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THINGS TO DO

AllTrails is an absolutely awesome app you can download on your phone that helps you find trails literally all around the world. Downloading the free version of the app, you'll be able to use AllTrails to find awesome hikes near Sugarboo Farms or wherever you may be as you explore the North Georgia mountains.

What makes the app even better is it that you can filter hikes by distance, difficulty, and what you'll see on the trail- and that's just naming a few filtering features. You can also read reviews about the trails you find and see pictures that other hikers have posted. It truly is an awesome way to explore any area you're in!

Distance: ~11 miles / 16 minutes

Address: 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512

One of Georgia's oldest state parks, Vogel State Park is a 233-acre state park located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest with a 22-acre lake and endless amounts of hiking trails ranging in length and difficulty and many of which include gorgeous waterfalls too. The park also offers fishing, paddleboating, kayaking, bike rentals, and mini golf. If you're looking to hike and get outdoors, this is an awesome park that is very close to Sugarboo Farms. The staff at the park are also wonderful and always willing to give advice on the best hikes and sites to see.

Distance: ~ 14 miles / 26 minutes

Hike Difficulty & Length: Easy, 0.2 mile hike

Helton Creek Falls cascades in a set of two (2) waterfalls, sliding down in tendrils through a beautiful, hemlock-filled creek valley. The trail to these gorgeous waterfalls isn’t a long hike – in fact, the trail’s extremely short distance although slightly rough at times. Because of it's close proximity to Vogel State Park, it's a great hike to throw in as part of your day. We're not sure about now, but when Gina grew up coming to this area to camp, you could actually swim and take a bumpy slide down portions of these falls! We definitely recommend this one!

Directions: From Blairsville, GA take US 19/129 south for 11 miles. Turn left on Helton Creek Road just past the entrance to Vogel State Park. Go 2.2 miles to a small pullout parking area. Trailhead will be on right. Alternatively, you can always use the GPS feature on the AllTrails app to get to the trailhead.

Distance: ~ 17 miles / 27 minutes

Hike Difficulty & Length: Easy, 2.2 mile hike.

Pretty hike that offers multiple waterfalls and lots of greenery. Legend holds that somewhere on this trail a piece of armor was found that is thought to be from the epic expedition of explorer Hernando de Soto in the mid 1500s. DeSoto Falls is definitely worth a visit!

Address: 18365 US-129, Cleveland, GA 30528 (according to Google Maps). Alternatively, you can always use the GPS feature on the AllTrails app to get to the trailhead.

Distance: ~15 miles / 29 minutes

Address: 2941 GA-180 Spur, Hiawassee, GA 30546

Brasstown Bald's visitors center sits atop Georgia's highest mountain at 4,784 feet above sea level. Surrounded by the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest, Brasstown Bald's cloud-level observation deck offers stunning 360-degree views of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and valleys. On a clear day, you can actually see four states- Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee! The visitor's center unique circular building is home to an 8,000 sq. ft. museum featuring interactive cultural and natural history exhibits.

The summit can be accessed from the parking lot by shuttle service or hiking the half-mile Summit Trail. Aside from the views and the short hike to the summit, Brasstown Bald also offers additional hiking trails for you to enjoy.

Distance: ~ 20 miles / 33 minutes

Hike Difficulty & Length: Easy, 4.8 mile hike located near Helen, Georgia

Packed with beautiful, cascading waterfalls and scenic views, the Raven Cliff Falls Trail is one of the most beautiful (and most popular) hiking trails in North Georgia. Hike this trail to a gorgeous waterfall that cascades through a 40-foot towering cliff.

Address: 3000 Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, Helen, GA 30545 (according to Google Maps). Alternatively, you can always use the GPS feature on the AllTrails app to get to the trailhead.

Distance: ~ 21 miles / 35 minutes

Hike Difficulty & Length: Easy, 2.3 mile hike located near Helen, Georgia and right next to Raven Cliff Falls trail.

The Dukes Creek Trail takes you through a beautiful, mountain stream-filled forest in Georgia just north of Helen. The trail descends alongside a shallow, mossy stream and takes you through several large, cascading waterfalls. At the falls, several large wooden viewing platforms offer stunning views of the main attraction overhead: the exceptionally dramatic, multi-tiered, 150-foot-tall drop of Dukes Creek Falls.

Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles; turn left on GA 356 (75 Alternate); go 2.3 miles to the Richard Russell Scenic Highway; turn right and go 2 miles to the Dukes Creek Falls parking area. There is a large parking lot with tank style bathrooms. Along the start of the trail there are some picnic tables. Alternatively, you can always use the GPS feature on the AllTrails app to get to the trailhead.

