DAHLONEGA AND HELEN

The mountains of Northern Georgia are one of our most favorite adventures, from hunting for gold in Dahlonega to tubing the Hooch in Helen. It’s all good!

Dahlonega makes for a good adventure base. Be warned though, as the Appalachian Trail Days celebrations fill the town in March. The starting point for the south-north trekkers of the Appalachian trail is at Springer Mountain- reached from Amicalola Falls State Park.

Things to do around DAHLONEGA

CONSOLIDATED GOLD MINE

Grab a hard hat and descend into a gold mine in the heart of Dahlonega.

DOWNTOWN DAHLONEGA

Artsy Downtown Dahlonega is great to explore & grab a meal. Visit the Gold Museum, the Lumpkin County Jail, the candy shoppe or linger over a pint at the Irish pub.

TUBING

If you can’t wait for the hour drive north to Helen, try the shorter tube trips on the Chestatee River in Dahlonega.

AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK

A short drive north will take you to starting point of the Appalachain Trail.

THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

And while you’re in the Dawsonville WMA, check out the rapids on the Edge of the World hike.

DEVIL’S ELBOW

Bring a pole and wade into the local swimming hole.

DICK’S CREEK FALLS

North of Dahlonega (towards Helen) is another local swimming favorite, look for the WMA sign and head up. The road narrows and turns to rough gravel.

RAVEN CLIFFS TRAIL

Hike the 7 miles (we’re still arguing that) through the Chattahoochee National Forest to Raven Cliffs Falls. A good family hike with opportunities to play in the creek.

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And a short hop (north) away is the little Germanic town of Helen–

We stopped for a swim at Dick’s Creek and lunch at Turner’s Corner on our way to Helen. At last visit that neat little restaurant on Turner’s Corner was closed 🙁

Things to do around HELEN:

TUBING

Choose pink or green and shoot the (lightweight) rapids of the Chattahoochee River.

ANNA RUBY FALLS

Take a hike through the woods of Unicoi State Park to waterfalls. A one mile trail connects Helen to Unicoi State Park.

HOFER’S BAKERY

A trip to Helen is not complete without breakfast at Hofer’s German bakery (I hear lunch is good too!)

8758 North Main Street, Helen, GA 30545

DUKE’S CREEK FALLS

South of Helen, near the Smithgall Woods Conservation area (Take the Russell- Brasstown National Scenic Highway UP). 2.5 Mile hike (round trip).View of falls & Duke’s Creek.