Page 15 - Dahlonega NCG 2016

recreation DAHLONEGA
I T’S P U R E G O L D
Contact the Blue Ridge Ranger
District office at (706) 745-6928
to determine whether the mineral
rights of a stream are publicly
or privately owned or if any
restrictions have been placed on
the stream.
Rock Collecting
Avid rock hounds and amateur
geologists will discover a treasure
trove within the Chattahoochee
National Forest, with the
wide variety of sedimentary,
metamorphic, and igneous rock
types and minerals found in the
area. Special permission, permits,
or fees are not required to take
a handful of rock, mineral, or
petrified wood specimens from
the surface of national forest
lands as long as significant surface fields, softball fields, batting
disturbance does not occur. For
more information, contact the
Blue Ridge Ranger District office at behind the Community Center.
(706) 745-6928.
Lake Sidney Lanier
Lake Sidney Lanier is one of the
most popular lakes in the nation.
More than 7.5 million visitors
annually enjoy its 692 miles of
shoreline while camping, fishing,
hiking, and more. A boat access
ramp and a recreation area are
available at Lumpkin County Park,
8.5 miles east of Dahlonega.
13 Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber and Visitors Bureau • (800) 231-5543 • www.dahlonega.org
Camping at Unicoi State Park
• PARKS AND RECREATION •
The City of Dahlonega has
delightful public parks. City of
Dahlonega Park, adjoining City
Hall at 427 Riley Rd., provides a
walking trail, two covered picnic
areas, and children’s playground
equipment. Hancock Park, located
near downtown Dahlonega,
features a wood and timber
pavilion perfect for concerts and
special events.
Adjacent to the Dahlonega
City Park is the Lumpkin County
Community Center at 365 Riley
Rd. This is a 24,000 square-foot
community center with a full size
basketball court, stage and several
multi-purpose/banquet rooms
available for rental. A 60-acre
sports complex includes baseball
cage, all adjacent to the Lumpkin
County Senior Center located
Yahoola Creek Park, at 1166
Captain McDonald Rd., features
a 1.5-mile walking trail with
two outdoor pavilions as well
as a playground, birthday party
pavilion, tennis courts, baseball
fields, softball fields, soccer fields, amenities and convenient comforts,
a disc golf course and an outdoor
classroom, as well as concession
and restroom facilities. Picnic areas
with picnic tables are located along
beautiful Yahoola Creek.
Lumpkin County Parks and
Recreation also maintains a
public swimming pool at 56
Mechanicsville Rd. and a
2.8-mile walking trail around
Lake Zwerner that begins at
1680 Morrison Moore Pkwy.
• Lumpkin County Parks and
Recreation Department
365 Riley Rd.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
(706) 864-3622
www.lumpkincounty.gov
• AREA STATE PARKS •
Amicalola Falls
State Park and Lodge
Just a short drive from
Dahlonega is one of Georgia’s
most admired and visited state
parks – Amicalola Falls State Park.
Amicalola is a Cherokee word that
means “tumbling waters” and refers
to the 729-foot waterfall located
at the park – the tallest east of the
Mississippi River.
An 8.5-mile approach trail
leads from the park to Springer
Mountain at the southern
terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Numerous other trails are also
available for shorter hikes.
The stunning lodge is popular
with guests who prefer first-class
while a 5-mile hike leads to a one-
of-a-kind lodging experience at the
Len Foote Hike Inn.
• Amicalola Falls
and State Park Lodge
418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd.
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(800) 753-9656
http://gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls
Smithgall Woods State
Park and Cottages
Dukes Creek, North Georgia’s
premier trout stream, runs through
this 5,664-acre property and is
perfect for catch-and-release fishing.
Five miles of trails and 18 miles of
roads allow hikers and bicyclists
to explore. Trout fishing is offered
only on certain days.
The cottages at Smithgall Woods
provide an elegant mountain
retreat perfect for romantic
getaways, intimate weddings,
and outings with friends. Five
beautifully decorated cottages
provide a total of 14 bedrooms
with private baths and modern
amenities. A 1-mile trail leads from
the cottages to Dukes Creek Falls.
• Smithgall Woods
State Park and Cottages
61 Tsalaki Trail
Helen, GA 30545
(706) 878-3087
http://gastateparks.org/
SmithgallWoods
Unicoi State
Park and Lodge
Situated on 1,063 acres between
the Chattahoochee National Forest
and the Alpine village of Helen,
Unicoi State Park is a secluded
retreat for business meetings, family
gatherings, or retreats. Hiking
boots are the preferred mode of
transportation at Unicoi State Park,
the ultimate retreat for those fishing
for an outdoor adventure.
The lodge boasts spacious
conference rooms and 100 guest
rooms with mountain views.
Guests can enjoy the park’s 12
miles of nature and hiking trails,
lake and trout stream fishing,
lit tennis courts, softball and
volleyball areas, picnic facilities,
mountain biking, and a year-round
schedule of activities.
• Unicoi State Park and Lodge
1788 Hwy. 356
Helen, GA 30533
(800) 573-9659
www.unicoilodge.com
• GOLF •
The scenic North Georgia
Mountains make a truly sublime
setting for a round of golf.
Dahlonega’s challenging courses
offer rolling hills, lush fairways,
and sparkling lakes and streams.
Players of all skill levels will delight
in nature’s beauty while enjoying
world-class golf facilities. Achasta
residential golf community is a
proud supporter of the Dahlonega-
Lumpkin County Chamber
of Commerce.