Dahlonega

Dahlonega offers two beautiful scenic drives in the North Georgia Mountains that take in the magnificent landscapes throughout the year. The Lumpkin-Union Loop is a 63-mile drive that winds through the Appalachian Mountains and features several highlights such as Cane Creek Falls, Lake Trahlyta, Helton Creek Falls, Dockery Lake, and the Yahoola Valley. Other spectacular sights along the way include Dicks Creek Falls, Lake Winfield Scott, DeSoto Falls, Turners Corner, and the Suches Valley, with points of interest such as Trahlyta's Grave at Stone Pile Gap, Vogel State Park, and the Woody Gap. The Brasstown Bald Loop is a 106-mile drive that features deep valleys, winding mountain roads, excellent lookout points, and spectacular views. Highlights on this journey include Raven Cliff Falls, Dicks Creek Falls, Dockery Lake, Turners Corner, Unicoi Gap, the Byron Herbert Reece Farm & Heritage Center, and the Brasstown Bald, which is the highest point in Georgia.

The Lake Zwerner Trail is a 3.5-mile hiking and biking trail that runs around the perimeter of the Dahlonega Reservoir and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts, joggers, and cyclists. The well-established trail begins in one of two parking lots and starts along the shoreline of the lake before crossing a scenic creek about halfway and continuing its way around the lake. The route is an excellent simulation of the renowned Appalachian Trail for those training to hike the longer trail and offers a beautiful array of fauna and flora along the way. The path is suitable for all ages and levels of hiker and biker.

Located along Cane Creek in Fall Creek Falls State Park near Spencer, Cane Creek Falls is an 85-foot plunge waterfall created at the point where the Fall and Rockhouse Creeks meet and is the largest waterfall by volume in the park. The sheer force of the water has carved an impressive gorge through the woodland that is responsible for all the other falls and offers a breathtaking sight, which can be viewed from two outlook points above the waterfalls. The best views of the waterfall are from above Cane Creek Cascades, which is accessed by a swinging bridge and a walking trail that leads to Fall Creek Falls. Rockhouse Falls can also be seen from this viewpoint, which is right next to Cane Creek Falls. A short walk or bike ride from the park’s nature center will allow visitors to see all the waterfalls in the park.

Cane Creek Falls State Park, Dahlonega, GA 30533

The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo is an animal sanctuary and petting zoo that is home to a wide variety of animals and birds, ranging from white Siberian tigers, African lions, and grizzly bears to zebra, elk, and emus. In addition to providing and a safe and natural habitat in which the animals can reside, the wildlife reserve also offers private animal encounters where visitors can interact with certain species such as alligators, pythons, tortoises, bearded dragons, and cockatoos. Don’t miss the opportunity to have “breakfast with the big cats,” which is one of the zoo’s unique and unforgettable encounters. The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo offers customized group tours and field trips for all ages and hosts special occasions such as birthdays.

469 Old Dahlonega Hwy, Dahlonega, GA 30533, Phone: 678-859-6820

Crisson Mine is an open pit gold mine in Lumpkin County that allows visitors to explore the world of mining and learn more about how gold was found and mined in the area during the Georgia gold rush. Established in 1847, the mine was worked commercially until the early 1980s and is the oldest gold mining establishment in North Georgia that is open for the public to explore. The now tourist attraction features a 130-year-old rock crusher called a stamp mill, which is still used to crush quartz rock containing gold, and several antique gold mining machines such as rod mills and jaw crushers, which are also occasionally used. Visitors can pan for their gold with tractor scoops and trommels or search for gemstones in the large gemstone buckets. Friendly staff are on hand to answer questions and help with panning for gold or searching for gems.

2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy E, Dahlonega, GA 30533, Phone: 706-864-6363

Located in Lumpkin County just east of Dahlonega, the Dahlonega Consolidated Gold Mine was a working gold mine during the Georgia gold rush in the late 1800s. The mine produced gold for about 30 years until the mine's lower levels became flooded with water and were abandoned for several decades. Today, the shaft is a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can learn about the gold mining industry, how gold is found and mined from the ground or panned from rivers, and where it goes after that.

The mine still contains gold, and a part of the upper level of the mine remains open for tourists, who can try their hand at panning for gold, along with exploring portions of the Glory Hole, which was renowned for once being the wealthiest acre of land in the world. Tours of the mine are available and are guided by friendly and knowledgeable guides who share the history of gold mining in the Dahlonega area and what was once the largest gold mining operation east of the Mississippi River.

185 Consolidated Gold Mine Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533, Phone: 706-864-8473

The Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site is a museum that is dedicated to showcasing the mining history of Lumpkin County and honoring America's first gold rush. Located in the heart of Dahlonega overlooking Public Square, the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site is housed in the historic Old Lumpkin County Courthouse, which dates back to 1836 and is the oldest surviving county courthouse in the state. Set in the center of the town square, the museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and objects from the gold rush of 1836, including gold coins and nuggets, antique gold panning equipment and machinery, and more as well as a gift shop. Visitors can enjoy a short film about the history of gold mining and the role it played in Lumpkin County.

1 Public Square N, Dahlonega, GA 30533, Phone: 706-864-2257

Dahlonega Walking Tours offer a variety of walking tours that range from exploring the history of the town to discovering its many wineries and pubs to learning more about its haunted past. Tours include Grapes and Ghosts Wine Tours, which visit five different locations in Dahlonega’s square with samplings of wine and haunted tales, and the Historic Ghost Tour, which includes stops at the historic courthouse, the square’s most haunted restaurant, the Crimson Moon, and landmark residences around the square. Other tours include a Boos and Brews Pub Crawl, a Dahlonega History Tour, and a Paranormal Investigation Tour, all of which are led by friendly expert guides who share their passion and knowledge for the city, its history and haunted past, and its fantastic food and wine with visitors along the way.

19 E Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533, Phone: 706-482-8795