# Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia

> From Stone Mountain via Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls, Ellijay and Blue Ridge to Vogel, Brasstown Bald, Helen, Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain: around…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-388-north-georgia-mountains/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 389 km (242 mi) with 14 stops, from Atlanta to Lake Burton. About 4 h 19 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and September–October. No toll roads expected for a car. From Stone Mountain via Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls, Ellijay and Blue Ridge to Vogel, Brasstown Bald, Helen, Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain: around 560 kilometres through the southern Appalachians, where the Appalachian Trail begins.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 389 km (242 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 19 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Atlanta → Lake Burton |
| States | GA |
| Best time to go | April–May and September–October |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-388-north-georgia-mountains.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From Stone Mountain via Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls, Ellijay and Blue Ridge to Vogel, Brasstown Bald, Helen, Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain: around 560 kilometres through the southern Appalachians, where the Appalachian Trail begins.*

## The spirit of the route

The Blue Ridge Mountains don't end with a bang; in Georgia they fade out in soft, forested waves. This is where the Appalachian Trail begins, where gold was found in 1829, and where two-lane roads wind through valleys of apple orchards, trout streams and wooden churches. The route starts at the granite dome of Stone Mountain in the Atlanta metro area and then climbs stage by stage: to the waterfall at Amicalola, over gaps with names like Neels and Unicoi, onto the highest summit in the state and to the rim of a gorge almost 300 metres deep. From the sliding door you see mist in the valleys below Black Rock Mountain in the morning, fireflies over Lake Trahlyta at Vogel in the evening, and slopes in red and gold in October. The nights are cooler than in Atlanta, summer thunderstorms are short and violent, and almost every campground sits beside a creek.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Atlanta to Stone Mountain (approx. 30 km)

- **The drive:** Atlanta serves only as the starting point: from the edge of the city take the I-285 (Perimeter) and the US-78 (Stone Mountain Freeway) east to the main entrance of Stone Mountain Park. The drive is short, but traffic in the Atlanta metro area is heavy; at rush hour (in the morning and from mid-afternoon) the half hour can easily take twice as long. In a large motorhome, avoid downtown and the express lanes, and plan lane changes on the I-285 early. There are petrol stations and supermarkets at every exit.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Stone Mountain: a free-standing granite dome rising around 250 metres above the plain. The Walk-Up Trail climbs a good 1.5 kilometres over bare rock to the summit, with views as far as the Atlanta skyline; alternatively, take the cable car (Summit Skyride). A per-vehicle parking fee is charged to enter the park; the Georgia State Parks ParkPass is not valid here.
  - The carving on the north face shows three Confederate leaders and is the largest bas-relief in the world. It remains controversial to this day; the park has decided to put the history of the monument into critical context in an exhibition. It is best seen from the Memorial Lawn.
  - The loop around the mountain (Cherokee Trail) and the shoreline path along Stone Mountain Lake: quieter than the summit, with old bridges, a covered wooden bridge and granite outcrops where rare rock-dome plants flower in spring.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Stone Mountain Campground in the park: a large site on Stone Mountain Lake with water and electric hookups, some with sewer, shower blocks and a dump station; some pitches are right on the water. Reserve through the park; check lengths and hookups when booking. Campers pay the vehicle parking fee on top or as part of the booking – read the terms when you reserve.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** There is no public land for free camping in the Atlanta metro area. Overnighting on streets, at parks and in car parks is mostly prohibited by the cities and counties; supermarket car parks only with the store's express permission.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before heading into the mountains, do a big shop and fill up in Atlanta or along the US-78: in the mountain valleys the shops are small and more expensive. Walk the Walk-Up Trail early in the morning – the granite heats up strongly in summer, and the bare summit is dangerous in a thunderstorm. The rock is slippery when wet.

