The North Georgia Mountains are an easy six hour drive from Raleigh, and are the perfect mountain vacation destination for those who want to leave the state but without boarding a plane.
Even though we grew up by the beach, we love escaping to the mountains and being amongst the forest. We yearn for outdoor adventures, from hiking, river tubing, horseback riding, mountain biking, ziplining, followed by an evening spent sitting around a fire pit after a day of outdoor exploration.
The Georgia mountains provide all this and more. In fact, they are famous for their waterfalls, so if you’re looking for enchanting cascades that flow between tall, mossy forests, then you’re heading in the right direction.
When planning a trip to the mountains in Georgia, it’s not always easy figuring out where to stay. That’s why we’ve shared our favorite North Georgia Mountain Resorts that we’ve stayed at so you can plan the perfect vacation!
The Best North Georgia Mountains Resorts
We spent three nights at each of these lodges and resorts listed below, and all three of them are within a two-hour drive of each other.
If you are visiting from North Carolina like us, you can easily combine them and make this a one-week trip – the perfect amount of time to spend in the North Georgia Mountains!
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for North Georgia mountain resorts that offer the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure, we loved our three-day stay at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, and oasis in a natural setting.
Whilst you may think a resort centered around a golf course and a spa with massages and body treatments is the place for romantic retreats or golfing trips, our kids were kept well entertained with all the activities on offer within the resort and close by.
This 503-acre property has something for every member of your family, whether you’re looking for relaxation, outdoor activities, or fine dining – all interests are covered.
Suggested activities
- Spa treatments such as facials and massages
- Golf lessons
- Play a round of golf on a Championship golf course
- Relax in the indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs
- Horseback riding at the Stables at Brasstown Valley
- Boating on Lake Chatuge
- Hike a section of the 9.2 miles of wilderness trails
- Wine tasting at Crane Creek Vineyards
- Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia
Drive time to Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
- Raleigh: 6.5 hours (355 miles)
- Atlanta: 2 hrs, 30 mins (105 miles)
- Charlotte: 4 hrs, 20 mins (226 miles)
- Asheville: 2 hrs, 10 mins (111 miles)
Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Unicoi State Park and Lodge, one of the most popular Georgia state parks, is located two miles from the Alpine village of Helen, one of the most visited towns in North Georgia.
Inside the state park are some of Georgia’s best adventure lodges, surrounded by plenty of adventurous activities for those that like to play in the great outdoors, with a nice balance of relaxation as well.
This 1,050-acre state park is centered around beautiful Lake Unicoi within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
One cool thing we loved was staying in a barrel shaped cabin, with lake views from our deck.
So if you’re looking for cool North Georgia cabin rentals, your kids will love these!
Suggested activities
- See the spectacular Anna Ruby Falls
- Go zip lining across the lake (75 to 2,000 feet long)
- Kayak or paddle board on Lake Unicoi
- Go fly fishing
- Do the 2.5 mile loop walk around Lake Unicoi
- Archery & Air Gun Range
- Stay in a barrel shaped cabin (there’s also the lodge and a campground)
- Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster in Helen
- Go tubing down the Chattahoochee River
- Go hiking in Tallulah Gorge State Park
Drive time to Unicoi State Park & Lodge
- Raleigh: 5 hrs, 45 mins (362 miles)
- Atlanta: 1 hr, 40 mins (89 miles)
- Charlotte: 3 hrs, 45 mins (201 miles)
- Asheville: 2 hrs, 20 mins (119 miles)
Amicalola Falls State Park
Located just over an hour north of Atlanta and within Chattahoochee National Forest (and between Ellijay and Dahlonega in Dawsonville), Amicalola Falls State Park has plenty to offer the whole family.
Our cabin in the forest came with a fireplace, huge deck, and a fire pit, and in over three days at this state park we enjoyed adventurous activities by the day, then relaxing by the fire at night.
Amicalola Falls is known as an adventure park, highlighted by the 2,400-ft long zip line and the hike to the top of the highest waterfall in Georgia.
It’s also where the 8-mile approach trail that leads to the base of Springer Mountain – the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail – starts!
Besides all the fun you can have within the park, nearby are a few farms and award-winning wineries in the surrounding Dawson County region of the North Georgia Mountains.
Suggested activities
- Hike from the bottom to the top of Amicalola Falls
- Take on the 2,400-ft long zip line
- 3D archery course
- Tomahawk throwing
- Met and greet wildlife demonstrations
- Hike part of the Appalachian Trail
- Watch sunset from Amicalola Falls Lodge
- Stay in a cabin (there’s also the lodge and campground)
Drive time to Amicalola Falls State Park
- Raleigh: 6 hrs, 30 mins (404 miles)
- Atlanta: 1 hr, 20 mins (74 miles)
- Charlotte: 4 hrs, 30 mins (242 miles)
- Asheville: 3 hrs, 10 mins (171 miles)
Final Thoughts
So there you go, those are our favorite resorts in the North Georgia Mountains and what you can do at each place. We visited during the Spring and included it in our best spring destinations from Raleigh post, but we think they would be equally beautiful no matter what time of year you visit.
All these resorts are managed by Coral Hospitality, and we found that all three have excellent accommodation options from lodges, cottages, cabins and campgrounds, as well as friendly staff and lots of attractions nearby!
We hope this guide helped you plan the perfect family vacation and gave you some inspiration for where to stay.
Be sure to read our full-guides to each destination. And let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions, or tips of your own for the North GA mountains?
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Thank you for the information. Do you have bus trips to these and more places? I like bus trips so I can see the scenery and have energy to play once at the destination. Thank you. If you don’t have, do you know where I can find that type of travel agencies? Thank you. LanYing Fan
I’m not sure about bus trips to the North Georgia Mountains. I don’t think that would be possible. You can look at Greyhound or MEga bus to see if that have routes