Happy Fall Y’all!
This is my favorite time of year – aside from pumpkin-spice everything (yes, I admit it, I am hooked!), the countdown to cold weather brings some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country. This time of year sees a ton of people flocking to the north Georgia mountains to take in the colors of the season. This region is packed with plenty of places to enjoy the most majestic fall views, from our incredible state parks to our scenic small towns. Each of these destinations is worthy of a weekend visit on its own, but if you don’t have time for an overnight stay, try to spend at least an afternoon at one of these spots and experience our glorious fall scenery.
Most years, the mountain leaves just begin to turn at the end of September, and are revealed in their most glorious hues from mid-October to mid-November. Dedicated “leaf-lookers” will want to check with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on their web page, aptly named “Leaf Watch,” for up-to-date info on the fall color and the state parks that best display it.
So grab a latte to go (pumpkin spice, what else?) and head to North Georgia to take in all those vibrant reds, oranges and golds.
1. Helen, White County
With its authentic Bavarian culture and old-world German architecture, this picturesque mountain town draws visitors from all over the world, especially in the fall. There are several places to enjoy the changing of the leaves around Helen, making it an ideal spot to spend a fall weekend.
Unicoi State Park offers several spots to experience fall color, including a 53-acre lake situated between picturesque mountain peaks. Hiking trails to Helen and Anna Ruby Falls provide an up-close experience with fall foliage. Want to see the changing leaves from above? Parts of the park are equipped suspension bridges with amazing views and zip lines so you can fly through the colorful canopy.
Located on the Unicoi Turnpike just south of Helen, the Historic Hardman Farm is a historic farm landscape with views of nearby Yonah Mountain. Best known for its gazebo-topped Native American burial mound in a nearby pasture, Hardman Farm is situated to provide visitors with a view of the rolling countryside with its dazzling display of vibrant autumn leaves.
Visitors can spend a quiet day taking in the secluded fall beauty of Smithgall Woods State Park. Teeming with a diverse variety of nature, from its trees to its waters to its wildlife, this park a perfect place to picnic, hike and fish. Take the scenic path to enjoy the fall foliage surrounding Dukes Creek Falls.
2. Dahlonega, Lumpkin County
The storybook town of Dahlonega is known for its mountain setting and scenic views. Spend time here strolling the historic square and taking in the surrounding scenery, which offers an up-close look at the fall foliage in all of its colorful glory in this season. As Dahlonega is the heart of Georgia’s wine country, visit one or more of the wineries in the area and enjoy a wine tasting or two. Fall is harvest season, after all.
Located just outside of Lumpkin County, Amicalola Falls State Park is home to the state’s highest waterfall. The top of the falls offers a most impressive view of the vibrant colors dotting the Blue Ridge Mountains. A result of the mountains’ dry soil, the flaming red leaves are visible for miles around. The falls are accessible from a trail that winds along a series of bridges and wooden walkways. You can also take the drive to the top just to admire the view.
Nearby Chattahoochee National Forest heralds the beginning of the Appalachian trail, and both driving and hiking tours are available to view the brilliant colors of fall, a colorful treat that starts at the lofty peaks of the mountains and making its way down into the valleys.
3. Blue Ridge, Fannin County
Some 40 percent of this county’s land is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, allowing Blue Ridge to be considered one of the most scenic towns in North Georgia. This popular mountain destination, which has retained a small-town feel despite its popularity with tourists, offers plenty of spots to take in the colors of fall. Due to its varied elevations, the leaf-looking season lasts for over a month in Blue Ridge, making it one of the best places to enjoy the brilliant fall foliage.
For a fun and unique way to enjoy the vibrant fall landscape, look no further than the Blue Ridge Railway. You can choose to experience the crisp fall breezes from the open-air cars or enjoy the view from the windows of its climate-controlled enclosed cars. You can enjoy the burnished mountain scenery during a leisurely trip along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge north to Tennessee, with a layover in McCaysville, Georgia.
Of course, I couldn’t mention Blue Ridge without including a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the best places to see fall colors, the Parkway provides travelers with breathtaking scenic views. There are stops along the way where you can take in mountain vistas for more than 50 miles away on clear days. Since the Parkway also varies in elevation, you are almost guaranteed a colorful display of fall foliage.
4. Tallulah Gorge State Park, Habersham County
One of the Southeast’s most popular natural attractions, Tallulah Gorge is close to two miles long and 1,000 feet deep. To protect the natural resources of the canyon, only 100 people per day are allowed to hike to the canyon floor. The lucky few are treated to one of the most scenic ways to experience the park’s beauty in the fall by way of the Sliding Rock Trail. Other trails overlooking the popular Hurricane Falls provide impressive vistas of the canyon and a swinging suspension bridge allows braver visitors to experience colorful fall scenery in every direction.
If you happen to be visiting in November, you can watch as the park releases water from the falls that flows at a roaring rate while kayakers battle the whitewater rapids.
5. Clayton, Rabun County
From its prime location at the base of the lush Smoky Mountains, the quaint city of Clayton provides stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges in all their fall glory. Since Rabun County boasts the highest concentration of waterfalls in the state of Georgia, there is no shortage of picturesque walks and hikes in the area. A trio of scenic lakes provide yet more photo-worthy locations to view the colors of fall.
Nearby Black Rock Mountain State Park has the distinction of being Georgia’s highest state park, whose summit boasts beautiful, long-range views of the Blue Ridge mountains arrayed in a blanket of fall colors. Several scenic overlooks provide ample opportunities to take long-range autumn vistas.
If hiking isn’t for you, you can take in the fall colors up close on horseback. The horse does most of the work so you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountain trails and streams this time of year. Several stables in the area provide tours of the local scenery.
Don’t Forget!
If you are going enjoy outdoor activities this fall, be sure to pack appropriate fall equipment for your activity, including safety gear. Fall weather conditions can possibly cause some of the trails to become unsafe or difficult to navigate, and it’s hard to enjoy the beauty of fall when you’re lost or injured.
Be sure to visit North Georgia for the best autumn views and most unique places to enjoy the fall foliage. Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite spots!
*This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am deeply grateful) at no cost to you.
Shop my travel favorites here!
