Roadside overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas, and four hiking trails that lead visitors past wildflowers, streams, small waterfalls and lush forests. Full slopes of blooming trilliums and other species among hidden boulder fields continue to astound botanists with rare flora finds.

Black Rock Mountain takes its name from the shear dark granite wall that is visible and easily identifiable from long distances. When local citizens sold the land to the state of Georgia in 1939, access to the park was limited by the lack of roads. Governor Herman Talmadge backed a plan to build a road to the Georgia Department of State Parks land near Clayton in the early 1950s, thus forming easy access to this incredible vista.

Within Black Rock Mountain State Park there are four scenic overlooks. The Cowee Overlook is 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 RV parking circle. The Blue Ridge Overlook and Black Rock Overlook is adjacent to the Visitors Center and Trading Post.

Visitors are welcome to lodge in cottages, camp in tents, trailer, or bring their RV. The 17-acre lake offers canoeing and provides great fishing for bass, catfish, bream and trout. Hiking and backpacking, ranging from easy to difficult levels, offer wonderful views of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Foxfire’s Museum & Heritage Center – located by the park in Mountain City is home to The famed “Foxfire” magazine, begun in 1966, is written and published quarterly by students at Rabun Gap –Nacoochee School. The museum offers a self-guided tour through an authentic village showing the trades of early settlers.

Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts – located just outside Dillard, GA. This artist community and residency program teaches basket weaving, offers visual art, design, writing, music, and dance. The Center offers visitors’ tours of Barker’s Creek Gristmill, artist talks, nature hikes, and many other special events.

Dillard, GA - is just a few miles north is famous for it’s family-style meals at the Dillard House Restaurant. Serving since 1917, the restaurant was established by the family that earned the title of the earliest documented white settlers in 1794. Shop in one of the many antique stores or discover the Hoojah Branch Indian burial mound, which is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, located one mile east of Dillard.

Sky Valley, GA – provides a spectacular scenic drive on Highway 246 to look back over the Chattahoochee National Forest lands covering more than sixty acres of Rabun County and get a taste of the aerial perspective from several roadside or trail lookouts. Georgia’s highest city, with an average elevation of 3,500 ft., is home to Sky Valley Golf and Country Club, which features an 18-hole championship public golf course.

Clayton, GA - offers that “Hometown Feeling” that every visitor will enjoy. Stroll leisurely through the local shops that feature the best in art, antiques, books, furniture, gifts, wine and so much more! Dine at one of the fine restaurants and stay at cozy in town accommodations or golfing resorts.