Page 23 - Blairsville NCG 2025

• Things to Do

Area. The 18-acre lake was built by the
Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Year-round recreation opportunities include
camping, picnicking, boating, fishing,
swimming, and hiking around the tranquil
waters. From Blairsville take U.S. 19/129
south for 10 miles; turn right on GA Hwy.
180 for 7 miles.
Coopers Creek Recreation Area
is a gem in the Suches community. The
recreation area has miles of easy-to-
moderate hiking trails and areas in which
to hunt and fish. Coopers Creek and Mulky
Creek are notable trout streams with both
wild and stocked trout.
Helton Creek Falls offers a short walk
down into a mountain cove to a cascading
waterfall. The trail ends with an observation
deck where a swimming hole is available
when the temperature is right. Turn left on
Helton Creek Road just past the entrance
to Vogel State Park. Go 2.2 miles to a small
pullout parking area. Trailhead is on the right.

Vogel State Park
At the base of Blood Mountain in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest
is Vogel State Park. You are in one of Georgia’s oldest and most popular state
parks, renowned for satisfying hiking and stellar camping options. Stop in at
The Trading Post for snacks, souvenirs, and campsite reservations. The 22-acre Union County War Memorial Veterans Park
Lake Trahlyta is a haven for fishing and swimming. Take an easy lake loop hike
that leads to Trahlyta Falls, or the more challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry
Within the city limits of Blairsville, at the
Trail. Cottages, campsites, and primitive backpacking sites provide overnight
intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive
accommodation. gastateparks.org/vogel
and School Circle, the Union County War
Memorial Veterans Park was dedicated on
November 11, 1995. This memorial honors
the Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center at Neel destinations give outdoor seekers plenty of
the impact of 13 major wars of the county,
Gap, a building standing since the Civilian places to backpack, fish, and camp.
state, and nation. At its center stands a
Conservation Corps built it in 1937 – and Butternut Creek and the Nottely River
bronze eagle with a 44-inch wingspan –
when it completed the Appalachian Trail meander through Blairsville’s Meeks Park
symbolizing strength, unity, and courage
that runs through the building – the only outside of downtown. Meeks Park features
– perched atop a 9.5-foot black granite
place on the trail that goes through a man- the nearly one-mile Butternut Creek loop monument engraved with quotations
made structure where you can purchase trail, a seasonal splash pad, disc golf course,
from Shakespeare’s Henry V and Douglas
merchandise, clothing, and souvenirs. kayak and canoe launch, tennis courts, MacArthur. This eagle overlooks the 11
mountaincrossings.com softball fields, dog and skate parks, and granite pedestals honoring the 158 men and
Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest other amenities. unioncountyga.gov/ women from Union County who made the
point at half a mile above the surrounding parks-recreation/meeks-park ultimate sacrifice in service to our country
valleys. Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel Ascend to a high mountain valley that during wartime. Adjacent to the memorial are
State Park, and many other spectacular holds the Lake Winfield Scott Recreation eight flagpoles, flying the American, POW,

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