State Parks Near Blue Ridge
With waterfalls, shopping, mountain biking and the railway, it is easy to visit Blue Ridge without ever leaving the area. However, if you’re on an extended stay, or calling Blue Ridge “home base” as you explore the vast North Georgia Mountains, then these parks and historic sites are worthwhile adventures.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8f4072b2dbb59f5ca8231c1b50b59b04 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=275d4bdd33f985470fa9c5f3811340a3 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=66933c83f67ef2b41ee23d7be4d93919 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1d49d43adb7a240757c5be20029f1a5d 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ddcf6cf091911ec75e746382a4342a9f 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e5cc23559b8a4fe5b7271a554444e824 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/FortMountainView1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=832a6a0ac37f81a0d3f5511742777afd 1920w)
Fort Mountain State Park (34 miles from Blue Ridge)
Fort Mountain State Park sits in the northwest corner of the state near the Cohutta Wilderness in Chatsworth. You’ll find magnificent hardwood forests, which play host to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders all year long. The Upper Cabin Combo Trail is just over 1.5 miles, with excellent vistas from the ridgeline and beautiful views of the lake and Goldmine Creek, which was named for early gold mining. You can still see some of the old mining pits visible along the trail. Love to bike? The East-West Bike Loop is rated by many as one of the most beautiful and challenging mountain bike trails in the Southeast.
Vogel State Park (34 miles from Blue Ridge)
Vogel State Park is Georgia’s second oldest state park located in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Trahlyta Lake Trail is an easy one-mile loop and allows for one of the most popular pictures of the park. From the dam bridge, snap a photo of Lake Trahlyta with Blood and Slaughter Mountains behind it. The lake is open to nonmotorized boats and offers freshwater fishing. The family can also enjoy putt-putt, bike rentals and a seasonal swimming beach
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=629aadf5cf899f33b744ba354a1292fa 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2d2a9fa1c99ea04fa6e44e55d6e7c75a 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=143ce2d08fae20c9e8efc9a8d39d3389 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8faba69c80a631ca54d19497ab222ec0 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6455d54c887ef251b10bcc99ae81d3c4 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9b4a14e21a43ad16d2110d90ada3643d 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/Amicalola-Falls-State-Park.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6584f3fbbb48660cb5a4facb3ca11f4d 1920w)
Amicalola Falls State Park (35 miles from Blue Ridge)
Amicalola Falls is home to the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Unless you’re up for a strenuous adventure, we recommend parking at the West Ridge Access Trail and making this middle section of the falls your starting point. The 1/3-mile paved walk grants you one of the best photo ops in the park.
If you are up for it, take the blue blazed trail down 165 stairs, and a total of one mile; this trail leads to a reflection pool at the base of the falls. It will follow the creek almost the entire way, with great places to play in the water and see rhododendron and other native flora.
Chief Vann House Historic Site (42 miles from Blue Ridge)
The Vann House was the first brick home in the Cherokee Nation, built in 1804 by the wealthiest gentleman at that time, James Vann. He left it to his son, Joseph, after his death. Joseph and his family were forcibly removed in 1835 due to the Indian Removal Act.
The home is now managed by Georgia State Parks and survives as Georgia’s best-preserved historic Cherokee Indian home. A guided tour allows visitors to see the house which features beautiful hand carvings, a remarkable “floating” staircase, a 12-foot mantle and fine antiques. Visitors may also enjoy the nature trail, see a movie about the property or enjoy a picnic.
![](https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8baa779a066004822a8d88f42de349b0 320w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=19c57a11b3fdf66ed59a720d2ab1c5d4 540w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3fe1313872e01d2c6c2e8c6cad12c81b 768w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1b33078b24195546e7259cb5ec0bfbcb 1024w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7c6b14d79642682e6436e23bb81a1517 1200w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3381e5310dabc667bb3898a6ce5b48b7 1440w, https://blueridge.imgix.net/images/archive/GoldMuseum1920x1080.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=fe44a02ff30500bdba18a0d413f764e2 1920w)
Dahlonega Gold Museum (48 miles from Blue Ridge)
Contrary to popular opinion, the gold rush did not begin in California; it began in Georgia. A full 20 years before the rush to the west, thousands of prospectors flocked into the Cherokee Nation in North Georgia, marking the true beginning of our country’s first gold rush. Dahlonega thrived in the midst of this as home to a U.S. Mint, opened in 1838, that coined more than $6 million in gold.
Today, visitors of the Gold Museum can see a complete set of these rare coins, a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle used to blast soil from mountainsides, a film and gift shop. When you visit, take a close look at the brick work; you’ll see gold flecks in many of them.
Hardman Farm (51 miles from Blue Ridge)
The Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound south of Helen is perhaps the best-known feature of Hardman Farm, but there is more to see and do here. A guided tour of the historic farmhouse boasts original lighting, an interesting telephone and climate control system. You’ll also see the bedroom belonging to Anna Ruby Nichols, the namesake of nearby Anna Ruby Falls.
Don’t miss the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail. This one-mile trail follows the Chattahoochee River from Hardman Farm State Historic Site to Helen. Interpretive panels along the way share info on native plants and animals, Helen’s heritage and more.