### Stage 2: Stone Mountain to Amicalola Falls State Park (approx. 150 km)

- **The drive:** Take the I-285 and the GA-400 north out of the conurbation; from Cumming the landscape becomes hilly, and beyond Dawsonville the first forested ridges begin. Take the GA-60 to Dahlonega, then the GA-52 west through hill country to Amicalola Falls State Park. The GA-52 is two-lane and winding but well built. Driving time around 2.5 hours. Petrol stations and supermarkets in Dahlonega, hardly any after that.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Dahlonega: the first major gold rush in the USA began here around 1829, so large that the federal government set up a mint in the town. The Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site in the old 1836 courthouse on the main square tells the story; admission charged, check opening hours in advance.
  - Wine on the Dahlonega Plateau: since 2018 the area around the town has been recognised as its own wine region (American Viticultural Area). Tasting rooms are on the square in Dahlonega, the wineries on the slopes outside town. If you're tasting, leave the motorhome parked for the day – Georgia is strict about drink-driving.
  - Amicalola Falls: the waterfall cascades down around 220 metres and is considered the highest in Georgia. From the lower car park a path with several hundred steps leads to the bridge in front of the falls; at the Visitor Center stands the stone arch where the Approach Trail begins – the roughly 14-kilometre access trail to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Amicalola Falls State Park Campground: a small site above the waterfall with water and electric hookups, a shower block and a dump station. The access road up from the Visitor Center is extremely steep (campers report a gradient of around 25 per cent) – a real test for heavy or long vehicles and rigs with trailers, so assess your brakes and engine power honestly beforehand. Few pitches; book early through the Georgia State Parks reservation system. Amicalola also requires the ParkPass.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** West and north of Amicalola the Chattahoochee National Forest begins; dispersed camping is generally allowed there, except in recreation areas, at signposted no-camping spots and in Wildlife Management Areas outside the designated sites. Many forest roads are gravel, narrow and unsuitable for large vehicles; ask the Blue Ridge Ranger District about conditions.
- **Insider tip for campers:** If you want to reach Springer Mountain without walking the 14 kilometres of the Approach Trail, you can also get to the summit via forest road FS-42 – but it is long, unpaved and only sensible for high-clearance vehicles, not motorhomes. In March and April thru-hikers set off here on the trail to Maine; car parks and the campground are full then. In Dahlonega, large vehicles are better parked on the streets at the edge of town than around the square.

### Stage 3: Amicalola Falls State Park to Blue Ridge (approx. 85 km)

- **The drive:** Take the GA-52 west over a forested ridge and down into the Ellijay valley – a winding but wide road with views over the hills. Then take the GA-515/GA-5 (Zell Miller Mountain Parkway) north to Blue Ridge, four-lane and quick. If you like, head first for the railway town of Blue Ridge and you'll still have the stage done in half a day. Driving time around 1.5 hours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Apple barns on the GA-52 east of Ellijay: Gilmer County calls itself the apple capital of Georgia. From August into autumn the farms along the road sell apples, cider, pies and jam, some with pick-your-own; the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay traditionally takes place in October. The large farm car parks are usually suitable for motorhomes too.
  - Ellijay: a small mountain town at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, with a courthouse and shops around the square.
  - Lake Blue Ridge: the reservoir of the Toccoa River between forested slopes, with Forest Service swimming areas and boat ramps; there is a viewpoint at the dam.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Morganton Point Campground (U.S. Forest Service) on the shore of Lake Blue Ridge near Morganton: a forest campground with a swimming beach, drinking water, toilets and showers, some pitches on the water. Some pitches have electricity, others are tent-only sites without hookups; check which pitches have power and which lengths fit when booking on recreation.gov. Seasonal operation; check opening dates in advance on recreation.gov.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dispersed camping is generally allowed in the Chattahoochee National Forest around Blue Ridge, but the forest roads are mostly unpaved and steep. At Lake Blue Ridge and in the recreation areas, overnighting is only permitted at the campgrounds. Sleeping in your vehicle is not provided for in Blue Ridge itself.
- **Insider tip for campers:** During apple season and leaf-peeping time the GA-52 is slow on Saturdays; drive it on a weekday. In Blue Ridge, parking at the station is tight for large vehicles – leave the motorhome at the campground or park on the edge of town and walk in. Before heading into the higher mountains, stock up on food and fuel in Blue Ridge or Ellijay.

