Apple orchards
U-pick apples, fried pies and cider donuts along Highway 52 East, mostly late summer through fall. Orchard guide.
Wineries
North Georgia wine country surrounds Ellijay, with vineyards and tasting rooms such as Cartecay Vineyards and Engelheim Vineyards nearby.
Rivers
Fish from the deck at River Solace on the Ellijay River, or tube and paddle the Cartecay River in the warm months with local outfitters.
Carters Lake
A deep, undeveloped mountain lake run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with boating, a marina and lakeside trails.
Blue Ridge
Shops and restaurants downtown, Lake Blue Ridge, and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which runs along the Toccoa River to McCaysville on the Tennessee line.
Hiking & waterfalls
Trails across the Chattahoochee National Forest, plus Fort Mountain State Park and Amicalola Falls State Park within driving distance.
Downtown Ellijay
The historic square has local shops, antiques and restaurants, and hosts seasonal events, including the Georgia Apple Festival weekends in October.
Game day
The TV at River Solace includes the NFL package, so Sundays can be football on the couch and dinner on the porch.
Winter & holidays
Quieter months mean easier dates, crisp nights, the gas log fireplace and the hot tub. A cozy Christmas or New Year's cabin trip.
Hours and seasons change; check each business before you go.
Where to stay
River Solace, right on the Ellijay River
River Solace is a private 2-bedroom, 2-bath log cabin on the Ellijay River for up to 4 adults. Soak in the private hot tub on the deck, fish right off the porch, cook on the gas grill and eat on the covered porch, then end the night at the fire pit by the river. Dogs are welcome with no pet fee, and the TV includes the NFL package for game days.
Check open dates See the cabin
Reservations are handled by Sliding Rock Cabins.