9 Best Day Trips from Blue Ridge, GA (With Drive Times)
Blue Ridge makes a great home base. Within about 15 minutes to two hours of downtown you can stand on Georgia's highest peak, raft an Olympic whitewater river, wander a Bavarian-style village, see the state's tallest waterfall or spend a day at a big-city aquarium. The best day trips from Blue Ridge, GA cover a lot of ground without ever needing to change cabins.
This guide covers nine favorites, a drive-time table to help you choose, what to do at each stop, and tips for planning a day out and getting back in time for the hot tub.
At a glance | |
|---|---|
Closest day trip | McCaysville & Copperhill, about 15 minutes |
Farthest in this guide | Chattanooga, about 1 hour 40 minutes |
Best for fall color | Brasstown Bald, Amicalola Falls, the drive to Helen |
Best for kids | Chattanooga, Ellijay orchards, McCaysville |
Best for adventure | Ocoee River, Amicalola Falls |
Time needed | Half day to a full day each |
Day trips from Blue Ridge: drive times at a glance
Drive times below are approximate, from downtown Blue Ridge, without stops or traffic. Mountain roads are slower than they look on a map, so give yourself a cushion, especially on October weekends.
Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. drive | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
McCaysville, GA & Copperhill, TN | 11 miles | 15 min | State line, small-town browsing, the train |
Ellijay, GA | 16 miles | 20 min | Apple orchards, fall festivals |
Ocoee Whitewater Center, TN | 21 miles | 30 min | Rafting, river trails, mountain biking |
Blairsville, GA | 23 miles | 25–30 min | Small-town square, gateway to Brasstown Bald |
Murphy, NC | 25 miles | 35–40 min | A North Carolina mountain town, museums |
Amicalola Falls State Park | 35 miles | 45 min | Georgia's tallest waterfall |
Brasstown Bald | 40 miles | 1 hour | Georgia's highest point |
Helen, GA | 48 miles | 1 hr 15 min | Alpine village, Oktoberfest, river |
Chattanooga, TN | 81 miles | 1 hr 40 min | Aquarium, riverfront, city day |
1. McCaysville & Copperhill: the easy one
Two towns, one downtown and a state line painted right across the street. McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee are the closest day trip on this list, and you can even get there by train on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Expect antique shops, cafes, a riverside walk where the Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee, and copper-mining history.
Our tip: go on a weekday afternoon after the train has left, when downtown is calmer. Our McCaysville & Copperhill guide covers where to eat and what to see.
2. Ellijay: apple country
Ellijay, the Gilmer County seat about 20 minutes south, calls itself the Apple Capital of Georgia, and it earns the title every fall. The Georgia Apple Festival is held at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds over two weekends each October, and orchards along the highways open for picking, cider, fried pies and hayrides in season. The small downtown has shops and restaurants for a relaxed afternoon.
Our tip: pair Ellijay with a stop at Mercier Orchards on the Blue Ridge side. See our apple season guide for timing.
3. Ocoee River: whitewater and Olympic history
About half an hour north, past Copperhill, the Ocoee River hosted the canoe and kayak slalom events of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The Ocoee Whitewater Center, now run by the U.S. Forest Service, has easy riverside trails, picnic spots and access to the Tanasi mountain bike trail system. Outfitters run guided rafting trips on the Middle Ocoee, which has scheduled water releases through much of the warm season, and on the steeper Upper Ocoee on select summer days.
Our tip: book rafting in advance and check release dates; no water release means no whitewater. Our Ocoee rafting guide has the details.
4. Blairsville: a mountain square and the way to the top
Blairsville is a classic North Georgia county seat about 25 minutes east, with a small downtown, local restaurants and easy access to lakes and trails. It's also the most direct gateway to Brasstown Bald, so many visitors combine the two.
Our tip: take the slower, scenic back route via Old Highway 76 on the way out and the main highway home.
5. Brasstown Bald: Georgia's highest point
At 4,784 feet, Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia, about an hour from Blue Ridge via Blairsville and the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. From the parking area, a steep paved trail of roughly half a mile climbs to the summit observation deck; a seasonal shuttle has historically run for those who'd rather ride. On a clear day the view stretches across several states, and Atlanta's skyline can be visible on the horizon.
Our tip: check the Forest Service site before you go, since the visitor center and shuttle operate seasonally and there is a parking fee. Clear fall mornings give the best views.