### Stage 4: Blue Ridge to Vogel State Park (approx. 70 km)

- **The drive:** The morning belongs to the railway; afterwards take the US-76 east via Morganton and through the Nottely River valley to Blairsville, then the US-129 south into the mountains. The US-76 is well built; beyond Blairsville the US-129 gets twistier and climbs towards Neels Gap. Driving time a little over an hour. Blairsville is the last town with a supermarket and cheap fuel before Vogel.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: an excursion train from the historic depot in Blue Ridge along the Toccoa River to McCaysville on the Tennessee border, with a stop in the twin town of McCaysville/Copperhill before the return journey; in autumn the open cars are ideal for the fall colours. Trips and dates are seasonal; book early for leaf season.
  - Toccoa River at McCaysville: the state line runs right through the town – at the blue line in the car park you can stand with one foot in Georgia and the other in Tennessee.
  - Vogel State Park: one of Georgia's oldest parks, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Lake Trahlyta lies at the foot of Blood Mountain; a short shoreline path circles the lake, and the walk to Trahlyta Falls at the outlet is short and worthwhile.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Vogel State Park Campground: pitches with water and electric hookups in several loops in the woods near Lake Trahlyta, plus tent sites, shower blocks and a dump station. Very popular; on autumn weekends booked out long in advance through Georgia State Parks. Some loops are narrow and sloping; check the length details carefully when booking. Alternative: Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area (Forest Service) to the west via the GA-180, a small mountain lake with basic pitches.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Vogel the general rule for dispersed camping in the National Forest applies. On the Appalachian Trail between Jarrard Gap and Neels Gap (Blood Mountain), tent camping is usually only permitted in spring with a bear-resistant canister; this rule applies to hikers, not vehicles. Overnighting in car parks at gaps and trailheads is not provided for.
- **Insider tip for campers:** A detour of a few kilometres south on the US-129 takes you to the Walasi-Yi Center at Neels Gap: the Appalachian Trail passes through an archway of the 1930s stone building here, and the outfitter inside is the first resupply point for thru-hikers. The car park is small and full at weekends. Heading south on the US-129 there are tight bends – drive slowly in a large vehicle.

### Stage 5: Vogel State Park to Unicoi State Park (Helen) (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** Take the US-129 briefly north, then the GA-180 east through the Choestoe valley and past Lake Winfield Scott to Jacks Gap. From there the access road (GA-180 Spur) climbs steeply and with many bends for around 5 kilometres to the car park below Brasstown Bald. Back at Jacks Gap, take the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348) south – a winding ridge road with viewpoints and steep descents – down into the Chattahoochee valley near Helen. Driving time around 2 hours. Take descents in a low gear; don't ride the brakes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Brasstown Bald: at 1,458 metres (4,784 ft) the highest mountain in Georgia. From the car park a short, very steep paved path (around 1 kilometre) leads to the observation tower and Visitor Center; alternatively, take the shuttle. On clear days the view reaches into four states. Fee per person; federal passes for seniors and people with disabilities are accepted; there is no drinking water at the summit.
  - Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway: viewpoints over the mountains of the Chattahoochee National Forest, and in October one of the finest drives for fall colours; the Appalachian Trail crosses at Hogpen Gap.
  - Anna Ruby Falls: two waterfalls that merge side by side, reached by a paved path of about 700 metres from the car park at the end of the access road above Unicoi State Park. Forest Service area with a per-person entrance fee; from the campground at Unicoi the Smith Creek Trail leads there on foot.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Unicoi State Park Campground north of Helen: a forest campground on Smith Creek with water and electric hookups and a shower block; check hookups and waste disposal when booking. The park also has Unicoi Lake and a lodge. Trails lead from the campground to Helen. Reserve through Georgia State Parks; in great demand during leaf season and Oktoberfest in Helen. Alternative: Andrews Cove Campground (Forest Service) on the GA-17/75 north of Helen, a basic creekside site without hookups.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the National Forest north of Helen there are designated dispersed camping spots along certain forest roads, for example on Indian Grave Gap Road; conditions and accessibility vary, and the roads are unpaved. In the heavily used valleys of the Upper Chattahoochee, overnighting is only permitted at designated spots – ask the Chattooga River Ranger District about the rules.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The access road to Brasstown Bald is not suitable for rigs with trailers or long motorhomes; leave the trailer at Jacks Gap or at the campground, and if in doubt ask the Visitor Center beforehand. Satnavs are not reliable here; the route is signposted. The shuttles only run during the Visitor Center's opening hours; in a thunderstorm, get off the tower immediately.

