Gilmer County and Ellijay Information

Local Activities

Hillcrest Orchards has many wonderful apple houses where you can purchase apples, fresh local produce, and boiled peanuts. Hillcrest Orchards also offers a petting zoo.
Bert's Pumpkin Patch is the place to purchase beautiful pumpkins and gourds, take a hayride, and sample delicious cakes and pumpkin rolls.

Carters Lake in Ellijay offers excellent opportunities for both fishing and boating. The lake is 3,200 acres in size and 450 feet deep, and is stocked with bass, crappie, walleye, bream and catfish.
Lake Blue Ridge is also popular with boaters and anglers.

Eagle Mountain General Store offers tubing and kayaking trips on the Ellijay River. It is located outside of the Eagle Mountain gate at the Coosawattee River Resort
Cartecay River Experience has tubing and kayaking trips on the Cartecay River located on Hwy 52 East.

Fort Mountain State Park, enjoy a scenic and winding drive on Hwy 52W up the mountain to the park.
Amicalola Falls State Park features a 729 ft. waterfall and the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

North Georgia Waterfalls are located in Lumpkin, Banks, Dawson, Union, Fannin, Gilmer, Rabun, Towns, Stephens, Habersham, Murray, White, Walker, Pickens and Dade Counties.

Whitepath Golf Club and Pro Shop - 18 Hole Public Golf Course off Hwy 515 - Call 706-276-3080 for more information.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway passengers alongside the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to McCaysville.

Swan Drive-In was built in 1955, and is one of the three remaining drive-in theatres left in Georgia, offering first-run movies year-round.

Ellijay Apple Festival is held the second and third weekends in October. There is a car show the first weekend and a parade the second, plus lots of arts, crafts, music and good eats.
Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race couples hike, bike, run and kayak in this physically challenging competition.
Arts in the Park over 200 arts and craft booths on Memorial Weekend.
Marble Festival is held in early October. Enjoy arts, crafts and a chance to tour the marble quarry.
Sorghum Festival is held 2 weekends in the fall and features a parade, arts, crafts and contests
Bear on the Square is held in April with lots of blue grass music and an artist's marketplace.
Georgia Wine Country Festival is held in June and is a chance to sample local wines and listen to great music.
Gold Rush Days is held in October with 300 arts and crafts exhibitors.

Apple Turnovers - This is a simple recipe of my Mother's is always a hit at church socials.
Jodie's Apple Cake - During apple season, my wife makes this cake by the dozens to share with clients and neighbors. It's moist and delicious!
Cranberry-Apple Crumble - It wouldn't be Thanksgiving at our house without this sweet/tart dessert.

Blackberry Mountain is a private, gated subdivision with access to the Cartecay River and Blackberry Falls. This wooded, rustic community has a covered bridge entrance and underground utilities.
Coosawattee River Resort is a popular community with approximately 8,500 acres and 2,100 homes. Amenities include 24/7 security, river access, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and basketball courts, stocked fishing pond, putt-putt, walking trails, and a recreation center with weight room and game room.
Walnut Mountain is a gated mountain community with approximately 1,100 acres and 370 homes. There are four community lakes, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and walking trails.
Lucky Hollow Farms is a 58-acre green-space community located within minutes of shopping areas. There are lovely wooded and mountain view lots, paved streets, underground utilities, and public water. Lots are 3/4 acres and larger.