By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Region > Rabun County > Dillard

Catch a mess of rainbow trout and learn to cook it, stay in a one-room cabin, hike a nature trail, or mine for gems—there is plenty to do for a day, a weekend or more at Andy’s Trout Farm near Dillard in the North Georgia Mountains.

Four generations of the Cope family have built and operated Andy’s Trout Farm, beginning with Andy and Hazel Cope, who opened the property to the public back in 1965. Also referred to as Betty’s Creek Mountain Park, the family’s 325 acres of land sits along Betty Creek at the foot of the Appalachian Mountain range. Cold mountain stream water flowing from the mountains into the creek is used in the hatchery operation. Rent a pole, buy your bait, and pay for the fish you catch. You can also take a tour of the hatchery and learn about the life cycle of a trout.

There is plenty of room to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beauty of rhododendron and wildflowers in bloom. A nature trail winds through forests and crosses streams and a spectacular waterfall. Guided eco-hikes are available for learning about the area’s mountain plant life and eco-systems. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Northeast Georgia Mountains > Rabun County > Dillard

Riding horses in the Northeast Georgia Mountains is just one of the many activities – besides eating – that you can enjoy at the Dillard House in Rabun County.

Eating at the Dillard House is a true Southern culinary event. But did you know there are a number of activities that you can enjoy at the Dillard House before or after your meal?

Since the 1930s, the Dillard House Stables has offered trail rides through the beautiful and tranquil Northeast Georgia Mountains. Experienced Dillard House guides will take all levels of riders along well-maintained trails, with breathtaking scenic overlooks, lush forests and majestic waterfalls.

Try your hand at fly fishing in one of the area’s mountain streams, lakes or rivers with a Dillard House pro, who will teach you how to “cast the line and land your fly with a gentle touch” in your very first lesson. Take a half-day or full day Wild Trout Safari, a fly-fishing guided package designed to provide you with a great experience, or sign up for the two-day Dillard House Fly Fishing School. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Georgia > Atlanta Metro > Fulton County > Atlanta

Kayaking along the Chattahoochee River is just one of the many recreational activities you can enjoy in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 

In 1997, I co-authored a book with Fred Brown about the Chattahoochee River. The Riverkeeper’s Guide to the Chattahoochee River was a grand learning experience about rivers, in general, and about the wonders of the Chattahoochee, specifically.

One portion of the river that is especially accessible for everyone to explore and enjoy is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), a 48-mile stretch of the river that consists of 16 land units, or parks, along both sides of its banks. The CRNRA begins at Lake Lanier’s Buford Dam, near Buford in Forsyth County, and continues downstream through four counties to Peachtree Creek near downtown Atlanta in Fulton County. The CRNRA provides outdoor recreation for more than three million visitors a year. The parks are day use facilities only, made up of hiking trails and picnic grounds. The river running through the recreation area is a stocked trout stream that includes 19 other game fish.

The Chattahoochee corridor has a colorful and interesting history that has been preserved within the National Recreation Area. Numerous rock shelters, once used by nomadic Indian families and later Indian hunting parties, can be explored on the trails at both Island Ford and Palisades East. During the 19th century, the river was the dividing line between the Cherokee and Creek Indian Nations. The Creeks, on the south side of the line, were forced west to Oklahoma in 1828, and the Cherokees, on the north and west side, were forced out in 1838. (more…)

By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Seminole State Park is a good place to stay to witness the wild beauty of Lake Seminole, where the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers meet in Southwest Georgia.

It is hard to describe the hauntingly beautiful natural wildness that is Lake Seminole. Visiting the 37,000-acre lake reservoir is an experience no one should miss, and Seminole State Park is a good place to stay when you go. The 343-acre Georgia state park sits on the north side of Lake Seminole on the east side of Fish Pond Drain. It is surrounded by the Lake Seminole Waterfowl Management Area, one of the state’s largest wildlife management areas.

Seeing wildlife is an expected part of a stay at Seminole. The gopher tortoise, the only tortoise native to Georgia, makes its home along a 2.2-mile nature trail specifically designed to interpret the wiregrass community habitat. The park has a wetlands boardwalk and one of the largest Longleaf Pine forests in a Georgia State Park. No doubt, you will spot alligators, osprey, bald eagle and lots of other wildlife.

Cottages, many park campsites, and picnic shelters sit near the water’s edge, so there are great views and easy access to the lake. For a unique camping experience, try the screened, tree house camping. Because Seminole State Park surrounds a lake cove, you’ll find water that is smooth enough for tubing and skiing and a sand beach for swimming. You can also rent a pontoon boat and canoes or fish from three different docks.

And don’t forget your insect repellant.

Read more about Lake Seminole and Seminole County, or find other activities in the Southwest Georgia Travel Region here at Brown’s Guides.