### Stage 6: Helen to Tallulah Gorge State Park (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** Head south through Helen and the Nacoochee Valley, take the GA-17 and GA-115 to Clarkesville and then the US-441 north to Tallulah Falls. Rolling country roads with pastures, wineries and wooden bridges, then the four-lane US-441. Driving time around an hour. In Helen traffic is heavy at weekends and getting through is slow.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Helen: in 1969 the former logging village was remodelled in the style of a Bavarian Alpine village – half-timbered façades, painted walls, a glockenspiel. You don't have to like it, but it is a sight in its own right; Helen's Oktoberfest has for decades been one of the longest in the USA. In summer, tubes float down the Chattahoochee through town.
  - Nacoochee Valley: the Native American burial mound with a gazebo on top at the junction of GA-17 and GA-75, and behind it the old Hardman farmhouse (Hardman Farm State Historic Site) – one of the most photographed scenes in North Georgia.
  - Tallulah Gorge: a gorge around 3 kilometres long and almost 300 metres deep. Rim trails with viewpoints on both sides; the Hurricane Falls Loop descends more than 1,000 steps to the suspension bridge that sways around 25 metres above the gorge floor.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Terrora Campground in Tallulah Gorge State Park: on Tallulah Falls Lake not far from the Interpretive Center, pitches with water and electric hookups, a shower block, dump station. Reserve through Georgia State Parks; ParkPass required. From the campground the paved Shortline Trail runs along the bed of an old railway line – good for cycling.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In Tallulah Gorge State Park, overnighting is only permitted at the campground; basic backcountry sites in the park are accessible only on foot and after registering. The Panther Creek Recreation Area south of Tallulah Falls has been closed by the Forest Service since April 2025 because of damage from Hurricane Helene, for up to two years or until it can safely reopen – check the status before visiting.
- **Insider tip for campers:** To descend to the gorge floor you need a free permit, issued only at the Interpretive Center: a maximum of 100 per day, non-transferable, and gone early in the morning on busy days. No more are issued in the afternoon; ask the park in advance for the exact time. Sturdy shoes with tread are mandatory; sandals and Crocs are not accepted. Weather and water levels can restrict access; on days with water releases from the dam, separate rules apply.

