Local Activities

 

Tellus Science Museum – Located just 38 minutes away off hwy 411 south, this hands on science museum showcases minerals, fossils and much more to fascinate people of all ages. Approximate 31 miles travel distance. 100 Tellus Dr. Cartersville, GA 30120, https://tellusmuseum.org  (770) 606-5700.

 

Panorama Orchards & Farm Market – A favorite with the locates and surrounding towns, many are able to choose from a variety of apples, pies and local baked goods, along with other homemade goodies. Estimated travel time28 minutes (23.4miles)  63 Talona Mountain Rd. Ellijay, GA 30536  https://panoramaorchards.com  (706)276-3813

Mercier Orchards

Calhoun Outlet Marketplace – 455 Belwood Rd, Calhoun, GA 30701 (706) 602-1305 https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/calhoun-outlet-marketplace

Chief Vann House – State Historic Site 82 Ga. Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 www.GeorgiaStateParks.org  (706)695-2598

Oak Hill & Martha Berry Museum –Tour this lovely 170-acre estate and home of Martha Berry, founder of Berry College. Beautiful Historic Home and Museum with breath taking gardens and vintage cars.  1hr 11 minutes (61.1 miles) Mount Berry, GA 30149 www.berry.edu/oakhill  (706)368-6789

Barnesley Gardens

Gibbs Gardens

Carters Lake Hiking Trail

Plan a day to explore the easy to moderate hiking trails around the lake. Great views of the lake, Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance, the wildlife, the lush flora and fauna.

 

Hidden Pond Songbird Trail (easy) – Located at the Carters Lake South Regulation Park, this is a mile loop.  Along the trail there are several wildlife viewing blinds, a beaver pond, grassy meadow and hardwood forest. Expect to spend an hour enjoying the scenery. Distance from the marina is 5.0 miles.

 

Big Acorn Nature Trail (easy) – The trail starts at the Visitor Center and ends at a lake-view overlook. The shortest trail will take about thirty minutes, unless one continues to the connected Talking Rock Nature Trail. Distance from the marina is 1.4 miles.

Talking Rock Nature Trail (moderate) – Just past the entrance of the Northbank Park, the hiking trail is the longest and most strenuous. A two mile round trip, leads hikers through winding hardwood and pine ridges with a variety of views of a wet-weather stream. Plan about two hours to enjoy all the sites of interest. Distance from the marina is 1.4 miles.

Amadahy Trail (easy to moderate) – Located off Hwy 282/76 the parking is just off a short dead spur road, approximately 3.2 miles after turning onto Woodring Branch Recreation Area. The trail is a 3.5 mile loop with two small streams and a great view of the lake. Estimated time spent is around 2 hours. Distance from the marina is 17 miles.

Tumbling Waters Nature Trail (easy to moderate) – Located in Ridgeway Park, the trail is a little over a mile in distance, takes about an hour and a half to hike. The trail features a hike through the native mountainous foliage ending at the cascading waters of Tails Creek. Distance from the marina is 23 miles. (706)334-2248 http://carters.sam.usace.army.mill/    

 

Amicalola Falls State Park – The Park is well known for its majestic 729 foot waterfall. Hiker of all ranges can enjoy nature along the winding walking and hiking trails. Travel time is estimated 1 hour (44.1 mile). 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534. https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com  (706) 265-8888

 

 

Fort Mountain State Park – With over 25 miles of trails, the avid hiker can take in the views of valleys and peaks of the mountain, maybe even catch a glimpse of the native wildlife. Travel time 30 minutes (21.6 miles). 181 Fort Mountain State Park Rd. Chatsworth, GA 30705 http://gastateparks.org  (707)422-1932

 

Pinhoti Trail Sections 

A 335 mile trail of the Southern Appalachian Mountain located in Georgia and Alabama.  There many trailheads in Georgia counties, here are couple nearby.

Dennis Mill Trailhead (Moderate) – The Dennis Mill Trailhead is the newest section of the Pinhoti Trail. Plan ahead, the trail is about 10 from trail entrance Dennis Mill to Pinhoti Connector Trail located HWY 52 Fort Mountain State Park.  Travel time 16 minutes (11.9 miles). 1298 Dennis Mill Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 https://www.cohuttawildernesshiking.com/pinhoti-trail/index.html

Bear Creek Trail (Moderate) – The trail is used by both hikers and mountain bikers. Please give bikers plenty of room and the right-of-way. Plan to spend a few hours hiking the 6.7 mile loop or the lower 3 mile loop. Enjoy gazing up at the Gennett Popular,  be cautious crossing stream and be on the lookout for the wildlife. 241 Bear Creek Camp Rd, Ellijay, GA 30540 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10473  (706)297-3000

 

 

Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10465

Jacks River Trail & Beech Bottom Trail (Moderate) – Nestled in the Cohutta Wilderness this 16 mile trail winds through beautiful hardwoods along grassy riverbanks, leading to one of Georgia’s remote majestic waterfalls (about 9 miles from beginning of trail). A short cut to the falls is accessed from Beech Bottom Trail in Tennessee. 

Grassy Mountain Tower Trail at Lake Conasauga

 

Cloudland Canyon State Park  (Moderate to Difficult) – Although a little further away, this North West Georgia park hikers can hike the West Rim Loop or descend the trail to the bottom of the canyon to view the waterfall. Travel time 1hr 32 min (70.4 mi). 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd. Rising Fawn, GA 30738    http://gastateparks.org (706) 657-4050

River Street Tavern – One of Ellijay’s finest, they offer live music on weekends, with local brews and  burgers on the menu. Travel time 29 min (19.6 mi). 40 River St. Ellijay, GA 30540 http://riverstreettavern.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/riverstreettaveren.com (706) 635-6166

Pink Pig BBQ – Well-known pit-cooked BBQ and other menu items, local and tourist go away satisfied. Travel time37 min (28.7mi)  824 Cherry Log St, Cherry Log,  GA  30522   https://www.pinkpigcherrylog.com   (706) 276-3311

Last Catch – Offers seafood and Southern recipes. The family-owned restaurant is popular with the locals and a find for the tourist Distance 30 min (21.2 mi)   487 E Church St, Jasper, GA 30143 https://www.lastcatchseafood.com or https://www.menupix.com (706)692-0032

Little Rome – A Family friendly  restaurant serving fine Italian food. Just short 25 minute drive HWY 411 north in the scenic city of Chatsworth, Ga.  1201 N 3rd Ave, Chatsworth, GA  http://www.littleromeinc.com (706)695-7309

Engelheim Vineyards – A German themed winery and vineyard that offers wine tasting, vineyard & winery tours and much more. Travel time 17 min (11.5mi). 127 Lakeview Rd, Ellijay, GA 30540 https://wwwengelheim.com   (706) 635-9463

Cartecay Vineyards – Offers wine tasting, has local live music on weekends .Travel time 40 min (28.6mi) 5704 Clear Creek Rd. Ellijay, GA http://cartecayvingyards.com   (706) 698-9463

Fainting Goat – 201 Vineyard Way, Jasper, GA 30143 (706)692-9463 http://www.faintinggoatvineyardsandwinery.com/

Chateau Meichtry – 1862 Orchard Ln, Talking Rock, GA 30175 (706 )502-1608 https://www.chateaumeichtry.co/

Ott Farms and Vineyard  – 230 Henry Evans Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536 (706) 273-1891 https://www.ottfarmsandvineyardga.com/

Grapes and Ladders Vineyards – 2317 GA-382 W, Ellijay, GA 30540 (706) 492-9861 https://grapesandladdersvineyards.com/