Things to do! In addition to our other information about Blue Ridge Properties from Meg Davis, we want you to know how much there is to do for recreation in Fannin County and the surrounding area. On this page you'll find links and information concerning recreational activities auch as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and more.This page will be updated frequently.
Cohutta Wilderness Loop Hikes
1) DALLY LOOP 12.3 miles -- Dally Gap to Penitentiary Branch Trail (2.4 miles) to Jacks River (3-5 miles) up river to Dally Gap (6.4 miles). Offers a combination of high elevation, mixed forest, and stream scenery and experiences. 18 river crossings. Also gives visitor opportunity to day hike to Jacks River Falls easily. Moderate hike. Somewhat strenuous if done in opposite direction going up Penitentiary Branch Trail. Offer wading tips - wading stick, etc. See attachment. Numerous campsites on river.
2) HICKORY RIDGE LOOP 10.2 miles -- Rice Camp to Jacks River (3-5 miles) to Falls onto Hickory Ridge jct. (1-5 miles?) Hickory Ridge to E. Cowpen (3.2 miles). E. Cowpen back to Rice Camp parking lot (2.0 miles). Offers combination of mixed forest setting, stream scenery, falls, high elevation experience. Moderate to strenuous especially going up Hickory Ridge To E. Cowpen. Actually mod. to strenuous in other direction also. Good challenge. Ford river twice on this trip. Both crossing wide and tricky (slick surfaces).
3) HICKORY CREEK/E. COWPEN/PANTHER CREEK 20 miles -- Hickory Creek Trail from W. Cowpen parking lot to E. Cowpen (8-5 miles). E. Cowpen to Panther Creek jct. (4-5 miles), Panther Creek to Conasauga River (3,.5 miles), Conasauga River to parking lot (3.5 miles). Mixed forest setting, stream scenery, Panther Creek Falls, high elevation experience. Numerous streams on Hickory Creek, good water sources for camping here and on Panther Creek. Two river crossings, several small stream crossings on this trip. Numerous campsites available Moderate to strenuous either direction. Challenges of E. Cowpen climb in elevation and steepness of terrain on Panther Creek.
4) E. COWPEN TRAIL/HICKORY RIDGE/JACKS RIVER/ROUGH RIDGE 16.5 miles -- E. Cowpen Trail from Three Forks parking lot to Hickory Ridge (5 miles) Ridge to Jacks River (3.2 miles). Hickory Ridge jct. to Rough Ridge jct. (.75 mile). Rough Ridge to Three Forks (7.5 miles). For the experienced, well conditioned backpacker. Moderate to strenuous terrain hike. High elevations and river scenery, access to Jacks River Falls nearby (.5 mile downstream). Two river crossings. Water sources are limited on ridge trails. Numerous campsites available.
5) E. COWPEN TRAIL/ROUGH RIDGE/JACKS RIVER/SUGAR COVE 15.5 miles -- E. Cowpen Trail from Three Forks Parking Lot to Rough Ridge (.5 mile) Rough Ridge to Jacks River (7 miles) Jacks River to Sugar Cove jct. (3.5 miles?) Sugar Cove to Rough Ridge (2 miles). Sugar Cove/Rough Ridge jct. to Three Forks (2-5 miles). Another challenging trip. Moderate to strenuous with numerous river crossings and steep climb of Sugar Cove. High elevation, mixed forest settings, stream scenery, Jacks River Falls (.75 mile) nearby downstream. 18 river crossings. Rough Ridge has limited water sources. Numerous campsites available throughout area.
6) HICKORY CREEK/E. COWPEN/RICE CAMP/JACKS RIVER/ROUGH RIDGE/E. COWPEN/PANTHER CREEK/CONASAUGA RIVER 30 miles -- W. Hickory Creek to E. Cowpen (8-5 miles), Rice Camp to Jacks River (3-5 miles) Rice Camp jct, past Falls to Rough Ridge ict. (1-75 miles?) Rough Ridge to E. Cowpen (7 miles). E. Cowpen to Panther Creek (2 miles). Panther Creek to Conasauga River (3-5 miles). River to parking lot (3.5 miles). 30 mile trip could be multiple days as in 3-5 days. This trip gives backpacker the high and low elevations, Brayfield, both rivers, both major falls, numerous streams, mixed forest and visitors. Moderate to strenous. Numerous campsites. Ford Jacks twice, Conasauaga twice.
