Page 38 - Blairsville NCG 2024

Water & Parks

– By Nature

The raw nature of Blairsville is phenomenal:
verdant forests, cascading waterfalls, clear and
placid lakes, and radiant sunrises and sunsets
that brighten and dim the mountain landscapes.

By Lydia Cobb

Helton Creek Falls
O ne of Union County’s cherished Vogel State Park The upper falls cascades over a rocky

places is Lake Nottely within the
outcrop. Boulders and fallen trees line
Get ready to hike, swim, fish, lie on
Chattahoochee National Forest.
It’s one of the best freshwater fishing the sandy beach after a summer swim, the waterfall’s base, where water collects
and camp or bring R/Vs to Vogel State
briefly in a shallow pool before spilling
destinations in the Southeast. The reservoir Park, because that’s how diverse activities downstream to form the lower falls.
features a swimming beach and camping are for everyone here. This is a place that Mosses and ferns thrive with a living
area and the Tennessee Valley Authority welcomes people to stay overnight to green vibrance in contrast to the fallen
(TVA) also manages trails adored by enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities. old-growth hemlock trees underneath.
mountain bikers and hikers. Vogel becomes a focal point during the Take caution, as the rocks are deceptively
Poteete Creek Campground is on the refreshing autumn season due to its slippery around these falls. It’s a
shores of Lake Nottely and operated by stunning beauty. You can also wed here
Union County. The campground welcomes at Vogel, with reservations. picturesque attraction in Georgia, inviting
RVers and tent campers and provides access you to linger and savor the beauty.
to a swimming area, fishing, playground, Helton Creek Falls
bathhouses, and other amenities. A swim at the base of a waterfall
The lake reservoir is 20 miles long in the summer? Count us in. Helton
and offers a deep-country experience Creek Falls is just south of Vogel State
for boaters as most of the shoreline Park. The double waterfall is an easy,
is federally protected national forest. 0.8-mile round-trip into the forest filled
The State of Georgia regularly stocks the with mixed hardwoods, coniferous trees,
lake with rainbow trout, crappie, and and rhododendron.
various types of bass – playing host to Helton Creek Falls Trail gradually
bass fishing tournaments. descends into the valley following Helton
Between June 1 and Labor Day all the Creek. Through the trees you can see
TVA reservoirs are filled for recreational faraway views of the upper and lower falls
uses. Alternately, reservoirs must be on the tumbling creek with rivulets of
managed so that the riverbeds below their water sliding through a beautiful, hemlock-
dams don’t dry out. filled and mossy creek valley.
Bookmark this important website for The hike reaches the upper waterfall
lake levels: tva.com/environment/lake-levels viewing platform at just over 0.3 mile.

34 Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce