Hiawassee vacation rentals

Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest and nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, remote Hiawassee calls itself the Enchanted Valley. It’s not surprising, then, that vacations in this part of the state are all about the great outdoors. Located in the shadow of Georgia’s tallest peak, Brasstown Bald, a 30-minute drive from town, Hiawassee sits on the shores of Lake Chatuge, with 130 miles of shoreline to explore with a rented kayak, pontoon boat, or stand-up paddleboard. From here you can access the epic Appalachian Trail, cast for trout in the Hiwassee River, or hike to any number of local waterfalls. In between nature walks and outdoor excursions, there are antique shops to browse and glasses of crisp Viognier to sip (this is the heart of Georgia wine country, after all). You can even pack the kids into the car for the 45-minute drive to a famous toy hospital where everyone’s favorite vegetable patch dolls are born.

Summertime is lovely in the North Georgia mountains: warm enough for a refreshing dip in a waterfall swimming hole but considerably less oppressive than muggy Atlanta. It’s also prime time for festivals, including the weeklong Georgia Mountain Fair in August, featuring live bluegrass music, arts and crafts, and carnival rides. The shoulder seasons are ideal for nature lovers, too: mountain wildflowers and botanical gardens are in bloom in spring, and by October, visitors come to watch the leaves change colors. Winter brings a dusting of snow to the highest mountain peaks, so be sure to pack a warm coat and hat — overnight lows can drop below freezing in December and January.

Bell Mountain Park

At the end of a steep one-lane road, this popular overlook is defined by rocky outcroppings almost entirely covered in spray-painted graffiti. Locals disagree about whether the graffiti is a feature or an eyesore, but everyone loves the 360-degree mountain views from the observation deck, which rises 3,424 feet over Lake Chatuge.

Hamilton Gardens at Lake Chatuge

Admire dogwood, azaleas, and more than 400 kinds of rhododendron at this botanical garden on the banks of Lake Chatuge. The gardens are at their peak in spring, between early April and late May.

Helen

Imagine a storybook Bavarian village dropped in the middle of Appalachia — that’s Helen. Located 30 minutes south of Hiawassee, the streets of this charming town are lined with half-timbered buildings festooned with flower boxes, and mom ’n’ pop shops selling cuckoo clocks and souvenirs. Helen is most popular in the fall, during its annual Oktoberfest, when sausages, beer, and polka music reign.