| Water Activities In & Around Blue Ridge, GA |
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INCLUDING WHITE WATER RAFTING, KAYAKING, TUBING, FISHING, BOATING & SWIMMING:
Canoeing
Toccoa River Canoe Trail – 17.3 miles of river from Deep Hole Recreation Area to Lake Blue Ridge Toccoa Ranger District, http://www.blueridgemountains.com/toccoa_river_canoe_trail.html http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/rec/toccoa-rvr-canoe-trail.htm -The beautiful whitewater Toccoa River from which Lake Blue Ridge is formed a very well known for trout fishing, tubing, canoeing, and in some sections, sunbathing on the boulders in the middle of the river known as the “Rapids”. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is perfect for beginners who are looking for a few rapids and some beautiful scenery along the way. The trail is also popular with float fishermen looking for cold-water mountain trout. The put-in is located at the Toccoa Ranger District’s Deep Hole Recreation Area, a U.S. Forest Service campground off of highway GA 60 south of Blue Ridge and north of Suches. The canoe trail begins on the north bank of the river, flowing west and north toward Blue Ridge. The entire float from Deep Hole to Sandy Bottoms is 13.8 miles. Canoe rentals – Toccoa Valley Campground 11481 Aska Rd, Blue Ridge, 706-838-4317 Swimming, Picnics, & Misc: 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. The information center displays legacy items from the Olympics. There are hiking trails, swimming holes, picnic areas, a native garden, gift shop and more. For information call (423) 496-5197.
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. Jack Rabbit is located south of U.S. 64 between Hayesville and Shooting Creek, N.C.
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. Located 8 miles east of Chatsworth via Ga. Hwy 52. For information, call 706-695-2621.
Lake Conasauga Recreation Area – Managed by the Forest Service, this beautiful recreation area is located within the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area and features the highest lake in Georgia. The area offers camping, fishing, swimming, boating, picknicking and hiking. See the Chamber’s Self-Driving Tour #2 for directions from Fannin County, or call 706-695-6736 for directions and information.
Vogel State Park – One of Georgia’s most popular state parks, Vogel is located 11 miles south of Blairsville via U.S. Hwy 19-129. Driving from the south, visitors pass through Neel Gap, a beautiful mountain pass near Brasstown Bald. The 233 acre facility features hiking and backpacking, fishing, swimming, pedal boat rental, miniature golf. For information, call 706-745-2628.
Morganton Point Recreation (& Swimming) Area: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/rec/fow/20040618-fow.shtml
Outdoor Activities: A little bit of everything can be found here: http://www.ocoeeinfo.com/outrec.htmlWhitewater Rafting The Ocoee Whitewater Center is located on Hwy 64 north of McCaysville. Directions from The Bear’s Den to the OcoeeWhitewater Center: go back out to Old hwy 2 (take a right) to GA 5 north (left on hwy 5) at Freeman Gas, to McCaysville, cross the bridge to Copperhill, TN, and turn left on Tennessee Hwy 68. In Ducktown, take U. S. 64 west to the Ocoee Whitewater Center which is on the left. There are a number of private whitewater outfitters to choose from in the area. Only a 10-15 minute drive from The Bear’s Den Luxury Cabin (approx 10-12 miles): Different outfitters to choose from include: Tubing the Toccoa – Tube Rentals Rolling Thunder River Company, McCaysville, 706-492-5720 or 1-800-408-7238 – Tube Rentals (approx 15 minutes from the Bears Den) www.rollingthunderriverco.com Toccoa Valley Campground, Tube & Canoe Rentals – 11481 Aska Rd Blue Ridge, 706-838-4317 http://www.toccoavalleycampground.com/page2.html -(Approximately 15 minutes from the Bears Den) Providing 6 miles of tubing and rafting on the beautiful Toccoa River. Tubes with bottoms are also