### Stage 7: Tallulah Gorge State Park to Lake Burton (approx. 95 km)

- **The drive:** Take the US-441 north via Lakemont to Clayton, continue briefly to Mountain City and climb the narrow Black Rock Mountain Parkway up to Black Rock Mountain State Park. The mountain road is narrow, winding and steep, with no mirrors on the hairpins. Then return to Clayton and take the US-76 west and the GA-197 south to the shore of Lake Burton. Driving time around 2 hours. Clayton is the last town with a large supermarket.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Clayton: the county seat of Rabun County, with a small centre, shops and restaurants. East of town flows the Chattooga River, a Wild and Scenic River on the South Carolina border; hiking trails along the bank start at the US-76 bridge.
  - Black Rock Mountain State Park: at around 1,100 metres the highest state park in Georgia, right on the Eastern Continental Divide. From the Black Rock Overlook and on the Tennessee Rock Trail you look far across the valleys into South Carolina and North Carolina.
  - Lake Burton: a Georgia Power reservoir from the 1910s between forested slopes, with boathouses and clear water; on the western shore lies Moccasin Creek State Park, with a trout hatchery next door.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Two state park campgrounds to choose from: Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground with water and electric hookups, a shower block and dump station – a spectacular setting, but a steep, narrow access road and tight loops; not recommended for large rigs, and the park closes when there is ice. More comfortable is Moccasin Creek State Park on Lake Burton: a small, level lakeside site with water and electric hookups, a shower block and dump station. Reserve both through Georgia State Parks. Basic Forest Service sites without hookups lie along the Tallulah River north of the lake (Tallulah River, Tate Branch, Sandy Bottoms).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Chattahoochee National Forest around Lake Burton and along the Tallulah River, dispersed camping is generally allowed, but along Tallulah River Road only at designated spots. The road is narrow and partly unpaved. The shores of Lake Burton belong to Georgia Power or are privately developed; overnighting is not permitted there.
- **Insider tip for campers:** At Moccasin Creek there is an accessible fishing pier for children, seniors and people with disabilities; fishing requires a Georgia fishing licence, with an add-on for trout. Only drive up to Black Rock Mountain in a large vehicle in dry weather and during daylight. If you want to continue into the Great Smoky Mountains after the route, Cherokee is around two hours from Clayton via the US-441 – that section is covered in the CampingSpirit travel guide along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Georgia has no BLM land; legal free camping is practically only possible in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Dispersed camping is generally allowed there – but not in recreation areas, not at signposted no-camping spots, and in some heavily used valleys only at designated sites. Ask the relevant Ranger District (Blue Ridge or Chattooga River) about maximum stays and rules.
- The state's Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) overlap large parts of the National Forest; during hunting seasons camping there is often only permitted at designated sites. In the autumn hunting season, wear bright clothing.
- State parks: overnighting only at the campgrounds. Every vehicle needs the Georgia State Parks ParkPass (day pass or annual pass); overnight guests pay the daily fee only once per stay, regardless of its length. Check current prices when booking. Stone Mountain Park has its own parking fee, and Brasstown Bald and Anna Ruby Falls have their own Forest Service fees.
- Reservations: Georgia State Parks through the central reservation system online or by phone, Forest Service sites through recreation.gov. For October (fall colours, Oktoberfest in Helen, apple harvest) and for spring weekends, book well in advance.
- Cities and counties mostly prohibit sleeping in your vehicle on streets and in public car parks; rest areas on the interstates are for breaks only. Supermarket car parks only with the store's express permission.
- Bears: black bears are common in the mountains of North Georgia. Lock food, cool box and rubbish in the vehicle, leave nothing outside, use bear-proof bins. On the Appalachian Trail in the Blood Mountain section, campers with tents are usually required to carry a canister in spring.
- Apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt and Recreation.gov; Park4Night is not widely used here. Mobile coverage is weak or absent in many valleys.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations: at all state park campgrounds on the route (Stone Mountain has its own) and at many private sites; most Forest Service sites have no hookups and no waste disposal.
- Drinking water: at campground taps; at trailheads, on Brasstown Bald and at gaps there is usually no drinking water. Only drink creek water filtered and boiled.
- Empty grey water and chemical toilets only at dump stations; draining on forest roads or into creeks is prohibited and penalised.
- Propane: petrol stations, DIY stores and farm supply stores in Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Cleveland and Clayton fill US cylinders; European cylinders are generally not filled.
- Electricity: state park sites usually offer 30 A, some 50 A; Forest Service sites mostly have no power. Generators only during the campground's permitted hours.
- Fuel and shopping: large supermarkets in the Atlanta metro area, Dahlonega, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville and Clayton; in Helen only small shops, larger ones in Cleveland.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: interstates in Georgia up to 70 mph, four-lane highways mostly 55–65 mph, mountain roads considerably less, with separate limits for bends. Georgia requires hands-free phone use (Hands-Free Georgia Act); holding a phone while driving is prohibited.
- Move Over law: for emergency, towing and roadside service vehicles with warning lights, change lanes or slow down considerably.
- Tolls: the regular lanes on the route are toll-free. The Express Lanes in the Atlanta metro area (including on the I-75, I-575 and I-85) can only be used with a Peach Pass; according to the operator, vehicles towing trailers and vehicles with more than two axles or six wheels are excluded – with a motorhome or a rig with a trailer, simply use the regular lanes.
- Mountain roads: take the descents at Brasstown Bald, Amicalola, Black Rock Mountain and on the Russell Scenic Highway in a low gear. Observe campground length limits; many mountain pitches are sloping, so bring levelling blocks.
- Thunderstorms: in summer, thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rain build almost every afternoon. Leave summits, observation towers and open rock surfaces (Stone Mountain, Brasstown Bald) beforehand; creeks and gorges can rise quickly.
- Hurricanes and storm aftermath: the season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Even in the mountains, large storm remnants bring heavy rain, landslides and fallen trees – in September 2024 Helene damaged roads, trails and recreation areas in northeast Georgia, and some are still closed. Before setting off, check the notices from the Forest Service and Georgia State Parks.
- Winter: snow and ice are rare, but when they come, mountain roads and individual parks such as Black Rock Mountain close at short notice.
- Emergency: 911. Many valleys and gorges have no mobile coverage; leave your route and expected return time with someone.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Hiking boots with grippy tread: without sturdy footwear you won't get a permit for the gorge floor at Tallulah Gorge, and the stepped paths at Amicalola are slippery when wet.
- Levelling blocks and a spirit level: many pitches at Vogel, Black Rock Mountain and Amicalola are sloping.
- Odour-proof bags or a bear-proof box for outings and picnics: black bears roam campgrounds and trailheads.
- A weather radio or severe-weather app with National Weather Service alerts, plus offline maps: afternoon thunderstorms arrive fast, and the valleys often have no mobile signal.
- Tick tweezers and insect repellent with DEET or picaridin: ticks are common in the woods and along meadow edges throughout the route.
- A warm layer and a rain jacket: on Brasstown Bald and Black Rock Mountain it is noticeably cooler and windier than in Atlanta.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Georgia State Parks – ParkPass](https://gastateparks.org/ParkPass)
- [Georgia State Parks – Black Rock Mountain State Park](https://gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain)
- [Georgia State Parks – Reservation Policies](https://gastateparks.org/ReservationPolicies)
- [Peach Pass (State Road and Tollway Authority) – I-85 and I-85 Extension Express Lanes](https://peachpass.com/travel-the-express-lanes/i-85-and-i-85-ext/)
- [Peach Pass – I-75 Northwest Corridor Express Lanes](https://peachpass.com/?p=247)
- [USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee NF – Closed: Panther Creek Rec Area due to storm damage](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/alerts/closed-panther-creek-rec-area-due-storm-damage-alert)
- [USDA Forest Service – Panther Creek Recreation Area Temporary Closure](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/projects/67282)
- [Recreation.gov – Morganton Point](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234590)
- [Outdoor Writers Association of America – Bear-resistant storage containers now required near section of Appalachian Trail](https://owaa.org/?p=8710)
- [Wikipedia – Tallulah Gorge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallulah_Gorge)
- [Wikipedia – Lake Burton (Georgia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Burton_(Georgia))
- [Wikipedia – Moccasin Creek State Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moccasin_Creek_State_Park)

