Northeast High Country

Map of the Historic High Country. East High Country counties are in purple

The Northeast High Country is a sub-region of Georgia's Historic High Country region. The Northeast region of the Georgia High Country consists of the counties that are in the most northeast corner of Georgia. They share borders with Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. There are many artisan and tourist driven communities in this region including Helen, Blue Ridge, and Clayton.

Cities

• 1 Blairsville
• 2 Blue Ridge
• 3 Clayton
• 4 Cleveland — Home of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
• 5 Helen — Created to resemble an Alpine Village.
• 6 McCaysville
• 7 Mineral Bluff
• 8 Morganton
• 9 Rabun Gap
• 10 Toccoa

Other destinations

• 1 Lake Chatuge
• 2 Nacoochee Valley Historic District
• 3 Sautee Valley Historic District - A few miles south of Helen
• 4 Sky Valley - home to Sky Valley Resort
• 5 Unicoi State Park - A few miles north of Helen

Do

Hikes

Black Rock Mountain State Park view

• Appalachian Trail. The most famous trail within the state of Georgia runs 75.2 miles from Springer Mountain to the North Carolina Border near Hiawassee 
• 1 Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway Mountain City (3 miles north of Clayton), ☏ +1 706 746-2141. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Rock Mountain State Park has the highest elevation in the state park system. The park features spectacular roadside overlooks, hiking trails, a campground, and cottages. $5 per vehicle. 
• 2 Blood Mountain. One of the more scenic mountains in Georgia can be accessed via the Appalachian Trail from Neels Gap or from trails starting in Vogel State Park and Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area 
• 3 Brasstown Bald (18 miles from Blairsville by road.), ☏ +1 706 896-4137. 10AM-5PM. At 4,784' Brasstown Bald is the highest point in the state of Georgia. The visitor center is open 7 days a week from April through November. A .6 mile paved trail leads from the parking lot to the visitor center and lookout tower. $5 per person. 
• 4 Coosa Backcountry Tail, 405 Vogel State Park Road Blairsville (11 miles south of Blairsville), ☏ +1 706 745-2628. This 12.9 mile loop trail begins within Vogel State Park and crosses into the Chattahoochie-Oconee National Forest. A permit is required and can be picked up for free at the state park visitors center. Backcountry camping is allowed along the trail. Hikers should be aware that the trail is rated as very strenuous and make preparations accordingly. $5 per vehicle. 
• 5 Cowrock Mountain. Located inside the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, Cowrock Mountain offers views of White County and nearby Wildcat Mountain. Hike on the Appalachian Trail to reach the summit. 
• Duncan Ridge Trail, ☏ +1 706 745-6928. The Duncan Ridge Trail is a 30.1 mile trail that connects the Appalachian Trail at Neels Gap to the Benton MacKaye Trail in Fannin County. The more adventurous can combine all three trails into a loop just over 60 miles long. 
• 6 Rabun Bald. Rabun Bald is the second tallest mountain in Georgia. Located near Sky Valley, there is a 1.5 mile trail to summit of the mountain. At the summit is a fire tower that offers spectacular views of the Georgia and North Carolina mountains. 
• 7 Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yam Dr. Tallulah Falls, ☏ +1 706 754-7981. A state park centered around a canyon 1000' deep and 2 miles long. The park features hiking trails, visitors center, and a campground. $5 per vehicle. 
• White Twister Trail (Stonewall Falls) (5 miles south of Clayton). The White Twister Trail is a 7.8 mile loop open to foot and mountain bike traffic. The trail meanders along Stonewall Creek and provides access to Stonewall Falls. 
• 8 Yonah Mountain (4 miles northeast of Cleveland). A 2.1 mile trail provides access to the summit of this mountain which is popular with rock climbers. Primitive camping is allowed near the summit. 

Lakes

Lake Winfield Scott

• Chatuge Lake. A lake on the Georgia-North Carolina border near Hiawassee. 
• Lake Burton. A lake in the western part of Rabun County. Moccasin Creek State Park is located on the lake's shorelines. 
• Lake Rabun. Described as Georgia's Lake Como by the lake's boat association, Lake Rabun is located in the southern part of Rabun County. Most of the shoreline is occupied by private homes. However, one can take a look of the lake homes in a tour boat operated by the Lake Rabun Association. 
• 9 Lake Winfield Scott (From Blainsville, take U.S. 19/129 south for 10 miles. Turn right (west) on Georgia 180 for 7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 37 at Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area entrance.), ☏ +1 (706)747-3816. Located near Vogel State Park and Suches, Lake Winfield Scott is an 18-acre lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Recreational activities include fishing, boating and swimming in designated areas. Slaughter Mountain can be viewed from the lake. The 1-mile Jarrard Gap Trail and 2.7-mile Slaughter Creek Trail connects the recreational area to the Appalachian trail. 
• 10 Morganton Point Recreation Area (Lake Blue Ridge) (Take Georgia Highway 515 north from Blue Ridge for 4 miles to Georgia Highway 60. Turn right (southwest) and continue 3 miles to the town of Morganton. In Morganton, turn right on County Road 616 (Lake Drive) and proceed for 1 mile. To enter the campground, take the first left after the Morganton Point entrance sign.), ☏ +1 (706)374-1645. Located on the northern shores of Lake Blue Ridge, the Morganton Point Recreation Area offers views of Lake Blue Ridge, as well as camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and hiking opportunities. 

Go next

• Northwest High Country
• West High Country
• Central High Country
• East High Country