available as well as rafts or fun yacks, for a relaxing tubing trip. Everything needed is included for one low price including a shuttle back to your vehicle. Directions: Take Hwy 515 North. Turn Right at the KFC. Turn Left on Old Hwy 76 and then right on Aska Road (right past Ace Hardware). Follow Aska Road for approx 12 miles. Toccoa River Adventure: McCaysville 706-492-5280 or 877-862-2620 – Tube & Canoe Rentals Cool River Tubing Company – Helen, GA (approx 1 hour from the Bears Den) TUBING, WATER SLIDE and More! http://www.coolrivertubing.com/aboutus.asp?id06=49&par06=0 Pontoon Boat Rentals, Jet Ski Rentals, Paddle Boats and More! http://www.mountainviewmarina.com/ – Mountain View Marina in Murpy, NC – Located approx 40 minutes from the Bears Den.200 Dean Aldrich Dr. – Murphy, NC 28906 – (828) 644-5451 A full-service marina offers boat rental, long and short term slip rental, gasoline, boat ramp, fishing licenses, bait, boating supplies, boat registration, snacks and drinks http://www.boundarywatersresort.com/brentals.html – Lake Chatuge – Boundary Waters Resort & Marina – Located approximately 40 miles from the Bears Den, straight up hwy 515. – offers everything from Pontoon Boat Rentals to Paddle Boats, Canoes, Jet Skis and more! -de Rd, Hwy 288 Hiawassee, GA 3fffff http://www.lakeblueridgemarina.com/ – Lake Blue Ridge Marina – Located only 6 miles from The Bears Den Fishing & Outdoor Guides – The Trout Pond Blue Ridge fly -fishing & Canoe Guides Toccoa River Adventures TRA Eagle Ranch, Copperhill, 800-288-3245 http://www.eagleadventures.com/eagle/getwet.htm Ocoee Adventure Center, Copperhill TN, 888-732-8622 www.ocoeeadventurecenter.com Team Flight, Blue Ridge, GA, 706-632-4449 Unicoi Outfitters, Blue Ridge, GA, 706-632-1880 www.unicoioutfitters.com Trout Fishing http://www.blueridgemountains.com/trout_fishing.html Georgia Reservior Fishing Info http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=117&txtPage=7 Outdoor Recreation in the Ocoee Area http://www.ocoeeinfo.com/outrec.html#Fishing
Lake Blue Ridge – Lake Blue Ridge is one of the purest lakes in the TVA System. It offers everything from picnics, swimming, boat ramps, jet skiing, fishing and relaxation. Lake Blue Ridge, www.lakeblueridgemarina.com is about a ten minute drive from The Bear’s Den. 706-632-2618 Toccoa River – The Toccoa is best known for troutfishing, tubing, canoeing, and, in some areas, you can sunbath on the boulders in the middle of the river. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is great for beginners who are looking for a few rapids and some beautiful scenery along the way. The trail is also popular with float fishermen looking for cold-water mountain trout. The canoe trail starts on the north bank of the river, flowing west and north toward Blue Ridge. The entire float from Deep Hole to Sandy Bottoms is approximately 13.8 miles. Troutfishing – Other places where there is great fishing for trophy-size trout include Fightingtown Creek, Rock Creek, Cooper Creek, and Noontootla Creek. If you’re looking for a great day trip, visit The Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery. Located off of Hwy 60 between Morganton & Dahlonega, the fish hatchery is where they raise about a million rainbow trout each year to stock the streams, tailwaters, and lakes of North Georgia. It’s operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and visitors can tour the hatchery & visitor center, fish Rock Creek, go for a hike, and have a picnic. Take your own gear and bait and be sure to have a Georgia fishing license. The hatchery offers special group tours and sponsors annual fishing derbies for the kids. The Hatchery is located near other mountain attractions; the Deep Hole & Cooper Creek recreation areas, the Swiming Bridge and the Benton MacKaye Trail. The National Fish Hatchery is open year round from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Fridays. For more information, please see http://southeast.fws.gov/ChattahoocheeForest. |