## Which stops are on the route from Atlanta to Lake Burton?

1. **Atlanta** (GA)
2. **Stone Mountain** (GA)
3. **Dahlonega** (GA)
4. **Amicalola Falls State Park** (GA)
5. **Ellijay** (GA)
6. **Blue Ridge** (GA)
7. **Vogel State Park** (GA)
8. **Brasstown Bald** (Hiawassee, GA): Georgia’s highest point at 4,784 feet, with a tower giving views into four states. A steep paved trail or a shuttle climbs the last half mile from the parking lot.
9. **Helen** (GA)
10. **Unicoi State Park** (GA)
11. **Tallulah Gorge State Park** (Tallulah Falls, GA): A two-mile gorge nearly 1,000 feet deep with rim overlooks and a suspension bridge above the river. Gorge-floor permits are limited and handed out daily.
12. **Clayton** (GA)
13. **Black Rock Mountain State Park** (GA)
14. **Lake Burton** (GA)

## When is the best time for the route from Atlanta to Lake Burton?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia?**
7-day road trip of about 389 km (242 mi) with 14 stops, from Atlanta to Lake Burton. About 4 h 19 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia?**
We suggest 7 days: about 4 h 19 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia start and end?**
It starts in Atlanta and ends in Lake Burton.

**Which states does Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia pass through?**
Georgia.

**Where can you camp along Gold dust, apple barns and a granite gorge – by camper through the mountains of North Georgia?**
OpenStreetMap lists 148 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Toto Creek Campground, Dockery Lake Campground and Frank Gross Recreation Area.