Hiawassee: North Georgia Mountain Beauty

Blue Ridge Mountains

Thanks to the third grade science unit on Georgia habitat regions, I know the Blue Ridge Mountains make up our state’s highest mountain range and forest cover about 90 percent of the land (and you can find wild boars—fun fact for extra credit). What our habitat study guide didn’t cover was how truly beautiful these mountain are—any time of year, seriously. It’s amazing that in two hours we can go from the metro Atlanta suburbs to a full mountain range.

We got into the campground pretty late so we had to set up in the dark. Never fun. I’m all for #girlpower, but this is literally when I JUST WALK AWAY. Pro tip: You cannot help your spouse back into a campsite in the dark and stay married. You cannot do this. But when it’s done, you high five, grab a beer and look forward to opening the camper door in the morning to explore.

Bald Mountain Camping Resort

State parks offer the most affordable camping, but sometimes—like college football opening weekend—you need a private campground with a few more amenities. At a private campground, you’ll have cable access plus full water and sewer hook ups at your campsite. That’s code for: you can take a long shower in the camper and no one will yell at you. You’ll also have nice bath houses and, often, paved sites. Rates at Bald Mountain run about $42 a night.

The resort is nestled in a valley so you are surrounded by amazing views (some sites more than others), including the tower of Brasstown Bald—Georgia’s highest point. In the center of the campground is a small lake (or a large pond, really), playground, mini-golf course, a pool and two very large fields for baseball, volleyball and other play.

My kids dig a nice open field for soccer and football. Surprisingly, not all campgrounds have a big open play area. Thumbs up for a good combination of open play and structured activity options here.

Bring bikes or scooters for the kids (and adults!). It’s fun to cruise around the big campground and get to the camp store.

The campsites themselves were a little hit or miss. After we visit a place for the first time, we always find THE campsite we would want the next time we come (looking at you site #45). There’s only so much those online maps can tell you.

Let me give you the real scoop. The best spots are the 40s and 50s – they offer a balance of sun/shade and the best parts of the creek—even a place to hang your hammock. Sites 79, 80, 90 and 91 are great if you want easy bathhouse access (and a bonus open field). Lake sites in the 100s have THE BEST view of the mountains, but zero shade. A few spots in the 200s by Lakeside Lane give you good access to a creek bed, dog walk area and lake. Avoid the 100s near the entrance unless you are just doing a pit stop – it’s basically a parking lot of RVs.

We stayed in site 90 very close to another small open field. But, our friends got site 66—the dead end of the campground and right next to a road, dampening the camping vibe.

You can rent kayaks on the campground lake for $6 an hour. Be warned: they won’t let you put your own kayak or paddle board in the water. There’s also a very well maintained 18-hole mini golf course that costs $3 per person, 6 and under free. You can fish in their stocked lake as well. But, for water activity, your best bet is to drive to a nearby marina.

Jackrabbit Mountain

For some lake time, we drove about 20 minutes north to Jackrabbit Mountain, just across the North Carolina boarder on Lake Chatuge. We brought the new paddle board for a spin at the campground where some other friends were tent camping.

With some teamwork the kids got the paddle board into the water and then completely showed up the moms by doing acrobatics on the board. Sweet Ellie outdid us all with a back bend that could be in the next Lululemon kids catalog.

Our friends had a fleet of kayaks, inner tubes and boats for lots of action on the lake.

Jackrabbit Mountain Campground is a great, shady, state park campground if you really want to rough it for the weekend–I’m talking no electricity or water at your site and only two bathrooms. But, it’s right on the lake. Although a bit muddy at the waters’ edge, once you are out in the water, it’s lovely. Most people staying in a camper at Jackrabbit use a generator.

If mountain biking is your thing, this is the place to be. Kids as young as six can do some of the trails, but much of the 14-miles of trails are designed for experienced riders. Just before you get to the campground entrance, you’ll see a gravel parking lot for the bike trail heads.

Brasstown Bald

A big benefit of staying in Hiawassee is being only 20 to 30 minutes away from several other mountain destinations. We had never visited Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point, so it was at the top of my list. You can drive up most of the mountain until you reach the Visitors Center. Kids under 16 are free, but everyone else is $5 each. Your fee includes entrance to the tower at the top and a ride on the shuttle (if you want it). The shuttle is a great option if you are traveling with really young kids or older family members who can’t manage a hike.

We decided to hike the 6/10 of a mile to the top. I think we can handle under a mile hike, right? Um, this is completely straight up (but also completely shaded). I was the straggler and no one in my group noticed that I was not close. I had a few awkward, winded conversations with some random families going my speed. Super fun. Don’t worry about me guys, all good back here!

It really was all good at the top though. Your 360-degree views include four states and a seemingly endless mountain range with deep valleys.

The Visitors Center includes a scavenger hunt that takes kids through their mini-museum about the area and its history. The park rangers offered small prizes for correctly completing the scavenger hunt.

Having recovered from the hike straight up the mountain, we decided to add on a more moderate trail on the way down. You’ll find the Wagon Train Trail just off the main paved path. The mostly flat trail, once part of Route 66, runs approximately 7 miles alongside a ridge to the town of Young Harris and Young Harris College.

About one mile in, a sword fight with a hiking stick (because Star Wars reenactments sometimes happen on a hike) resulted in a child tripping and falling. My friend Shannon was super prepared with antibiotic cream and chewable Tylenol. Go girl. I had lip gloss and a camera. #fistbump

More nearby fun

I’m sure Napa is nice, but did we mention there are wineries with these Georgia mountain views? You’re right off of the Georgia Wine Highway. The closest options to Hiawassee are Hightower Creek Vineyards and Crane Creek Vineyards.

I love a hike with a waterfall and this area has plenty! But, you’ll have to drive to get to these spots. Our favorite is High Shoals Falls. It’s a completely unique hike with interesting rocks, moss valleys and of course, a waterfall. You’re downhill on the way to the falls—save energy for the climb back up.

Tailgate spread

One of my favorite parts of camping with a travel trailer is the ability to spend the time to cook and eat well. Plan meals that will allow you to cook outside and enjoy your friends and family.

Tailgating is all about the grill–I think it took us three grills to prep it all. Check out the full menu and recipes.

Kid Chefs

We love to spend time cooking up a spread, but my kids can’t always wait until later to eat. We the let the older kids make pizza quesadillas for the younger set so they could eat early and get back to playing football. It only takes four ingredients: flour tortillas, pizza sauce, pepperoni and shredded cheese.