Fall is officially a couple of weeks away still, but we all seem to be looking forward to cooler weather, fires and all of the holidays and celebrations of autumn and winter. Hiking and camping become more enjoyable when you can get out in nature in beautiful cooler temperatures. Here are 3 things that make the fall season truly a magical time here in Blairsville and North Georgia: Leaves There isn’t much that is more amazing than when the trees drop their summer green and dress in cloaks of reds, golds and yellows for a few short weeks. The northern part of the country sees deep fall color earlier than we do here in the North Georgia Mountains but sometime around the third week of October is a good time to plan on seeing peak or near peak color. There are many great drives to see the colors change near Blairsville but a couple of our favorites are Hwy 76 thru Young Harris and Hiawassee over to Clayton and Hwy 180 all the way from Hwy 75 to Hwy 60 in Suches past Lake Winfield Scott.
Hiking There are possibly thousands of places to hike, camp or backpack but we will concentrate on the North Georgia area for now. Vogel State Park. This is Georgia’s oldest state park and it is definitely the most popular. It is south of Blairsville, Ga in Union County and sits at the bottom of Blood Mountain. You can hike several trails out of the park. There is a mile long nature loop or you can walk one mile around Lake Trahlyta. Looking for a challenge? Hike the Bear Hair Trail. At only four miles it is a moderate trail with a few harder spots. If you are a experienced hiker that wants a backcountry challenge there is the Coosa Trail. Vogel is also a wonderful place to set up your tent or RV. This is possibly the most beautiful area to see the leaves change in North Georgia. Arkaquah Trail. Also in Union County, this trail goes from the top of Brasstown Bald down to the Arkaquah trail head losing 1,500 feet in elevation as you go. You can, of course, climb this trail. Either way, it’s beautiful! Especially during the leaf change in the fall. Aska Trails. These trails are in gorgeous Fannin County and are 17 miles in length. You can bike and hike here. Trails vary in length from 1 to 5.5 miles and are suitable for most hikers. Brasstown Bald. The walk up to the tower is a hike in itself, but at the end of the parking lot you can take Jacks Knob trail up to the Appalachian Trail. There are many, many more places to explore in North Georgia, each one unique in it’s own way and absolutely stunning in the fall. Places like Meeks Park in Blairsville are perfect for the entire family. Let us know what your favorite hiking trail is. Fall Events This can be a fun time of year with the sun setting earlier and all the fall festivals going on all over North Georgia. Halloween is just around the corner with ghosts, pumpkins and all manner of spookiness. Hiking seems to be even more fun as the night settles in earlier. Below are some awesome fall events and festivals. Sorghum Festival – Blairsville, GA This event has been ongoing in Blairsville for 49 years! Events include a parade, syrup making, biscuit eating and much more. Always the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October. Parking is FREE! Blues and BBQ Festival – Blue Ridge, GA – Downtown Friday, September 14, 2018 and Saturday, September 15, 2018. Starts Friday evening at 7:00pm and continues through Saturday. Check out the Crawl on Friday that includes eight restaurants. Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze – Dawsonville, GA This is the most amazing place! Open now through November 18, 2018. 4 miles of trails in 12 acres of corn. Wagon rides and bonfires are just a small part of what Uncle Shuck’s offers. Georgia Fall Festival – Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, GA Arts, crafts, vendors and more! 9 days of fun in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. October 12-20, 2018 Needless to say – Fall in the mountains is pretty special. We forgot to mention college football and cozy fires! If you live here in the mountains, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t live here, plan on visiting during the Fall and enjoy some of what we have to offer. Kenya Patton Law Blairsville GA
Hiking There are possibly thousands of places to hike, camp or backpack but we will concentrate on the North Georgia area for now. Vogel State Park. This is Georgia’s oldest state park and it is definitely the most popular. It is south of Blairsville, Ga in Union County and sits at the bottom of Blood Mountain. You can hike several trails out of the park. There is a mile long nature loop or you can walk one mile around Lake Trahlyta. Looking for a challenge? Hike the Bear Hair Trail. At only four miles it is a moderate trail with a few harder spots. If you are a experienced hiker that wants a backcountry challenge there is the Coosa Trail. Vogel is also a wonderful place to set up your tent or RV. This is possibly the most beautiful area to see the leaves change in North Georgia. Arkaquah Trail. Also in Union County, this trail goes from the top of Brasstown Bald down to the Arkaquah trail head losing 1,500 feet in elevation as you go. You can, of course, climb this trail. Either way, it’s beautiful! Especially during the leaf change in the fall. Aska Trails. These trails are in gorgeous Fannin County and are 17 miles in length. You can bike and hike here. Trails vary in length from 1 to 5.5 miles and are suitable for most hikers. Brasstown Bald. The walk up to the tower is a hike in itself, but at the end of the parking lot you can take Jacks Knob trail up to the Appalachian Trail. There are many, many more places to explore in North Georgia, each one unique in it’s own way and absolutely stunning in the fall. Places like Meeks Park in Blairsville are perfect for the entire family. Let us know what your favorite hiking trail is. Fall Events This can be a fun time of year with the sun setting earlier and all the fall festivals going on all over North Georgia. Halloween is just around the corner with ghosts, pumpkins and all manner of spookiness. Hiking seems to be even more fun as the night settles in earlier. Below are some awesome fall events and festivals. Sorghum Festival – Blairsville, GA This event has been ongoing in Blairsville for 49 years! Events include a parade, syrup making, biscuit eating and much more. Always the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October. Parking is FREE! Blues and BBQ Festival – Blue Ridge, GA – Downtown Friday, September 14, 2018 and Saturday, September 15, 2018. Starts Friday evening at 7:00pm and continues through Saturday. Check out the Crawl on Friday that includes eight restaurants. Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze – Dawsonville, GA This is the most amazing place! Open now through November 18, 2018. 4 miles of trails in 12 acres of corn. Wagon rides and bonfires are just a small part of what Uncle Shuck’s offers. Georgia Fall Festival – Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, GA Arts, crafts, vendors and more! 9 days of fun in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. October 12-20, 2018 Needless to say – Fall in the mountains is pretty special. We forgot to mention college football and cozy fires! If you live here in the mountains, consider yourself lucky. If you don’t live here, plan on visiting during the Fall and enjoy some of what we have to offer. Kenya Patton Law Blairsville GA