Page 39 - Blairsville

Room to roam enjoy the diversity of native wildflow- pool and kids’ “splash pad.” Paddlers
gain convenient river access at the
ers, plants and trees.
kayak/canoe launch. An 18-hole disc RECREATION
for people who love to play Helton Creek Falls: Take the short golf course winds through the park
walk as it tapers down into a mountain and features concrete tee boxes, and
cove that leads to a multi-level miles of walking and hiking trails take
lairsville-Union County Coopers Creek Recreation Area: cascading waterfall. The lower falls visitors past unique art installations. In
is filled to the brim with Quiet and hidden, remote Coopers drops over a 30-foot ledge, tumbling addition to a refurbished grist mill,
amazing natural resources, Creek in Suches beckons you to enjoy to a pool below. The trail ends at an the park also has a fully functioning
B B attracting both visitors and flowers blooming in the spring and observation deck showcasing the sorghum mill, making it a perfect set ting
residents into an active outdoor life- leaves turning in the fall. Hike miles of upper falls, which drops at least 60 for the annual Blairsville Sorghum
style. With so many parks, preserves easy-to-moderate trails, or hunt, camp feet. Bring a bathing suit and towel for Festival each fall. The Butternut Creek
and points of interest, the hardest part and fish. Coopers Creek and nearby a quick dip in the hot summer months. Festival and the Blairsville Scottish
might be choosing where to start! Mulky Creek are both wild- and Festival & Highland Games are held in
stocked-trout streams. Lake Winfield Scott: Seeking solitude? the park each summer.
CHOOSE AN ADVENTURE Head south from Blairsville on GA 180
Sunup to sundown, spring, summer, Georgia Mountain Research & to the small town of Suches and Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi:
fall or winter, you will never run out of Education Center: Established in 18-acre Lake Winfield Scott. Built by The stone building of the Walasi-Yi
things to do and places to go. 1930, this 445-acre center provides the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Interpretive Center has been standing
assistance to local farmers, with 1930s, this quiet gem is open year- at Neels Gap on the Appalachian Trail
Anna Ruby Falls: Located about 30 information about the USDA Zone 7A round. Sit on the sandy beach, fish the since it was built by the CCC in 1937.
miles southeast of Blairsville, Anna region’s distinct soil and climate. The freshwater lake, boat, camp, picnic, continued on next page
Ruby Falls attracts thousands of center hosts UGA graduate students, hike and swim.
visitors each year with its paved trail, holds educational seminars and
visitor center, gift shop, picnic spots, maintains a public garden. Meeks Park: Both
fishing, public programs and activities. Butternut Creek and the
Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge: Nottely River meander
Brasstown Bald: At an elevation of Located on the shores of Lake Chatuge, through the shady oaks
4,784 feet, the views are breathtaking this 20+ acre woodland garden boasts of the park, located about
from the state’s tallest mountain. You 1,500 rhododendrons and native a mile west of Blairsville
can see North Carolina, South Carolina, azaleas — the largest collection in the and straddling both sides
Tennessee and even downtown southeast. The bloom season runs of Highway 515. The park
Atlanta on a clear day. Tackle the steep, from mid-April to mid-May, when the is home to baseball and
paved trail to the top, or simply take botanical garden bursts forth with softball fields, as well as
the shuttle. The Visitors Center thousands of flowers in all colors, tennis courts, a dog park,
includes a museum and presentations shapes and sizes. You can take a playground, skateboard
on forestry in North Georgia. leisurely stroll anytime, however, to park, seasonal swimming Vogel State Park – photo: Scott Anna

BLAIRSVILLE-UNION COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | 877-745-5789 | VisitBlairsvilleGA.com | 37