About Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge, Georgia, enjoys an enviable position. Located in Fannin County in the southernmost reach of the Appalachian Mountains, Blue Ridge is just 90 minutes north of Atlanta, within a day's drive of five Southeastern states. The Blue Ridge countryside is richly blessed: 106,000 acres of national forest, more than 100 miles of rivers and streams and Lake Blue Ridge, a 3,290-acre crystal clear, freshwater playground.
Sixteen driving tours are reason enough to savor the scenery. Winding mountain lanes and hidden hollows reveal their secrets to those willing to explore. Tucked throughout the landscape are North Georgia cabin rentals where visitors can fully enjoy the Blue Ridge experience.
Traces of the Past, The Appalachian Mountains possess a mysterious beauty. The oldest mountains on earth, they are at once ancient and timeless. This land has attracted people for generations - from Cherokee Indians who hunted its forests to Scotch-Irish settlers who carved a hardscrabble existence and unique culture from the frontier. The town of Blue Ridge was incorporated in 1887. Timber and railroad companies arrived soon after, followed by "healing waters" tourism, which drew city dwellers attracted to the mountain climate and mineral springs.
Seasonal Scenes, Throughout the year, the vistas and valleys around Blue Ridge captivate visitors with ever-changing views. Spring explodes with dogwood, red bud and azalea blossoms. Lush shades of leafy emerald cloak the forests in summer. Autumn covers the hills with a patchwork quilt of gold, red and purple. Snowfall dusts the mountains with white delicacy in the lavender light of winter.
Making Memories in the Great Outdoors, With 106,000 acres located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Blue Ridge, Georgia is a natural for outdoor recreation. Terrain is challenging enough for mountain biking, back country hiking or forest canopy zip line rides. In other areas, gentler topography allows beginner-level hikes, hunting, horseback rides and U-pick orchard outings. North Georgia rental cabins make an excellent base for outdoor adventures.
The mountains around Blue Ridge are beautifully balanced by water. The Toccoa, Jacks/Conasauga and Ellijay Rivers flow here, as do mountain streams. These waterways secure Fannin's "Trout Capital of Georgia" title. Beyond fishing, they are fun places to canoe, kayak, raft or tube. A destination for boaters, fishermen and jet skiers, Lake Blue Ridge is one of the few southern lakes with walleye, a fish usually found in the Great Lakes.
In Blue Ridge, it's easy to achieve balance between active pursuits and pure relaxation. And everyone agrees on the best way to end a Blue Ridge day...gathered around a fire or soaking in a hot tub with family and friends, sharing stories and memories.
Momentum on Main, Inspired by the natural beauty and small town atmosphere, artists, chefs and entrepreneurs are infusing Blue Ridge with creativity. Downtown is an incubator for innovative cuisine, microbreweries and wine bars serving locally-crafted food and libations. Sophisticated boutiques thrive alongside shops selling traditional crafts. The Art Center and Blue Ridge Community Theater contribute to the thriving cultural scene.
Even as Blue Ridge evolves, some things remain unchanged: The town's unpretentious, pioneer spirit. The honest patina of historic buildings. The iconic Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that delights new generations of children. A Mayberry RFD attitude that appreciates life at the pace of a porch swing.
What the Locals Love...
- Chicken breakfast biscuits at The Trailer
- Tailgating at The Swan Drive-In
- Spotting wildlife while hiking the Aska Adventure Area trails
- Fly fishing on the Toccoa River
