Unicoi State Park

Unicoi State Park is just a few minutes from downtown Helen, and at over 1,050 acres, it feels like a completely different world. The park wraps around the 53-acre Unicoi Lake (also called Smith Lake) and packs in a lodge, cabins, trails, a zip line canopy tour, mountain biking, and enough year-round activities to fill a long weekend. In summer you can kayak across the lake before breakfast. In fall, the trails glow with color. It is the kind of park that works whether you want adventure or just a quiet spot by the water.

Unicoi State Park traces its roots to the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established a camp along Smith Creek, north of the current lodge site. The park officially opened on June 5, 1954, as the 278-acre White County Area State Park, spearheaded by local businessman Charlie Maloof, with few initial facilities beyond basic access. By the 1960s, it evolved into the Unicoi Outdoor Recreation Experiment Station, expanding to over 2,000 acres under the North Georgia Mountains Authority; the lodge opened in 1973, prompting the full renaming to Unicoi State Park in 1974.

The name "Unicoi" derives from the Cherokee language, reflecting the area's indigenous heritage amid the Chattahoochee National Forest. Today, managed by the North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality, it remains one of Georgia's most popular parks, blending historical CCC influences - like stone structures - with modern amenities.

Unicoi State Park Lodge, completed in 1973, features 100 rooms with wireless internet, on-site restaurants (Unicoi Restaurant for Southern cuisine and Smith Creek Tavern for casual bites and craft beers), conference facilities for meetings or weddings, and lake views. Reservations are handled at (800) 573-9659; rates vary seasonally but expect $150–$300 per night based on room type and demand. Guests rave about the remodeled rooms and buffet lunches, making it ideal for families or groups.

Cabins and Unique Stays

The park offers cozy cabins, including fishing cabins, treehouses, and unique wine barrel cottages right on the lake with scenic views and BBQ grills. Rental rates range from $80–$150 per night, with minimum stays (often 2 nights, longer during holidays); book via (800) 573-9659 or (706) 878-2201. Wheelchair-accessible cabins enhance inclusivity, and safari tents or glamping options provide rustic luxury amid the woods. Insider tip: Barrel cabins are perfect for a romantic getaway - wake to mist rising off the lake, grill fresh trout, and feel worlds away from Helen's crowds.

Unicoi Lake is a 53-acre impoundment on Smith Creek and is the center of everything at the park. In summer, you can swim at the sand beach, rent canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, or paddleboards, or bring your own non-motorized boat. Fishing docks line the shore, and trout fishing is best in the cooler months when cold water temperatures bring the fish in closer. Kayak rentals run $10 to $20 per hour. If you go out at dawn, before the crowds arrive, you will likely have the lake to yourself except for the herons stalking the shallows. Weekends get busy, especially in summer.

The park has over 12 miles of hiking trails. The easiest is a 1/3-mile nature loop around a pond. The most ambitious is the 5-mile one-way trek to Anna Ruby Falls. In between, the 2-mile Unicoi Lake Trail loop circles the water past docks and marshland, and the 3-mile Unicoi to Helen Trail winds through rhododendrons and creek crossings before dropping you into Helen at Unicoi Hill City Park. All trails are foot-traffic only; grab a map at the Visitor Center. Winter hiking is underrated here. The bare branches open up views you cannot see in summer, and fall foliage is the obvious draw. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds and improve your chances of spotting deer or turkeys.

Unicoi Zipline, operated within the park, offers three guided tours: youth, beginner, and advanced (Screaming Eagle with 17–19 ziplines up to 1/2-mile long, suspension bridges, and lake-over zips reaching 100 feet high). Tours last 2–3 hours; prices $80–$150/person, book via unicoizipline.com or (706) 878-2201. Safety features like closed belay systems suit families; go advanced for heart-pounding thrills amid treetops.

Mountain Biking

The 7–8-mile singletrack loop, built on an old roadbed as a NORBA racing course, challenges experienced riders with elevation changes, creek follows, and technical sections ($2 daily/$25 annual pass from March 1). Trailhead near fishing parking; not for beginners. Pro tip: Fall's cooler temps and colorful vistas make it epic - rent bikes nearby if needed, and hydrate on climbs.

Unicoi keeps busy year-round with a rotating calendar of activities. There is archery, an air gun range, hatchet throwing, level-1 fly fishing classes on Smith Creek, GPS scavenger hunts, and monthly animal encounters (reptiles on the 2nd Saturday). Seasonal events include the Fireside Craft Show in February, a Visiting Artist Series from May through September, and Breakfast with Santa in December. Families will find beach volleyball, playgrounds, campfire story nights, and amphitheater programs. Winter is prime time for trout fishing because of the cold water; summer is when the lake swimming crowds arrive.

Spring (March–May): Mild temps (50–70°F) bloom wildflowers; ideal for hiking and fishing before summer heat. Fewer crowds post-winter.

Summer (June–August): Peak season for lake swimming/beach (day highs ~80°F), boating, zip lining. Book ahead; beach busiest weekends.

Fall (September–November): Prime time - vibrant leaves (October peak), cooler biking/hiking (50–70°F), Helen Oktoberfest synergy. Trails magical but crowded.

Winter (December–February): Tranquil (day highs 50–60°F), trout fishing, crafts, fireside coziness. Snow rare but possible; fewer visitors, lower rates. Visit mid-week year-round for solitude; avoid Helen holidays for traffic.