Map of Historic High Country. Counties in the Central High Country are in green.

Region · Georgia

Central High Country

Map of Historic High Country. Counties in the Central High Country are in green.

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Best timeMar–Nov
From you
Nearest airportPDK · 39 mi
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Overview

The Central High Country is a sub-region of Georgia's Historic High Country region. The Central High Country consists of 7 counties north of Atlanta. The southern most counties are quickly growing as the metro Atlanta area expands while the northern counties are well suited for outdoor activities and tourism. Several of the towns hold a variety of annual festivals. Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona also provide amply opportunity for water sports and recreation. The largest city in this region is Gainesville while Ellijay and Dahlonega offer many opportunities for tourists.

7 sights · 10 things to do · 2 bars & cafés

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Central High Country

Amicalola Falls State Park

These cascading falls are the highest falls (729') east of the Mississippi River. The surrounding park offers lots of hiking trails, including one leading to the top of the waterfall. Another trail connects this park to …

Atlanta Falcons Training Camp

Watch the Atlanta Falcons practice in Flowery Branch. Only a limited number of practices are opened to the public each preseason. Check the Atlanta Falcons website to see times and dates.

Canton Theatre

An old theater in the downtown area of Canton, built in 1911.

Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site

A museum commemorates the Dahlonega Gold Rush, the first gold rush in the United States.

Dawson Forest

A 10,130-acre (41.0-km²) public-use forest located in Dawson County, Georgia, southwest of Dawsonville. The site was home to the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory (GNAL) during the 1960s.

Georgia National Cemetery

A United States National Cemetery near Canton.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 88°F; winter lows dip to about 31°F. Wettest: Jan and Mar. (climate data from nearby Historic High Country)

Jan: 5.3 in rain5.3"Jan: high 51°F, low 31°F51°31°JanFeb: 5.2 in rain5.2"Feb: high 55°F, low 34°F55°34°FebMar: 5.3 in rain5.3"Mar: high 63°F, low 40°F63°40°MarApr: 4.2 in rain4.2"Apr: high 71°F, low 47°F71°47°AprMay: 4.2 in rain4.2"May: high 78°F, low 56°F78°56°MayJun: 4.5 in rain4.5"Jun: high 85°F, low 64°F85°64°JunJul: 3.9 in rain3.9"Jul: high 88°F, low 68°F88°68°JulAug: 5.1 in rain5.1"Aug: high 86°F, low 67°F86°67°AugSep: 4.1 in rain4.1"Sep: high 81°F, low 61°F81°61°SepOct: 4.2 in rain4.2"Oct: high 72°F, low 50°F72°50°OctNov: 4.4 in rain4.4"Nov: high 62°F, low 40°F62°40°NovDec: 5.2 in rain5.2"Dec: high 54°F, low 34°F54°34°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • PDK DeKalb Peachtree Airport, Atlanta — 39 mi away. Directions
  • ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions

The major freeways that enter Central High Country are I-575, I-985 and Georgia 400.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Sample 3-day trip

  1. Day 1: Dahlonega — Dahlonega Gold Museum, University of North Georgia, Consolidated Gold Mine.
  2. Day 2: Gainesville — Gainesville Ballet Company, Smithgall Arts Center, Northeast Georgia History Center.
  3. Day 3: Woodstock — Dixie Speedway, Woodstock Lanes.

Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    Map of Historic High Country. Counties in the Central High Country are in green.Daffodil field in Gibbs GardensView from Springer MountainCentral High Country

    Places in Central High Country

    Dahlonega

    Dahlonega

    City / town · 15 listings

    Gainesville

    Gainesville

    City / town · 13 listings

    Woodstock

    Woodstock

    City / town · 7 listings

    Dawsonville

    Dawsonville

    City / town · 5 listings

    Ellijay

    Ellijay

    City / town · 3 listings

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Cities

    • Dahlonega
    • Dawsonville
    • Ellijay
    • Gainesville

    Other destinations

    • Amicalola Falls
    • Chattahoochee National Forest

    Get in

    The major freeways that enter Central High Country are I-575, I-985 and Georgia 400.

