Fantastic daytrips for all visitors to and new residents of Blue Ridge Georgia and the North Georgia Mountains.

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John C. Campbell Folk School

This is a good day or half-day trip. The Folk School was founded in 1925, and offers classes on all aspects of mountain arts and crafts, including blacksmithing, woodworking, fiddling, and weaving. The campus is beautiful, and if you check in at the administration building, they will often give you permission to look in on classes. The crafts shop is an excellent source for gifts, as it features the juried work of local and regional artists and craftspeople. There is also a history center that features original photographs by Doris Ulmann. Contact the Folk School at 828.837.2775 or 800.365.5724. They can be reached on the web at www.folkschool.com .

The Folk School is in Brasstown, North Carolina. From Blue Ridge, Georgia, go east on the four-lane (515) approximately 6.2 miles to Loving Road. Turn left and go to the end of Loving Road. Turn left on 325, which will take you over Nottely Dam into Ivy Log. Turn left on 19/129. Shortly after you enter North Carolina, after about .7 miles, turn right on Martin Creek Road. After about 3.7 miles, turn right on Brasstown Road. The Folk School is on Brasstown Road, shortly before the little town of Brasstown. There are also a few shops in Brasstown, as well as a dirt track (auto racing).

Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald is Georgia’s highest mountain, and the view on clear days is spectacular. It’s a steep ½ mile hike up from the parking lot, but there is also a shuttle bus (for a fee). There is a visitor’s center on top with exhibits and interpretive programs. The visitor’s information center is 706.896.2556. The Heritage Association Bookstore is 706.896.3471.

From Blairsville, take 19/129 south for 8 miles. Turn left (east) onto Georgia 180. Go 9 miles to Georgia 180 Spur and turn left (north). Go three miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot.

Chickamauga Battlefield

In the fall of 1863, Confederate troops under Braxton Bragg attacked Union troops under the command of William Rosecrans near Jay’s Mill on the Chickamauga Creek. Due to a rare error by Rosecrans, there was a gap in the Federal line at exactly the point at which James Longstreets’ massed forces attacked. The right side of the Federal line crumbled. Although the Federal left, under George Thomas, held firm, Thomas was obliged to withdraw from the field after dark. It was to be the last great Confederate victory in the west. This was a battle on the scale and importance of the Battle of Gettysburg, but the Chickamauga Battlefield has not yet become commercialized in the way the town of Gettysburg is today. This is truly hallowed ground, and it has been maintained in much the same state as it was in 1863. It is well worth a visit for the lessons that it teaches.
The battlefield is divided by Tennessee 27. The easiest route from Blue Ridge is probably to take Hwy 5 from Blue Ridge to McCaysville/Copperhill. After you cross the river, continue through Copperhill on 68, past the old copper plant. At Ducktown, turn left on 64/74, and follow along the river past the Ocoee Whitewater Center. As you approach Cleveland, you will see signs for the bypass. Take the bypass toward Chattanooga, then join I-75 south at exit 20. When you reach the junction of I-75 and I-24 a little to the east of Chattanooga, continue south on 75 to Route 2, toward Fort Oglethorpe. When you reach 27, turn left (south) to the battlefield. You could also go through Ellijay, Chatsworth, and Dalton to reach I-75. You would then go north until you reach Route 2. Travel time from Blue Ridge would be about 1-1/2 hours.

Other Chattanooga attractions are Lookout Mountain and the aquarium.

Amicalola Falls State Park

This is the highest waterfall in Georgia (729 feet), and it is easily accessible by car. You can also hike to the top of the falls. It’s a very nice area for picnics or for short hikes. You can also try the creek for trout. Amicalola Falls is on the way to Dawsonville, in case you have a Nascar fan in the family (see below).

From Blue Ridge, take the four-lane south about 15 miles. Just before go over the Cartecay and reach the first traffic light in East Ellijay, turn left on the short access road that leads to Hwy. 52. Turn left on 52. The Cartecay is close to the road on the right. Continue on Hwy 52 about 15 miles to the Y with 183. You will see a sign for Amicalola Falls State Park. Turn left at the Y and the falls are a few miles up the road.

Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area

A double falls, with a good observation deck. The falls are less than a half mile from the parking lot. This is a good area for picnics, fishing, and short hikes.

Take the four-lane west to Blairsville. Then take 19/129 south, turning left on 348 (toward Helen). When you reach Alt. 75, turn north to Robertstown. Then take GA 356 for 1.5 miles toward Unicoi State Park. You will see a sign for Anna Ruby Falls. Turn left and continue 3.6 miles to the parking area.

Dahlonega

Dahlonega was the center of the great gold rush of 1828. The charming, historic town square centers on the old courthouse, which is now the gold museum. There are many interesting shops and galleries. There are also several attractions centered on the mining history of the town. You can visit www.dahlonega.org for an overview.

From Blue Ridge, go west on the four-lane approximately four miles to a right on Hwy 60 south. Follow 60 south through Morganton. This is a very scenic ride through the national forest. After you leave the little town of Suches, the road goes up through Woody Gap. Be sure to stop at the top to consider the views. After you go through Woody Gap, turn right on Hwy 19, following the signs to Dahlonega. For a change of pace, you can take Hwy 19 back to Blairsville instead of returning on Hwy. 60. Dahlonega is also close to the end of GA 400, making it possible to return to Atlanta after a day trip to Dahlonega.

Nascar Fan’s Trip to Dawsonville

The Thunder Road attraction is now closed, which leaves the famous Dawsonville Pool Room (which is not a bar). You can also stop at Amicalola Falls on the way.

There are lots of great stories about Dawsonville and Bill Elliott. Once upon a time, when Bill was in the Coors car, Dawsonville got a new school superintendent. Shortly after he was hired, he encountered a kid with a Bill Elliott T-shirt, and sent him home on the grounds that you can’t advertise beer in school. The kid tried to tell him that he wasn’t advertising beer, he was advertising Bill. But the superintendent wasn’t listening, and sent him home anyway. After the smoke cleared, this was the word from the new superintendent: “I lost that one, big time.”

From Blue Ridge, take the four-lane south about 15 miles. Just before go over the Cartecay and reach the first traffic light in East Ellijay, turn left on the short access road that leads to Hwy. 52. Turn left on 52. The Cartecay is close to the road on the right. Continue on Hwy 52 about 15 miles to the Y with 183. Take 183 to the Y with 53, and continue into Dawsonville. The Dawsonville Pool Room is on the right near the fire station. To reach the Thunder Road attraction, continue east on 53 (toward GA 400). The facility is on the left. You can continue along this road to go back to Atlanta on 400.