Waterfalls in Fannin County
There are four easily accessible waterfalls in the Toccoa Pcnger District of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Directions are given below for, these falls, which can be reached by state, county or forest service (USFS) roads. In all cases, the visitor is cautioned to OBEY WARNING SIGNS and DO NOT climb on wet slippery rocks in the vicinity of the falls.
Fall Branch Falls- - Spectacular double waterfall. From Blue Ridge follow old U,S. 76 to Aska Road. Turn south and go approximately 8.2 miles to the intersection with Stanley Creek Pocid, entering from the right. Turn right onto Stanley Creek Road and go 3.2 miles to a small parking area just beyond an interesting farm owned by long-time Forest Service fire warden Garfield Stanley. Cross a culvert over Fall Branch and park on the right. Hike up the hill on the Benton Mackaye Trail to the double falls on the right. There is a small picnic and/or camping spot 30 yards above the waterfall.
Long Creek Folls - Picturesque falls and trail. Requires a 20 - 30 minute walk in both directions. From Blue Ridge follow old U.S. 76 to Aska Road. Turn south and go 13.8 miles to the end of the road. Turn right on Newport road, go 4.3 miles to the end of the road, Turn left, cross bridge over Noontootla Creek, continue on gravel road. Pass a cemetery and come to an intersection .6 mile from the bridge. Turn hard right on U5FS 58 and go southeast into the forest along this road 6.6 miles to Three Forks. Hike to the northeast up Long Creek to the falls. The trail corridor has an assortment of blazes designating three major hiking trails: the Appalachian Trail (white vertical 2 x 6"), Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail (blue vertical 2 x 6") and the Benton MacKaye Trail (white diamond 5 x 7"). Distance to the falls is 1.1 miles ascending gradually along the way. Side trail is marked with vertical blue blazes.
Sea Creek Falls From Blue Ridge follow old U.S. 76 east five miles to the intersection with GA 60 South at Lakewood Junction. Continue 14.7 miles south on GA 60 through Morganton, post the entrance to Deep Hole Recrecition Area to the junction with U5F5 4, entering from the left. Follow U5FS 4 an additional 3.3 miles to the right-hand curve in the road just inside the U.S. Forest Service boundary. The road to the immediate left before curve is the access to the falls. Park in the area (at the end of this spur (0.3 mile) and walk upstream 150 feet to view the falls.
Little Rock Creek Falls Series of small falls before reaching the main one. The walk is strenuous on a footpath leading along the left side of the creek and going only part of the way to the falls. There is not a footpath up the side of the main falls because of the dannerous slippery rocks in the area. Use extreme caution!
From Blue Ridge, follow the directions above for Sea Creek Falls, but only as far as the crossing of Skeenah Creek on GA 60 south (about 11.3 miles south of Morganton). There is an old but still operational mill on the northeast side of the highway. After crossing Skeench Creek, continue south on GA 60 another 3.1 miles to the intersection with FS 69, Fish Hatchery Road, coming from the right. Turn onto this road and go about three miles to where the road crosses Little Rock Creek. There is a bridge and a small pull out area here.
Water Sports
White Water Rafting
Eagle Ranch
(800) 288-3245 or (423) 496-1843 Copperhill, TN
Mountain Man Adventures
(706) 632-5589 or (706) 633-6220 Blue Ridge, GA
Ocoee Adventure Center
(888) 723-8622 or (423) 338-0995 Copperhill, TN
Ocoee Rafting
(800) 251-4800 or (423) 496-3388 Ducktown, TN
A Rolling Thunder River Company
(800) 408-7238 or (706) 494-5720 McCaysville, GA
Southeastern Expeditions
(800) 868-7238 or (404) 329-0433 Ocoee, TN
Wildwater LTD.
(800) 451-9972 or 1423) 496-4904 Ducktown, TN
Ocoee Whitewater CenterLocated on Hwy 6, the center was built by the U.S. Forest Service for use during the 1996 U.S. Olympic Canoe/Kayak/ Slalom event. The building is presently being used as an information center and displays legacy items from the Olympic event. Besides the building there are hiking trails, picnicking area, a native garden and much more.
(423) 496-5197
TubingRolling Thunder River Company
(800) 408-7238 or (706) 492- 5752 McCaysville, GA
Lake Blue Ridge
At the virtual center of Fannin County is Lake Blue Ridge, providing over 100 miles of mostly public shoreline. The 3,290 acre lake and surrounding area boasts over 90 national forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full service marina and public swimming areas.
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