Blairsville-Union County Visitors Guide | 3
the Nottely Dam Reservoir Trail and the scenic path
to Helton Creek Falls.
For a more strenuous hike, the Jacks Knob Trail
stretches 4.5 miles from Brasstown Bald to the top of
Wolfpen Ridge. Or lace ’em up and tackle the 5.5-mile
Arkaquah Trail that leads to Track Rock Gap. The
Coosa Backcountry Trail loops 12.5 miles in the rugged
mountains near Vogel State Park. The Duncan
Ridge Trail, Slaughter Creek Trail, Dockery Lake
Trail and Bear Hair Gap Trail are just a few others.
Of course, the most famous trail in the area is the
white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Completed in 1937,
the AT winds through the Chattahoochee National
Forest, generally following the southern boundary of
Union County after beginning at Springer Mountain
in nearby Gilmer County. Altitudes along the Georgia
section reach a high of 4,461 feet at Blood Mountain.
At Neel Gap, the famed footpath passes through the
Walasi-Yi Center, a historic stone building built by
the Civilian Conservation Corps. Now home to hiking
outfitter Mountain Crossings, it has some of the best
views around. (Go to VisitBlairsvilleGA.com for
more details on our area’s many hiking trails.)
History Comes Alive Outdoors
During The Great Depression in the 1930s, FDR’s
New Deal program put young men to work through the
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). One of their projects,
Vogel State Park, includes a CCC museum, as well
as campsites, cottages, a 22-acre lake with a swimming
beach, mini golf course, hiking trails and more. Lake
Winfield Scott was the CCC’s final project in Georgia.
At an elevation of 2,854 feet, this small, clear reservoir
is perfect for swimming,
paddling or
relaxing on the
sandy beach.
One mile north
of Vogel, the historic
Reece Heritage
Brasstown Bald
Farm explores the life of famed “Farmer Poet” Byron
Herbert Reece (1917-1958) with early-1900s buildings
and exhibits that capture rural life in Appalachia.
Located about 7 miles east of Blairsville, Track Rock
Gap Archaeological Area is the site of several soapstone
boulders with more than 100 petroglyphs, most
likely carved by Cherokee Indians who were once
native to the area.
The views are breathtaking from atop Brasstown
Bald, which, at 4,784 feet, is the highest natural point
in Georgia. The visitor center features an extensive
museum and presentations on area forestry practices.
• BRASSTOWN BALD RECREATION AREA,
706-896-4137, cfaia.org
• COOPER CREEK RECREATION AREA,
706-745-6928, fs.usda.gov
• HAMILTON GARDENS AT LAKE CHATUGE,
706-970-0011, hamiltongardens.org
• LAKE WINFIELD SCOTT RECREATION AREA,
706-745-6928, cfaia.org
• MEEKS PARK,
706-439-6074, unioncountyga.gov/parks-recreation
• MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS AT WALASI-YI,
706-745-6095, mountaincrossings.com
• REECE FARM,
706-745-2034, unioncountyga.gov/reecefarm
• TRACK ROCK GAP ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA,
706-745-6928, fs.usda.gov
• VOGEL STATE PARK,
706-745-2628, gastateparks.org/Vogel
Explore historic landmarks,
attractions and museums on
the Union County History Trail
(visitblairsvillega.com/
union-county-history-trail).
/VisitBlairsvilleGA.com
/cfaia.org
/cfaia.org
/fs.usda.gov
/fs.usda.gov
/hamiltongardens.org
/parks-recreation
/mountaincrossings.com
/reecefarm
/Vogel