Picnic Spots Around Helen

The picnic spots around Helen run the full range, from the Bavarian-themed Riverside Park right downtown to the quiet, conservation-focused woods at Smithgall Woods and the shelters and lake at Unicoi State Park.

A couple of rules are worth knowing before you pack. Public alcohol consumption is generally off-limits on city streets and in state park public-use areas, and river tubing has its own ordinances banning coolers and glass to keep the Chattahoochee clean.

For food, you are in good hands: Betty’s Country Store makes custom deli sandwiches, and Hofer's Bakery turns out German pastries and breads, so an impromptu picnic comes together fast.

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 during the busy tourist season.

On Edelweiss Strasse, the City of Helen Riverside Park is the main public picnic area in town. It is an easy walk from the shops but feels like a different world from the busy Main Street sidewalks.

The park has a well-maintained picnic shelter, a playground, and clean restrooms, so it works well for families. It follows the town's German Alpine architecture too, with cobblestone alleys and towers framing the river view.

It sits near the Cool River tubing outpost, so you can watch tubers float down the Chattahoochee while you eat. On weekdays or early mornings, before the crowds arrive, it is genuinely peaceful.

Parking is the other draw. Unlike most of downtown, Riverside Park has plenty of open space, which makes hauling coolers and picnic gear easy.

Before you pack a cooler for your riverside picnic, know the local rules about alcohol and the river.

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

If you are pairing a picnic with river time, the rules are stricter still. City Code 46-22 bans coolers, glass containers, and alcohol on the Chattahoochee River within city limits, and tubers are limited to one plastic bottle of water (32 oz max) per person to cut down on litter. The Helen Police Department patrols the riverbanks to enforce it.

Located approximately two miles northeast of downtown Helen via GA Hwy 356, Unicoi State Park is a 1,023-acre facility centered around the 53-acre Smith Lake (commonly known as Unicoi Lake). It offers the highest density of picnic infrastructure in the region, catering to everything from solitary hikers to large corporate events.

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.

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.

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 the lake after lunch without moving your car.