Union County • Blairsville • Suches • North Georgia Mountains

From the depths of Lake Nottely's deep blue waters, to the beauty of Vogel State Park; from the heights of Brasstown Bald, to a section of the renowned Appalachian Trail, Union County, is by far one of the most beautiful and diverse mountain regions in all the Blue Ridge Mountain Province. Mountain vistas stretch beyond the horizon offering an experience that both captivates the eye and moves the soul.

Union County is located at the center of the North Georgia Mountains, just below Brasstown Bald’s 4,748-foot summit.  Union County is often considered the home of Brasstown Bald, when in fact this high mountain summit hugs the county border between Union County and neighboring Towns County.

Technically the bald is just inside Towns County, what often raises the confusion concerning the bald’s geographical location is that the Brasstown Bald U.S. Forest Service, Brasstown Ranger District is in Blairsville - Union County.

What does stand as fact in Union County’s claim for height status, is the community of Suches, located in the rugged southwestern mountains of Union County. At approximately 3,000-feet above sea level, Suches is respectively known as Georgia’s highest mountain community.

Nearly half of Union County resides in the Chattahoochee National Forest, taking up 98,000-acres, brimming with wilderness lands, wildlife, wildflowers, unique foliage and forestlands. The County is a wonderland of outdoor recreation, events and festivals, a historic downtown, farmsteads and museums, all located in quaint mountain township communities.

The landscape is made up of broad valleys and meadowlands, lakes both big and small, and rushing waterways all waiting to be explored. You'll find hiking, fishing, camping, boating, water-skiing, swimming, mountain biking, horseback riding, ornithology (bird-watching), an archaeological site to explore, scenic driving tours, plus there's the nearby Ocoee River for exciting whitewater rafting and kayaking.

Across Union County's beautiful mountain landscape you'll find lakes, rivers, creeks, trout streams, waterfalls, campgrounds, hiking trails, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, lodging, dining and shopping.  If that isn't enough, you will also find, a challenging public golf course, a highly rated municipal park and city airport, a stately community center, a two-year state of at art technical college, the Saddle Club Arena, the Union County Historical Society, the historic Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center, a miniature railroad museum, a popular farmers market, a county resident cannery, and the University of Georgia Department of Agriculture's Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center, plus so much more. Union County possess a wealth of natural resources and history along with mountain vistas that defy description.

Union County was formed out of the greater Cherokee County which encompassed several of today’s North Georgia Counties. In 1847 Union County was incorporated making the town of Blairsville the County Seat and center of Commerce. Standing proudly on the center of the town square in Blairsville is the Romanesque-style courthouse built in 1899. The distinctive white clock tower atop the red brick courthouse rises above all structures visible from anywhere within the city limits of Blairsville.

What drew Union County’s ancestors to this mountain region was gold fever, spurred on by the late 1820’s gold strike in Auraria near the town of Dahlonega in Lumpkin County which is just south of Union County. The gold rush didn’t persist for very long once greater gold strikes drew the masses of fortune hunters to the distant lands of California in 1849. Even though you can still pan the high-grade gold out of streams and creeks or chisel it from veins of quarts along mountain sides, (with written permission from forestry or private property owners), it was the majestic beauty and isolation of these mountain lands and valleys that kept the people coming to Union County and its mountainous neighboring counties.

Today Union County is an ever growing mountain community with county planners paving the way for greater and more convenient commercial services.   Highway 515, a 4-laned corridor through Blairsville, has been dedicated the Zell Miller Highway, honoring local native and former Georgia Governor and Senator Zell Miller.  This important artery, connects to I-575 to the southwest and leads directly from Atlanta to the very doorstep of Blairsville.

It wasn’t long ago that local direction given anywhere in Union County would start out with, “go to the stoplight and turn” (obviously the only stoplight), that would only confuse guests visiting Blairsville today.

What hasn’t changed is the ageless personality and hospitality of Union County’s hometown charm; the only difference has been more conveniences made available to this laid back mountain community. The growth of Blairsville has been on a steady march, which includes major corporate chain stores; an ever-expanding award winning hospital and local medical services, new public school buildings and the newly constructed and well-appreciated North Georgia Technical College.

The Blairsville Municipal Airport is located approximately 2.5-miles west of Blairsville. Presently the airport runway is 100-feet wide and 5,000-feet long and can accommodate most general aviation airplanes, including single and twin engines, small jets, Citations, and Lear jets.

Hangers and tie-down services are available. Fuels offered are 100 low-lead gas, and jet "A" fuel. The airport staff are on duty 7-days a week to accommodate air commuter's needs, including auto rentals, lodging and dining information.  The airport is a favorite of small corporate jets, and private owned planes whose pilots love to cruise the open skies over mountain summits and large valleys.

Union County Farmers Market in Blairsville GA • Every Tues & Sat ~ June through October

The Union County Farmers Market has over 60 covered vendor spaces in our outdoor setting.

The facility located at 290 Farmers Market Way off of Weaver Road is home to a variety of events and festivals outside of the seasonal market.

Those events include a ramp festival, strawberry jubilee, trash to treasures sale, relay for life event, and an outdoor business expo.

