34 | ACTIVITIES DIRECTIONSGA.COM
Hit the Road
Take a short drive east on Hwy. 515 to explore
Union County and beyond!
When you head east from Blue
Ridge on Hwy. 515, you’ll discover
a whole new world to explore!
Whether you spend a few hours or a
couple days, you’ll find great restaurants,
cute shops, friendly people,
fun festivals and an abundance of
amazing natural attractions.
First Stop:
Union County
If exploring the great outdoors is
your thing, you’re headed to the right
place. Blairsville-Union County is only
30 minutes away, but home to a variety
of great attractions.
Reece Heritage Farm — This historic
site explores the life of famed
“farmer poet” Byron Herbert Reece
with early-1900s buildings and
exhibits that capture rural life in
Appalachia. There’s a poetry walking
trail, petting farm and museum, too.
(reecefarm.org)
Vogel State Park — Georgia’s second
state park was built in the 1930s
by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Open year-round, the park features a
CCC museum, as well as campsites,
cottages, swimming lake, putt-putt
golf and hiking trails. One easy trail
will take you to Trahlyta Falls, which
is a beautiful stepping-stone waterfall
that cascades down 40 feet. (gastateparks.
org/vogel)
Helton Creek Falls — Tucked
away in a rhododendron grove, this
double waterfall is easy to get to. If
it’s warm, bring your bathing suit for
a shockingly cold dip at the upper
falls, which drops about 60 feet into
a small swimming area. (fs.usda.gov)
Walasi-Yi Center — Not
ready to hike the famous
Appalachian Trail? Visit the
historic Walasi-Yi Center at
Neel Gap, where you can root
on the thru-hikers while you
shop at the outfitters and
explore the only place where
the 2,192-mile-long trail passes
through a man-made structure.
(mountaincrossings.com)
Walk the poetry trail at
Reece Heritage Farm.
/(reecefarm.org
/(fs.usda.gov
/(mountaincrossings.com