Unicoi State Park & Lodge
A 53-acre lake, a lodge on the hill and about 10 minutes from downtown Helen
The short answer
$10
Georgia ParkPass, per day
2.5 mi
around 53-acre Unicoi Lake
7 AM to 10 PM
~10 min
If you only have a few hours in the mountains, Unicoi State Park packs a lot in: a lake you can walk around in about two hours, a lodge with three places to eat, zip lines, and trails that run all the way back to downtown Helen. It's run by the North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality, and the lodge's own site handles bookings for rooms, cabins, camping and activities.
Looking for wildlife and plants rather than activities? Our Unicoi nature guide covers that side of the park.
Fees and parking
Georgia ParkPass rates, October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Day-use parking | $10 per vehicle per day (Georgia ParkPass, good at every state park that day) |
| Annual ParkPass | $70 a year; seniors 62+ get 50% off and active military and veterans 25% off, in person |
| Overnight guests | Pay the daily fee once per stay |
| Lodge restaurants | Georgia State Parks exempts diners, but the lodge's site says all vehicles need the pass. Call 706-878-2201 |
| Anna Ruby Falls | Separate Forest Service site with its own $6 admission; the ParkPass isn't accepted there |
Full ParkPass rules are on the Georgia State Parks ParkPass page.
The lake and the trails
Start with the Lake Trail
The Lake Trail is a 2.5-mile loop around 53-acre Unicoi Lake, fed by Smith Creek, and it's easy enough for almost anyone. State Parks calls it a great fall hike for viewing leaves. For a longer day, the Unicoi/Helen Trail heads toward town and the Smith Creek Trail climbs toward Anna Ruby Falls. Mountain bikers have their own trails in the park too; ask at the visitor center for a current map and conditions.
| Trail | Length | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Trail | 2.5-mile loop | Easy loop around Unicoi Lake. State Parks calls it a great fall hike for viewing leaves. |
| Unicoi/Helen Trail | About 3 miles each way | Foot traffic only. Trailheads are at the far end of the lodge's level 3 lot, and the ParkPass applies there. |
| Smith Creek Trail | 4.8 miles one way | Runs to Anna Ruby Falls. FIND Outdoors lists it at 4.6 miles. |
More detail: the Helen to Unicoi trail guide and the mountain bike trails page.
Things to do
On the water, in the trees, on the range
The lodge's activities list covers zip lining, paddling, fly fishing, an archery and air gun range, hatchet throwing, mountain biking and the beach. The zip line tours run in partnership with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures, from a one-hour starter course to a four-hour tour with 19 lines and 9 suspension bridges. Details, ages and weight limits are on our zip line page.
| Activity | When / price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zip line tours | Level 1 $49, Level 2 $79, Level 3 $139 | Book through the lodge; see the zip line page for ages and weights |
| Kayaks, paddleboards, aqua cycles | Thu-Sun, 10 AM-5 PM | Rent at the visitor center; closed when lightning is within 5 miles |
| Swimming beach | Summer months, weather permitting | No lifeguards |
| Archery, air gun range, hatchet throwing | Ask at the lodge for times | Listed on the lodge's adventures page |
Where to stay and eat
Lodge, cabins, camping and three restaurants
The hillside lodge is the hub, and the barrel cabins are the most distinctive place to sleep. Rates change with the season and aren't listed on the lodge's pages, so book through the lodge's accommodations page or call 706-878-2201.
| Option | What you get |
|---|---|
| Lodge | 96 rooms (king, double queen and two-bed); 8 have roll-in showers. Restaurant, tavern and gift shop on site. |
| Cabins | 29 state park cabins: Smith Creek cabins (no TV or wi-fi, wood-burning fireplaces), barrel cabins, and lakeview deluxe cabins |
| Campground | Nearly 100 sites for RVs and tents, plus hammock and primitive sites |
| Glamping | 4 furnished safari tents with heating and air conditioning |
| Restaurant | Hours |
|---|---|
| Unicoi Restaurant | Breakfast daily, 7 to 10 AM, in the lodge |
| Smith Creek Tavern | Sun-Thu: lunch 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, dinner 4-9 PM. Fri-Sat: 11:30 AM-10 PM. Live music; groups of 4+ need a reservation. |
| Anna's Italian Kitchen | Thursday through Saturday, 4 to 8 PM, on the lodge's third floor (706-610-2662) |
Dining hours come from the lodge's dining page; call ahead on holidays.
Photo Gallery
Scenes from across the park
The lodge looks out over 53-acre Unicoi Lake.
Kayaks on Unicoi Lake, with forested ridges behind.
The lodge sits on a hillside above the lake.
The swimming beach is open in the summer months, weather permitting.
The barrel cabins sit on the hillside among the trees.
The longest zip line tour has 19 lines and 9 suspension bridges.
The Lake Trail circles Unicoi Lake.
Evening light over the ridgelines near the lake.
The park has mountain biking trails.
Getting there
About 10 minutes from downtown
The park entrance is at 1788 Highway 356, a short drive north of downtown Helen. If you'd rather leave the car, the Unicoi/Helen Trail connects the park and town on foot. Traffic backs up on Oktoberfest and leaf-season weekends, so go early. For lots and rates in town, see the Helen parking guide, and for color timing see fall color around Helen.
Nearby: Anna Ruby Falls, Smithgall Woods State Park and Hardman Farm.
Unicoi State Park questions
How much does it cost to visit Unicoi State Park?
Parking is $10 per vehicle per day with the Georgia ParkPass, which is good at every state park that day. An annual ParkPass is $70. Overnight guests pay the daily fee once per stay, and if you're only coming to eat at the lodge restaurants, call 706-878-2201 first: Georgia State Parks exempts diners, but the lodge's site says all vehicles need the pass.
What are the park hours?
The park is open daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, year-round. The visitor center is open Sunday through Thursday 10 AM to 5 PM and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM.
Can you swim at Unicoi State Park?
Yes. The beach on Unicoi Lake is open in the summer months, weather permitting, and there are no lifeguards. Day visitors pay the ParkPass parking fee. Kayaks, paddleboards and aqua cycles rent from the visitor center Thursday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
Where can I stay at Unicoi?
The lodge has 96 rooms. The park also has 29 cabins, nearly 100 campsites and 4 glamping safari tents. Rates change by season, so check unicoilodge.com or call 706-878-2201.
How much is the zip line at Unicoi?
There are three tours: Level 1 is $49 (about 1 hour), Level 2 is $79 (about 2 hours) and Level 3 is $139 (about 4 hours). Reservations go through the lodge at 706-878-2201.
Is Anna Ruby Falls part of Unicoi State Park?
No. You drive through Unicoi to reach it, but Anna Ruby Falls is a Forest Service site run by FIND Outdoors. It charges its own $6 admission for ages 16 and up and doesn't take the ParkPass, and you don't pay Unicoi's fee just for driving through.
Where to Stay Near Unicoi State Park
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