Distance: ~28 miles / 45 minutes

Address: 1788 GA-356, Helen, GA 30545

Unicoi State Park is a 1,050-acre state park located in Helen, Georgia that offers outstanding outdoor adventures. You can explore miles upon miles of hiking trails, paddle the calm waters of Unicoi Lake, zip line through the lush forest canopy, or just relax and take it all in. The centerpiece of the park is 53-acre Unicoi Lake on Smith Creek. The Unicoi Lake trails offers a scenic, 2-mile loop around the shores of the lake.

Distance: ~ 30 miles / 53 minutes

Hike Difficulty & Length: Easy, 0.8 mile hike located near Helen, Georgia

Anna Ruby Falls offers a paved trail that ends with a pair of waterfalls that makes for quite a pretty site. It's a fairly easy hike that is kid-friendly, stroller-friendly and even dog friendly. This popular trail climbs to the tumbling waterfalls alongside a waterfall-filled creek, catching views of the spilling and splashing creek through the boulder-filled forest.

Address: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd., Helen, GA (according to USDA's Forest Service website). Alternatively, you can always use the GPS feature on the AllTrails app to get to the trailhead.

Nantahala River rafting trips alternate between calm spells of sparkling flat water to over 20 named whitewater rapids. This feisty river is a particular favorite of families with younger children since it is ideal for beginners. Almost anyone can participate in the fun of paddling and maneuvering a raft down the Nantahala River – from young children to active senior citizens. Children only have to be 7 years of age OR weigh at least 60 pounds to go down this river. North Carolina rafting on the Nantahala River is a low cost, high value experience which will add great memories to your vacation. The trip length is about eight (8) miles with a total trip time of about three (3) and a half hours with about two (2) hours on the river.

Lake Nottely is a 4,180-acre lake nestled in the mountains just northwest of Blairsville. This popular lake is great for those who love boating, fishing and jet skiing. Nottely Marina is a family owned & operated marina serving Lake Nottely for over 25 years. They offer all sorts of rentals with flexible options and reasonable rates so that you can have some fun on the lake. Rentals include pontoon boats, jon boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).

Hands down, one of the most unique places in the entire state of Georgia is Helen. It isn’t just anywhere that you find a Bavarian-themed town in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Local business leaders decided to reinvent the town in the 1960s to bring in tourists and boost the economy…and it worked. You’ll find lots of tourists in Helen today dining at the traditional German restaurants, drinking German beer at the pubs, shopping for German handicrafts, and embracing the culture at local festivals. It’s easy to hike in the nearby mountains and forests to see the stunning waterfalls when you stay in Helen. There are also tons of fun and attractions that go beyond the prevalent Bavarian-theme.

Distance from Sugarboo Farms: ~29 miles / 44 minutes

Known for its picturesque Main Street and its train ride along the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Blue Ridge is considered by many to be Georgia’s favorite mountain town. Located in the heart of Chattahoochee National Forest, Blue Ridge makes it easy for visitors to hike to local waterfalls, go horseback riding, and kayak along Lake Blue Ridge.

The history of Blue Ridge is rooted in its pure mineral waters and its railroad. Once believed to be an elite health resort, Blue Ridge was a top destination for visitors who wanted to enjoy its mineral springs. Blue Ridge was established as a railroad town, largely thanks to its proximity to the flat Toccoa River Valley.

Distance from Sugarboo Farms: ~29 miles / 36 minutes

If you're looking for a luxurious spa experience, look no further! Located within the beautiful Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa in the Blue Ridge mountains, the Equani Spa is a true sanctuary focused on self-care and featuring healing and soothing spa treatments. Infusing the spirit of this serene environment into every first-class service, the spa provide body treatments, facials, soothing massages, and unique rituals indigenous to the Cherokee people, designed to stimulate and refresh the mind, body, and soul.

Starting at the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes riders on a 4-hour, 26-mile roundtrip journey along the Toccoa River through the Chattahoochee National Forest. The first leg of the adventure takes riders through the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, nestled deep in the mountains on each state’s line. Passengers enjoy all the towns have to offer during a two-hour layover before taking the one-hour return trip through the scenic forest and back to the depot in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Jack "Mimm" McClure (January 25, 1914 - June 26, 1969) was an American Appalachian moonshiner and local philanthropist from Young Harris, Georgia , GA. Local stories abound in the Georgia mountains of McClure's quality bootleg spirits, his charitable giving, and his self delivered justice to those who crossed him. Grandaddy Mimms Moonshine Distillery & Museum offers 20-minute tours for $5 per person, where you will learn about the history of moonshine, the story behind the distillery, and the intricate details of the distillation process. Tastings are also offered at $5 per person. We visited the distillery last year and can assure you the moonshine is STRONGGGG!