Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge
Lake Chatuge, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and Blue Ridge scenery in Towns County
The short answer
Why make the trip
Hiawassee is a small town in Towns County, built around Lake Chatuge and about 35 minutes from Helen (21 miles). It's quieter and more spread out than Helen, but the lake, the festival grounds and a nearby resort give you plenty for a day. Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point, is close enough to add on.
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds keep the town busy through the year with the August fair, a fall festival, a haunted maze and a Christmas light show. See our fairgrounds guide for details.
Lake Chatuge
Lake Chatuge is a TVA reservoir on the Georgia and North Carolina line, completed in 1942, with roughly 7,000 acres of water and around 130 miles of mostly wooded shoreline. It's deepest at the dam, about 144 feet. Bass, hybrid bass and walleye are the usual catches. Our Lake Chatuge guide covers fishing, boating and swimming.
Swimming
Towns County runs a public beach on US-76. Check with the county for the season, amenities and whether lifeguards are on duty before you go.
Boat rentals
Boundary Waters Resort & Marina (107 Boundary Waters Drive, (706) 896-2530) rents pontoons, TriToons, runabouts, jet skis and kayaks, and has lakefront cabins.
The Ridges Resort
A lakefront resort and marina on the Georgia side. Call ahead for current rentals and lodging.
Fishing
You'll need a Georgia fishing license on the Georgia side, and North Carolina rules apply once you cross the state line on the water.
Fairgrounds events
Dates below come from the fairgrounds. Details and ticket prices are on the Georgia Mountain Fair page.
| Event | When | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Mountain Fall Festival | Oct 9-11 and 15-17, 2026 | $10, kids 12 and under free, free parking |
| The Haunted Village | Oct 29-31, 2026, 6:30-9:30 PM | $5 in advance, $7 at the gate; ages 6 and up |
| Mountain Country Christmas in Lights | Nov 26-Dec 31, 2026, 6-9 PM | $10 walk-through, kids 12 and under free; drive-thru nights $25 per car |
| Rhododendron Festival at Hamilton Gardens | Mid-April through Mother's Day 2027, dates to be announced | Check with the fairgrounds |
| Georgia Mountain Fair | Aug 13-21, 2027 | $10 in 2026, kids 12 and under free |
Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens
The gardens hold more than 400 varieties of rhododendron and native azalea, on easy 1- and 2-mile trail loops above Lake Chatuge. The bloom is the draw: the annual festival runs from mid-April through Mother's Day. Hamilton Gardens is part of the fairgrounds complex, and the phone number is (706) 896-4191. In 2026 the festival hours were 11 AM to 3 PM Monday to Thursday and 10 AM to 4 PM Friday to Sunday.
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa is just over the line in Young Harris, at 6321 Highway 76, (706) 379-9900. It has an 18-hole Scottish-links-style golf course designed by Denis Griffiths, the Equani Spa (open Monday to Saturday, reservations at (706) 379-2336), a full-service stables for guided trail rides and hayrides, and two restaurants, The Dining Room and Brassies Grill. Call the resort for current stables hours and prices.
Common questions
How far is Hiawassee from Helen?
About 35 minutes and 21 miles, mostly on GA-75 and US-76.
What is happening at the fairgrounds this month?
The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival runs October 9-11 and 15-17, 2026, with admission of $10 and free parking. The Haunted Village follows October 29-31.
When do the rhododendrons bloom at Hamilton Gardens?
The festival usually runs from mid-April through Mother's Day. Dates for 2027 haven't been announced.
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