Our area offers unsurpassed opportunities for outdoor activities year-round. This part of Georgia is known for its excellent fishing, rafting and canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, you name it. The endless acres of wilderness make for an excellent getaway environment. Below are some of our most popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen, as well as wilderness lovers and nature buffs. It’s always smart to contact these operators in advance for more details. Most can be reached by phone or through the Blairsville/Union County Chamber of Commerce.
Fishing
Lake Nottely, Blairsville, GA
This is a 4180-acre lake with 106 miles of shoreline. This lake also offers great fishing for walleye, small mouth bass, white bass and bluegill, and has a designated swimming, camping, and beach area.
Lake Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge, GA
Lake Blue Ridge is a 3290-acre lake with 106 miles of shoreline. Fish for walleye, small mouth bass, white bass and bluegill, or swim in the designated swimming area.
The Toccoa River, Rock Creek, Cooper Creek and Noontootla Creek host some of the best trout fishing in the country. A local fishing map or guide will help you find the following trout fishing areas:
- Toccoa River
- Shallowford Bridge
- Tammen Park
- Ron Henry Park
- Rock Creek
- Cooper’s Creek
- Noontootla Creek Wilderness Area
- Jacks & Conasauga Rivers Cohutta Wilderness Area
More information on area fishing can be found at these websites:
Blairsville Recreation
Georgia Fishing License Online
Georgia fishing licenses can be conveniently and quickly purchased online. This area of North Georgia has some of the country’s best trout fishing just ten minutes away.
Horseback Riding
Our area hosts numerous riding stables with experienced guides. Many of these stables offer horseback rides, hay rides, moonlight rides, and wilderness rides through the scenic countryside. Many also offer riding lessons and long and short-term boarding. More information can be found at these websites:
A Step Above Trail Rides
Adventure Trail Rides
Blanche Manor Horseback Riding
Trackrock Stables
Blairsville Recreation
Canoing, Tubing, Rafting
The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is perfect for the casual canoer or rafter. With beautiful scenery and a few mild rapids along the way, this is also a popular spot for tubing. The trail is also known for its cold-water mountain trout.
Nottely River Campgrounds
Rolling Thunder River Company
Blairsville Recreation
White Water Rafting
Class III and IV rapids highlight the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers. These spots fill with whitewater enthusiasts from March to October. More information can be found at these websites:
Ocoee Adventure Center
Ocoee Rafting Company
Rolling Thunder River Company
Blairsville Recreation
Hiking
Endless hiking trails dominate this area, from easy to extreme. Here is a sampling of the most popular trails in the area:
- Appalachian Trail – long
- MacKaye Trail – long
- Lake Blue Ridge Loop Trail – easy
- Stanley Gap Trail – moderate to difficult
- Tipton Mountain – difficult
- Benton MacKaye/Appalachian Trail Loop – moderate
- Jacks River Trail – moderate
More information on area hiking trails can be found at these websites:
The Georgia Appalachian Trial Club
The Georgia Appalachian Trial Home Page
Blairsville Recreation
Golf
Butternut Creek Golf Course, Blairsville, GA
18 Hole 6536 yd. course
More information on area golf can be found at these websites:
Blairsville Golf
