National Parks & Forests
List of National Parks & Forests in GA, TN, & NC within 2 hours of Blue Ridge.
Amicalola Falls State Park
These popular 729-foot falls are the tallest east of the Mississippi River.
Aska Trails
The Aska Trails Area is a 17-mile hiking-mountain biking trail system on Aska Road in Blue Ridge.
Big Frog Wilderness
North of the Cohutta Wilderness is the Big Frog Wilderness, an 8,055 acre preserve in Tennessee.
Blood Mountain – Walasi-Yi Center
The Walasi-Yi crossing on Blood Mountain provides hostel services and outfitting to through hikers on the Appalachian Trail.
Brasstown Bald
Georgia’s highest mountain offers a Visitor Information Center and panoramic view of four states. Also featured are exhibits, video presentations, hiking and picnicking.
Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery
Built in 1937 by the U.S. Forest Service, the fish hatchery is managed today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Cherohala Skyway
Travelers on this National Scenic Byway encounter panoramic views as they round the tops of peaks in the Cherokee and Nantahala Forests.
Cherokee, N.C. – Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway begins in Cherokee, N.C., home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee.
Cohutta Wildlife Management Area
Recommended for seasoned backpackers and fishermen, the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA) encompasses 95,000 acres, 40,000 of which are in Fannin County.
Cooper Creek Recreation Area
Adjoining the 1,240 acre Cooper Creek Scenic Area, the Cooper Creek area features hiking trails, camping, picnic areas and beautiful Cooper Creek and its tributaries, stocked with trout.
Fort Mountain State Park
Named for a mysterious 855-foot rock wall on top of the mountain, this state park offers 30+ miles of trails, camping, cottages, a lake with swimming beach, boat rentals, mini-golf, horseback riding and picnicking.
Jack Rabbit Mountain Recreation Area
Located on a peninsula on Chatuge Lake, the recreation area offers 200 camp sites, swimming beach, showers, hiking trails, picnic areas and boat launch.
Joyce Kilmer National Forest
One of the most impressive old-growth forests in the country, featuring 100+ tree species, some over 400 years old.
Lake Conasauga Recreation Area
The area offers camping, fishing, swimming, boating, picknicking and hiking.
Mocassin Creek State Park
Mocccasin Creek is located on the shores of 2,800-acre Lake Burton.
Morganton Point Recreation Area
On Lake Blue Ridge, this area offers campsites adjacent to the lake shore, camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming, boating and fishing.
Nantahala River Gorge
The 8.5 mile section of the Nantahala River between Beechertown and Wesser, N.C. is a nationally recognized world-class whitewater river.
Ocoee Scenic Byway
Follow the nation’s first National Forest Scenic Byway as it winds alongside the Ocoee River, past the Ocoee Flume Line and Powerhouses. The byway follows Hwy 64 between Ducktown and Cleveland, Tennessee.
Ocoee Whitewater Center
Located on Hwy 64 north of McCaysville, the Ocoee Whitewater Center was built by the U.S. Forest Service for the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak/Slalom events.
Russell/Brasstown Scenic Byway
The Russell/Brasstown Scenic Byway offers beautiful views of the Chattahoochee National Forest on this 40-mile drive.
Unicoi State Park
Unicoi is located two miles from the Alpine village of Helen. It is a 1,050 acre facility offering camping, cottages and lodge accommodations, a 53-acre lake and beach, tennis courts and picnic shelters.
Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Area
Upper Tellico’s 8,000 acres offer 40 miles of trails for four-wheeling.
Vogel State Park
The 233 acre facility features hiking and backpacking, fishing, swimming, pedal boat rental, miniature golf, camping and cottages.