Towns County: Mountain Views, Lake Chatuge and Culture in Georgia

Towns County combines impressive elevations, expansive waterscapes and a wide range of discoveries. Brasstown Bald, the Appalachian Trail and Lake Chatuge offer different focal points for planning your trip. There are also historic sites, art, events and special nature experiences. If you are looking for a vacation rental in Towns County, it helps to first decide whether hiking, water, culture or a combination of these should be the focus of your vacation days.

Mountains, Hiking Trails and Nature Experiences

At 4,784 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald is the highest mountain in Georgia. From the observation platform, the view extends 360 degrees; on clear days, four states can be seen. The summit is also home to an 8,000-square-foot museum with interactive exhibits on cultural and natural history. From the parking area, you can reach the summit either by shuttle or via the 0.5-mile Summit Trail.

The Appalachian Trail also shapes the landscape. In Towns County, there are several access points, including Unicoi Gap, Dicks Creek Gap and access via the Jack’s Knob Trail. The Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail is 78 miles long and runs from Springer Mountain to Bly Gap, where the trail continues into North Carolina. In 2001, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy designated Towns County an Appalachian Trail Community.

For shorter or longer days in nature, the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens offer 1- and 2-mile loop trails through more than 40 acres of secluded woodland. More than 400 rhododendron varieties and 3,000 plants grow there in total. The gardens aim to inform the public about native species and rhododendron varieties. The Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area covers 19,000 acres in Towns County on U.S. Forest Service land. Another route option is the loop from Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa into the Chattahoochee National Forest and back: it is 6.5 miles long, with an additional 2.5-mile loop.

The hike to High Shoals Falls and Blue Hole Falls is 2.5 miles long and leads through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Blue Hole Falls is the first waterfall on this hike and drops more than 20 feet into a deep, blue pool. At mile 1.35, a waterfall plunges 50 feet in several cascades into a deep pool.

Lake Chatuge and Water Experiences

Lake Chatuge was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1942 and has 132 miles of shoreline. Opportunities there include boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing and camping. Towns County Recreational Beach offers free parking and beach access. A white-sand beach and a swimming area marked off by buoys make it a clearly defined destination for a day by the water.

In Tate City, water and landscape come together in a different way: trout fishing is possible on the Tallulah River, and there are also hiking trails through the area's unspoiled landscape. Which vacation rental is right for you therefore depends primarily on whether you want to spend most of your travel days on trails, by the lake or at cultural attractions. The different trail lengths and types of experiences make it easier to plan varied daily itineraries.

Culture, History and Special Discoveries

The summit of Bell Mountain was donated to Towns County and officially designated Bell Mountain Park and Historical Site on February 18, 2016. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee host concerts and festivals year-round. The Georgia Fall Festival includes musical performances, arts and crafts, carnival rides and special attractions.

Old Rock Jail served as the county jail from 1936 until the early 1970s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Those wishing to include regional culinary culture in their plans can find a winery tour, wine tasting, souvenir glass, and cheese and cracker plate on Crane Creek Vineyards' Vintner's Tour.

Additional cultural destinations range from the Campus Gate Art Gallery to the Rollins Planetarium. The gallery presents exhibitions by nationally recognized professional artists, the annual Student Juried Art + Design Exhibition and a Senior Thesis Exhibition. The exhibitions typically include free opening receptions for guests from the college and the local community. The Rollins Planetarium offers public shows and educational programs beneath a 40-foot dome with 104 seats. On special evenings, weather and skies permitting, the Young Harris College Observatory hosts public telescope viewings.

Discover Places Within Towns County

For further orientation, you can visit the location pages for Hiawassee and Young Harris. In the same broader section, you will also find Carroll County, Cobb, Muscogee, Toombs, Washington County and Fannin County.

To the broader travel overview: Georgia.