Overview
Clayton is a city in the very north-east corner of Georgia. It is the county seat of Rabun County.
1 sights · 4 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Clayton
Foxfire Museum
This museum showcases buildings constructed long ago and antiquities open to self-guided tours. Admission is $6 for ages 11+, $3 ages 7 - 10, free if 6 and under.
Black Rock Mountain
3 miles north of Clayton. Closed seasonally December 1 to March 15. Park open 7AM - 10PM. Office open 8AM - 5PM. With over 1,743 acres at the highest elevation for any park in Georgia, this park has over 10 cottages, 44 …
Kingwood County Club & Resort
This resort offers everything from 18 majestic golf holes to weddings, full spas to fine dining, and private accommodations to conference rooms.
Rabun County Golf Club
1322 Old 441 South. These 9 holes of golf and driving range is located just 1.3 south of Clayton. There are no required tee-times and memberships are available.
Tallulah Gorge
Open 8AM to sunset. See this beautiful canyon that's over 2 miles long and 1,000 feet deep. There are spectacular views of waterfalls, cliff faces, and forest. A walking path follows an old railroad bed and a 10-mile mou…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Greenville)
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.
- AVL Asheville Regional Airport, Asheville — 62 mi away. Directions
- GSP Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greenville/Greer/Spartanburg — 67 mi away. Directions
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 73 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Atlanta, take I-85 N for 28 miles to I-985 N which continues onto US-23 N after 24 miles. Continue 52 miles on US-23 N directly into Clayton. From Knoxville, head on I-40 for 92 miles, take exit 27 to get on US-74. After 26 miles, merge onto US-23 S toward US-441. Continue on to the ramp after 21 miles for another 21 miles to reach Clayton.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Foxfire Museum, Black Rock Mountain, Kingwood County Club & Resort
- Afternoon Rabun County Golf Club, Tallulah Gorge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Understand
Rabun County was founded in 1829 and named after the present Governor of Georgia, William Rabun. The area that eventually became Clayton was called the Dividings because it sat at the intersection of three crucial Cherokee trails. Claytonsville was founded here by European-American settlers in 1821 as the seat of Rabun County. It was named after a prominent jurist and congressman, Judge Augustin S. Clayton. In 1823, the town was incorporated and renamed Clayton.
Get in
From Atlanta, take I-85 N for 28 miles to I-985 N which continues onto US-23 N after 24 miles. Continue 52 miles on US-23 N directly into Clayton. From Knoxville, head on I-40 for 92 miles, take exit 27 to get on US-74. After 26 miles, merge onto US-23 S toward US-441. Continue on to the ramp after 21 miles for another 21 miles to reach Clayton.
See
Do
Do Black Rock Mountain
3 miles north of Clayton. Closed seasonally December 1 to March 15. Park open 7AM - 10PM. Office open 8AM - 5PM. With over 1,743 acres at the highest elevation for any park in Georgia, this park has over 10 cottages, 44 tent/trailer/RV campsites, 12 walk-in campsites, 2 picnic shelters, and a visitor center/gift shop.
Do Tallulah Gorge
Open 8AM to sunset. See this beautiful canyon that's over 2 miles long and 1,000 feet deep. There are spectacular views of waterfalls, cliff faces, and forest. A walking path follows an old railroad bed and a 10-mile mountain bike trail is available for use. Parking is $5.
Nearby
Highlands
City / town · 1 listings · 17 mi away
Walhalla
City / town · 12 listings · 21 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 2 listings · 21 mi away
Toccoa
City / town · 6 listings · 21 mi away
Helen
City / town · 50 listings · 22 mi away
Cashiers
City / town · 1 listings · 23 mi away
Lake Chatuge
Rural area · 2 listings · 24 mi away
Devils Fork State Park
Park · 2 listings · 26 mi away
My experience
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