148 Old Smokey Rd • Blairsville, GA • 706.439.6000 • CCFarmersMarket.com

Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals, Managing Privately Owned Cabins

Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals offers many vacation rental cabins which allow you to experience a little piece of heaven every time you visit. Our private luxury cabins provide a getaway retreat for couples, families and friends who love nature and the outdoors. Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals manages these privately owned luxury cabin rentals, all of which are located within minutes of Blue Ridge, Georgia and the beautiful Ocoee River and Toccoa River.

224 Blue Ridge Dr  • McCaysville, GA  •  877.628.3353  •  www.CuddleUpCabinRentals.com

Highlander Fine Arts, Authentic Mountain Photography and Fine Crafts

When you are visiting the Blue Ridge - Smoky Mountains, a stop by the Highlander Gallery is well worth your time. The Highlander Gallery represents some of the finest artists in the mountains.  With a large assortment of Fine Art Photography and Fine Crafts as well.

Here are a sampling of the artists you will find....Anthony Abreu • Michael Bedoian • Juanita Greenspan • Linda Thompson • Tonya Fowler • Jason Fowler • Chris Jones • Les Smith • Chuck Waldroup • Joe Waldroup • Billy Reynolds • Randy Rowe • Thomas Payne •  Frances McCord • Rita Poole • Clive Poole • Marla McCormick • Don Milsaps

Wednesday - Saturday 11:00 ish - 5:00 ish
10079 Old Highway 64  •  Brasstown, NC  • 828.835.9982  • www.HighlanderGallery.com

Great Mountain Properties & Cabin Rentals in now accepting additional cabins

Whether you purchased your mountain home as an occasional getaway, an investment, or the destination of your future retirement, we realize the importance that it be respected as your home first and foremost.

It is our objective to provide you with both quality property management as well as a rental program to help offset some of the expense of owning a 2nd home. Through the combined knowledge of all of us at Great Mountain Cabin Rentals, we have the expertise to help you understand and create a Great Mountain Cabin Rental.

896 Green Cove Road  •  Brasstown, NC 28902  • 828.835.3275  •  www.GreatMountainCabinRentals.com

Trout Treks • Bass Fishing • Wade • Pan Fishing • Fly Fishing • Private Trophy Trout Waters • Drift Boat Trips

Great mountain adventures is offering the "Best Fishing" available in the Mountains. We create a fishing trip, designed specifically towards your needs with a professional fishing guide to guide you to make the most of your fishing adventure on the Finest Lakes, Rivers and Streams in the Southern Appalachians!

So much water to choose from and an adventure you'll never forget.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMountainFishing.com

Rafting on the Ocoee River

The Ocoee River is often described as the roller coaster of the southeast. Come experience what has been called the greatest white water center in the world.

Professional river outfitter with over 30 years experience. Our safety record is unsurpassed in the industry. We believe our staff is simply the best in the business. Guides are chosen for their character and enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with you.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

Rafting on the Nantahala River

Experience this unforgettable whitewater adventure through the gorge. The Nantahala is exciting, and a great time, but not as wild as the Ocoee.  This is a river that you can bring children on as young as seven years old.

Experience the excitement of Patton's Run, the fun and splash of Tumble Dry, the rush and roar of riding Class III Nantahala Falls. For a bigger thrill, try taking one of our Duckies down the river!

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

Zip Line Canopy Tours...Nantahala Gorge • Chattooga Ridge • Asheville • Pigeon River

Whichever course you choose you are sure to enjoy the newest outdoor adventure to hit the US.

All our courses offer a soaring and gliding experience naturally fueled by a gradual drop in elevation. All trips offer fully guided tours with 2 or more Rangers on at least 10 zips, 4 bridges beginning with a training course at each location.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

Adventure Camp on the Ocoee & Nantahala Rivers

White Water Rafting on the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers • Horseback Riding • High and Low Ropes Course • Giant Swing • Caving • Paint ball • Mountain Biking • Camping & Cabin Rental

Catch the surge and ride the rapids on the exciting Ocoee River in Tennessee or North Carolina's Nantahala River for an experience you won't forget. Challenge your skills on the high ropes just for the thrill. Sit tall in the saddle for a leisure ride through the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Camp out or stay in log cabins while letting the kids sleep in groups in one of several bunkhouse's. We will help you create a custom retreat for you or your group.

 tara@greatmountainretreats.com  •  828.835.3275  •  GreatYouthRetreats.com

Tim Noland, Realtor® - Buyer's Agent • North Georgia & Western North Carolina

When looking to buy mountain property, you need someone that not only understands the mountains, you need someone that specifically represents you, the buyer. When you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you are assured that you have an agent that is truly looking for your best interests, someone that will not only find what you are looking for, but someone that will negotiate the best price possible.

10886 Old Highway 64 • Brasstown, NC 28902  •  828.557.1009  •  GreatMtnRealEstate.com

Keri Conner, Realtor/Broker

My name is Keri Conner, I have lived in these mountains all my life, and have been a successful Realtor since 2001.  I know from personal experience why you want your own special place in the mountains and I know how to help you find that special place.  Whether you are looking for a luxury mountain home, log cabin, a view property, river or creek property, a lake front home or property, or a large tract of mountain property, I will help you not only find the right real estate purchase, I will help you through the entire real estate process, including closing.  If you are looking to sell your mountain home, to downsize or are finally ready to buy your new bigger dream home or cabin, I am the Realtor/Broker you need.  Check out our Featured Listings....

224 Blue Ridge Drive, McCaysville, GA  • 706-964-6470  •  RealEstateGeorgiaMountains.com

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