Kayaking on the Etowah River in the Dawson Forest with Appalachian Outfitters from Dahlonega, Georgia

Kayaking on the Etowah River in the Dawson Forest with Appalachian Outfitters from Dahlonega, Georgia

Outdoor Family Adventure in Dahlonega

Heading to the mountains this summer is the ideal way to escape the heat. Dahlonega invites families to get away in the outdoors. Hiking, biking, water fun and more await.

Hiking and Waterfalls

Whether you are seeking a short hike in the woods or a long hike along the Appalachian Trail, you will find it in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County. As the closest official Appalachian Trail Community to Atlanta, you're sure to meet northbound AT hikers beginning their adventure in Dahlonega every spring. Download the Dahlonega Hiking Guide & Map to plan your hike on more than 22 trails in North Georgia mountains within 32 miles of Dahlonega.

 

Cane Creek Falls in Dahlonega. Photo by Lesli Peterson
Cane Creek Falls in Dahlonega. Photo by Lesli Peterson

Also, don't miss the nearly 30 different waterfalls in the area. You can find many of them with the North Georgia Waterfalls app, available for Apple and Android.

Mountain Biking

Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Bike Ride in Dahlonega, Georgia

Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Bike Ride in Dahlonega, Georgia

From the extreme course at USFS Bull Mountain to exciting back country roads through the Chattahoochee National Forest, off-road bicyclists love Dahlonega. For the tour enthusiast, Dahlonega hosts the Six Gap Century and Three Gap Fifty Bike Ride annually with up to 11,200 feet of vertical climbing. Whew! Even if that's a bit much for your family, it's fun to see.

River Adventures

Tubing on the Chestatee River. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Outfitters

Tubing on the Chestatee River. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Outfitters

The 40-mile area around Dahlonega offers amazing whitewater and flatwater for canoeing and kayaking families. The Etowah and the Chestatee rivers offer challenging canoeing and kayaking with predominately Class I and II rapids. Take advantage of the kayak and canoe trips offered by Appalachian Outfitters River Outpost and Chestatee River Adventures. Want to slow the pace? Affordable tubing trips are available through these outfitters, as well.

Published: May 2018
Written by: Lesli Peterson
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