The North Georgia Mountains are beautiful year-round, but there’s something extra special about them in the summer. With tons of outdoor activities all summer long, residents and visitors alike love to spend their summers in the beautiful nature of the area.
If you’re looking for things to do in the North Georgia Mountains this summer, look no further than this list. From scenic rides to high-energy white water rafting, there’s something new for everyone.
Hike the Appalachian Trail
There’s a reason more than 6,000 people hiked the full Appalachian Trail in the 2010s. It’s the same reason that international hikers from more than 30 countries travel to the United States to complete the trail. The reason is that the Appalachian Trail is renowned for its beauty.
The trail begins in North Georgia and goes for 79 miles before crossing the state line, leaving plenty of room for you to go explore. While thousands of people may hit the trail with the intention of walking the full 2,000 miles, it’s perfect for recreational half-day hikes, too!
Go on a scenic horseback ride
Want to stroll through the mountains at a leisurely pace — without doing all the walking yourself? Consider a scenic horseback ride. With many rides spanning 1-2 hours, you’ll have just enough time to take in the sights without spending all day out on the trails.
There are many places that offer horseback riding in the North Georgia Mountains. One of the most well-known is Adventure Trail Rides, which offers rides for adults and children. You can even pay just $15 more per ride to upgrade it to a private ride.
Cross the suspension bridge at Tallulah Gorge State Park
With or without the suspension bridge, Tallulah Gorge State Park is worth visiting. With beautiful sights and trails all around, you could easily spend a full day in the park and still have more to see.
Those looking for an adrenaline rush can’t miss the 80-foot high suspension bridge. As you walk above the rushing water, you’ll experience one of the most thrilling activities in North Georgia. It doesn’t hurt that the views are breathtaking, too.
Try your hand at geocaching
Have you ever tried geocaching? It combines elements of scavenger hunts and nature to provide a fun adventure. There are a few apps you can download to guide you through North Georgia geocaching.
You can also go on a geocaching tour courtesy of North Georgia Canopy Tours. They’ll guide you through a hunt for mountain caches. Once you find one, you’ll get clues that lead you to your next. Best of all, these geocaching tours are free!
Visit one of the 30 local wineries
With high-quality wineries all around the North Georgia Mountains, there’s plenty of opportunities to tour and test some of the best wine in the States. Perfect for a romantic getaway or an outing with friends, the vineyards of North Georgia provide the ideal backdrop for the summer.
If you think of California when you think of wine, you may be surprised to know that our local wineries have been earning praise from wine critics and many of them have earned a number of national and local awards.
Go white water rafting
Summer and water go hand-in-hand. While you can choose any number of the North Georgia lakes for boating or swimming, white water rafting offers a thrilling adventure that you won’t soon forget.
The Toccoa River, called the Ocoee River in Tennessee (where it begins), is the best place to go for white water rafting. You can choose to have a guide in the raft with you (a good option if you’re a beginner) or to go non-guided (ideal if you’ve been before). Either way, this is a trip that you and your friends or family will remember for years to come.
When in doubt, just drive!
There’s a reason so many people are moving to the North Georgia Mountains: you don’t need to set out to anywhere in particular in order to have an adventure. Whether you road trip to North Georgia or you rent a car after you land, you can’t go wrong by just driving around.
Head to Georgia Highway 197, drive the Brasstown Bald Loop, or simply head to your nearest road. Whichever way you go, you can take in the sights of the mountains at your own pace with your significant other, friends, or family. Learn more about the area and get ready to hit the road!