    See

    See Amicalola Falls State Park

    These cascading falls are the highest falls (729') east of the Mississippi River. The surrounding park offers lots of hiking trails, including one leading to the top of the waterfall. Another trail connects this park to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus for the Appalachian Trail.

    📍 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd🕒 7AM - 10PM☎ +1 706 265-4703
    MapsWebsite

    See Atlanta Falcons Training Camp

    Watch the Atlanta Falcons practice in Flowery Branch. Only a limited number of practices are opened to the public each preseason. Check the Atlanta Falcons website to see times and dates.

    📍 4400 Falcon Pkwy, Flowery Branch☎ +1 770-965-3115
    MapsWebsite

    See Canton Theatre

    An old theater in the downtown area of Canton, built in 1911.

    MapsWebsite

    See Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site

    A museum commemorates the Dahlonega Gold Rush, the first gold rush in the United States.

    📍 1 Public Square, Dahlonega
    MapsWebsite

    See Dawson Forest

    A 10,130-acre (41.0-km²) public-use forest located in Dawson County, Georgia, southwest of Dawsonville. The site was home to the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory (GNAL) during the 1960s.

    MapsWebsite

    See Georgia National Cemetery

    A United States National Cemetery near Canton.

    📍 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive Canton🕒 Mon-Fri 8AM to 4:30PM, closed federal holidays☎ +1 770-479-9300
    MapsWebsite

    See Gibbs Gardens

    A 229-acre garden in northern Cherokee County.

    📍 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground☎ +1 770-893-1881
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Hikes

    Do Appalachian Approach Trail

    An 8.4-mile trail that goes from Amicalola Falls State Park to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain.

    MapsWebsite

    Do Fall Branch Falls

    A waterfall on the Benton MacKaye trail in Gilmer County.

    MapsWebsite

    Do Eagle's Rest on Mount Oglethorpe

    A park with hiking trails and views of Pickens County on top of Mount Oglethorpe, the original southern terminus to the Appalachian Trail.

    ☎ +1 404-444-2877
    MapsWebsite

    Do Sawnee Mountain Preserve

    Hike up to the Indian Seats to get a view of the North Georgia Mountains

    MapsWebsite

    Do Sharp Top Mountain

    Hike on a steep, one-mile trail that goes to the top of Sharp Top Mountain near Jasper. The trail is located inside Sharptop Cove, a private Young Life camp. Please call Sharptop Cove’s offices for permission to hike the mountain.

    📍 76 Camp Hope Rd, Jasper☎ +1 706-692-5635
    MapsWebsite

    Do Springer Mountain

    Start the journey on the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain

    MapsWebsite

    Hunting and fishing

    Do Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area

    In addition to housing an abandoned nuclear laboratory, Dawson Forest is also open to hunting and horseback riding.

    ☎ +1 770-535-5700
    MapsWebsite

    Do Pine Log Wildlife Management Area

    Even though it's mainly used for hunting, visitors are allowed to explore the area by foot.

    near the town of White and Pine Log Mountain☎ +1 706 295-6041
    MapsWebsite

    Lakes

    Do Carters Lake

    Reservoir near Ellijay. Activities allowed include camping, fishing, picnicking, boating, mountain biking and hunting.

    MapsWebsite

    Do Lake Lanier

    Large reservoir near Gainesville. Activities include fishing, boating and picnicking. There is also a water park named LanierWorld, located on Lake Lanier islands.

    MapsWebsite

    Buy

    Shop North Georgia Premium Outlets

    Outlet mall near Dawsonville.

    MapsWebsite

    Drink

    Go next

    Nearby

    Buford

    Buford

    City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away

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    Alpharetta

    City / town · 19 listings · 26 mi away

    Duluth

    Duluth

    City / town · 7 listings · 28 mi away

    Helen

    Helen

    City / town · 50 listings · 28 mi away

    Roswell

    Roswell

    City / town · 17 listings · 30 mi away

    Lawrenceville

    Lawrenceville

    City / town · 20 listings · 31 mi away

    Blairsville

    Blairsville

    City / town · 8 listings · 33 mi away

    Morganton

    Morganton

    City / town · 3 listings · 34 mi away

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