6. Murphy, NC: a North Carolina mountain town
Cross into North Carolina in about 35 to 40 minutes. Murphy, the Cherokee County seat, sits where the Hiwassee and Valley rivers meet. Browse the small downtown, visit the Cherokee County Historical Museum in the old Carnegie Library, or try your luck at Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino. The John C. Campbell Folk School, known for its craft classes and shop, is a short drive farther in Brasstown.
Our tip: Murphy pairs well with a scenic loop; continue on toward the Nantahala Gorge if you have a full day.
7. Amicalola Falls: Georgia's tallest waterfall
Amicalola Falls State Park, about 45 minutes southeast near Dawsonville, is home to a 729-foot cascading waterfall, often called the tallest in Georgia. Stairs and an observation bridge bring you right alongside the falls, and the park is also the start of the 8-mile Approach Trail to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. The park lodge's restaurant is a good stop for a meal with a view.
Our tip: the waterfall stairs are a real workout, so pace yourself and wear good shoes. Expect a daily parking fee, as at most Georgia state parks.
8. Helen: a Bavarian-style alpine village
Helen, about an hour and 15 minutes east, has required Bavarian-style architecture since 1969, which gives the whole town the look of a German alpine village. It's known for its long-running Oktoberfest each fall, shops, food and the Chattahoochee River running through town. Unicoi State Park sits just outside town, and Anna Ruby Falls is reached through the park.
Our tip: the drive is half the trip. The route through Suches and over the mountains is beautiful but has long stretches without services, so fill up before you leave.
9. Chattanooga: a city day
About an hour and 40 minutes northwest, Chattanooga makes a great change of pace, especially with kids or on a rainy day. The Tennessee Aquarium on the riverfront spans two buildings, River Journey and Ocean Journey, on one ticket and is open daily. Walk the riverfront and its parks, grab dinner downtown, and drive back to the mountains in the evening.
Our tip: Chattanooga is on Eastern time like Blue Ridge, so there's no clock change to worry about. Leave early to make the most of a long day.
Local tips for day trips
Start early. Mountain roads are slower than map estimates, and parking at Amicalola, Brasstown Bald and Helen fills on fall weekends.
Fill up and bring snacks. Some mountain routes, especially toward Helen, have long stretches without gas stations.
Expect spotty cell service. Download offline maps before you go.
Check seasonal hours and fees. State parks and national forest sites charge parking fees, and some visitor centers close in winter.
Pair nearby stops. Blairsville and Brasstown Bald go together; so do McCaysville and the Ocoee; Ellijay and Amicalola Falls are about 30 minutes apart.
Sample day-trip combinations
Mountain high: Blairsville for a late breakfast, Brasstown Bald summit, back via the Old Highway 76 scenic route.
River day: McCaysville in the morning, rafting or the river trail at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in the afternoon.
Apples and waterfalls: Ellijay orchards in the morning, then Amicalola Falls in the afternoon.
Rainy day: Chattanooga for the aquarium and a city lunch.
Where to stay
A central base makes every one of these trips easy. Sacred Summit sits about 5 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge, sleeps 12 and has sweeping mountain views to come home to. Sacred Creek Retreat in Cherry Log, about 8 miles south of town, is a dog-friendly log cabin on 4.7 private acres along a trout stream, sleeps 14, and has a hot tub, cedar sauna and creekside firepit for the end of a long day out. It's also handy for trips south toward Ellijay and Amicalola Falls.
Book direct to skip third-party platform fees. Here's why booking direct matters.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best day trip from Blue Ridge, GA?
For most first-timers, McCaysville and Copperhill (by car or train) or Brasstown Bald. Families often love Chattanooga, and adventurers head to the Ocoee River.
How far is Helen from Blue Ridge, GA?
About 48 miles, or roughly an hour and 15 minutes by car over mountain roads.
How far is Blue Ridge from Chattanooga?
About 81 miles, roughly an hour and 40 minutes by car.
Is Brasstown Bald worth the drive from Blue Ridge?
Yes, especially on a clear day. It's about an hour away and is Georgia's highest point, with a short but steep paved walk to a summit observation deck.
What is the closest waterfall day trip from Blue Ridge?
Amicalola Falls State Park, about 45 minutes away, has the tallest waterfall in Georgia. See our waterfall hikes guide for closer options.
Updated October 2026. Details change — confirm hours and conditions before you go.
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