Picnic Spots Around Helen

The Helen area gives you very different places to spread out a blanket, from the convenient, Bavarian-themed Riverside Park downtown to the quiet, conservation-focused seclusion of Smithgall Woods and the amenity-rich Unicoi State Park.

One thing to know before you pack: the alcohol rules here are strict. Public consumption is generally prohibited on city streets and within state park public-use areas, and river tubing has its own ordinances banning coolers and glass to protect the Chattahoochee.

Helen sits right at the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and the town has done a good job of building public green spaces along the water. These spots give you a place to spread out a blanket and eat without fighting for a restaurant table, especially during the busy tubing and leaf-peeping seasons.

City of Helen Riverside Park

Located on Edelweiss Strasse, the City of Helen Riverside Park is the main public picnic area within the city limits. It is an easy walk from the shops but feels like a world away from the bustle of Main Street.

The park has a well-maintained picnic shelter, a playground, and clean restrooms, which makes it an easy pick for families. It follows the town's German Alpine look, with cobblestone alleys and picturesque towers that frame the river view. It sits right by the Cool River tubing outpost, so you get a front-row seat to watch tubers float down the Chattahoochee, and on weekdays or early mornings when the crowds thin out it is genuinely peaceful.

Parking is one of the best things about it. Unlike much of downtown, Riverside Park has plenty of open space, which makes hauling coolers and picnic gear a lot easier. During the winter holidays the park is lit up with festive lights, so it stays a good gathering spot into the evening.

Know the Alcohol and River Rules

Before you pack a cooler for a riverside picnic in downtown Helen, know the local rules, especially about alcohol and the river.

The City of Helen enforces strict open container laws. It is unlawful to drink alcohol on public rights-of-way or public property, including parks and sidewalks. Some Georgia towns have "to-go cup zones" (like Savannah), but Helen does not permit open containers in these public spaces.

If you plan to picnic and get on the water, the river has its own protections. City Code 46-22 prohibits coolers, glass containers, and alcohol on the Chattahoochee within city limits, and tubers are limited to one plastic bottle of water (maximum 32 oz) per person to cut down on littering. The Helen Police Department patrols the riverbanks to enforce these rules.

About two miles northeast of downtown Helen on GA Hwy 356, Unicoi State Park covers 1,023 acres around the 53-acre Smith Lake (most people call it Unicoi Lake). It has more picnic tables, shelters, and grills than anywhere else nearby, and it works for everything from a solo lunch after a hike to a large family reunion.

Where to Set Up

Unicoi State Park distributes its picnic facilities across several distinct "sites," allowing visitors to choose between lakeside views, forest seclusion, or proximity to swimming areas.

Individual Picnic Tables: Numerous tables and grills are scattered throughout the park, available on a first-come, first-served basis. These are located on platforms, flat open areas, and along Smith Creek.

Group Shelters: The park features multiple covered picnic pavilions (shelters) equipped with tables, grills, water, and electrical outlets. These must be reserved in advance for a fee (typically $45-$75) and are ideal for planned gatherings.

Site #1: Situated on a forested point above the swimming beach. It offers seclusion but requires a walk to reach the restrooms at the beach house.

Site #2: Located at the rear of the swimming beach area, offering immediate access to the beach, fishing docks, and restrooms.

Site #4: A wooded, streamside location accessed via a steeper road, located near a playground and restrooms, offering a balance of shade and utility.

The Beach House

For premium events, the Beach House overlooks Unicoi Lake and can accommodate up to 75-100 guests. It includes a rock terrace and provides direct access to the swimming beach, making it the most upscale "picnic" option within the park system.

Swimming and Lake Activities

Unicoi is one of the few locations in the North Georgia mountains offering a designated swimming beach.

Swimming: The park maintains a designated sand beach on Smith Lake. Swimming is permitted during the summer, though no lifeguards are provided; swimmers must stay within roped-off areas.

Boating: Seasonal rentals for canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats are available at the beach area. You can paddle around after lunch without moving your car.

Pair It with a Hike

You can easily turn a Unicoi picnic into a hike:

Lake Trail: A 2.5-mile loop offering an easy, scenic walk around the reservoir.

Unicoi-to-Helen Trail: A 3-mile (one-way) moderate trail connecting the park to the city, allowing ambitious hikers to purchase food in Helen and hike it into the park.

People often lump Anna Ruby Falls together with Unicoi State Park since they share access roads, but it is actually a separate site run by the Chattahoochee National Forest. The picnic area here is all about the creek. You eat with the sound of rushing water as your soundtrack.

The Picnic Grounds

The picnic area at Anna Ruby Falls is near the visitor center and parking lot, not up at the falls themselves. The tables sit along Smith Creek, reached by a bridge from the parking lot, and there are about 14 tables and barbecue grills. With the sound of the creek and the dense shade of rhododendron and hardwood forest, it stays cool even in warm weather.

Accessibility: The picnic tables accommodate wheelchairs, in keeping with the area's accessibility features, which include the Lion's Eye Trail for the visually impaired.