Jul 31, 2020
trail

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Dahlonega, Georgia, is known for its scenic outdoor beauty, and you can get outside and enjoy this beauty for yourself in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking to spend some time on a trail or on the water, you’ll have a great time participating in these outdoor activities around Dahlonega.

Hiking

Hiking is an incredibly popular activity near Dahlonega. You can make the two-mile trek on the Appalachian Trail to the top of Springer Mountain for gorgeous summit views. In addition to the Appalachian Trail, the 300-mile Benton MacKaye Trail is another good long-distance trail you can explore near Dahlonega. If you love waterfalls, don’t miss the chance to visit Amicalola Falls State Park and hike to Amicalola Falls, which is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

Biking

If you like to ride your bike, you’ll find opportunities for both mountain biking and road cycling. Dahlonega hosts the yearly Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty biking competition, which is considered one of the toughest rides in the southeast. If you can’t sign up for the official competition, you can still enjoy the same course on your own. To test your mountain biking skills, head to the Chattahoochee National Forest and tackle some of the 36 miles of recreational trails there. You’ll find plenty of trails that vary in length from 4.5 miles to 20 miles.

Paddling

The Etowah and Chestatee Rivers both run near Dahlonega and provide plenty of opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. The Etowah River tends to be smaller and quicker than the Chestatee River, which makes it more of a challenge. Yahoola Creek is another great waterway to explore. One of the best access points for Yahoola Creek is in Yahoola Creek Park. If you launch your canoe or kayak from the park, you can follow the twists and turns of the creek for 2.2 miles until it empties into the Chestatee River.

Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to get outside in Dahlonega. Whether you’re looking for an RV park or a primitive campsite, you’ll find plenty of choices in the area. Etowah River Campground is within walking distance of the Etowah River and offers 59 RV sites and 26 tent sites. Chattahoochee National Forest also has numerous camping options. Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area has several sites centered around the beautiful 18-acre Lake Winfield Scott. Other good options include the Morganton Point Campground and DeSoto Falls Recreation Area.

Fishing

Dahlonega has a variety of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that are perfect for fishing. Waters Creek is a trophy trout stream where you can fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Jones Creek is another good option that’s known for its native brown trout. If you like to fish in a lake, consider Lake Winfield Scott, which is stocked with rainbow trout. Dockery Lake is also stocked with trout and is a great lake for fishing with kids.

When you’re ready to get outside in Dahlonega, choose one of these exciting activities and have some fun enjoying everything the area has to offer.