http://www.whitecountychamber.org/about-white-county

White County, the 123rd county formed in Georgia, was created in 1857 from a part of the original land lot county of Habersham. In early times, the area of White County formed a transitional boundary between the Cherokee and Creek Native-American nations. The county was named for Newton County Rep. David T. White, who helped to attain passage of an act creating the new county. White County’s rich history has prepared its people for the challenges of tomorrow while instilling a strong sense of community and a desire for new opportunities.

Gold was found in White County in the late 1820’s on the Nacoochee River, then known as Duke’s Creek, touching off the Great Gold Rush of that century. Gold mining operations are still found today along the banks of the Town and Tesnatee Creeks in western White County.

Today, White County abounds with growth in business and industry. The application of new and emerging technologies allows the community to keep pace with the ever changing world. As you visit with us, we hope that you will see that White County has much to offer the young and young at heart, the laid-back and the adventurous spirit, the urbanite and the country traveler.

White County’s unspoiled mountains offer unparalleled outdoor recreation.

There are many private and state parks and recreation areas, as well as guided or solo excursions down rivers or across mountaintops. The area also has scenic golf courses and youth and adult sports leagues. White County has fun for everyone from the seasoned outdoor adventurer to the weekend golfer.

The White County Parks YMCA is a 40-acre facility that supports one gym, one weight room, two tennis courts, five ball fields, a swimming pool and a pavilion.  Baseball, basketball, football, softball, and cheerleading are offered, as well as the Young Misses Beauty Pageant, bi-monthly teen dances, and summer day camps.  Active Adults gives seniors a chance to stay flexible and healthy, and spring and fall are filled with the excitement of adult softball.  For more information about the YMCA, please call (706) 865-5275.

Unicoi State Park offers swimming and fishing, as well as camping, hiking and picnicking. There is a beautiful waterfall and plenty of trails to explore. With a 100-room lodge, 30 cottages and numerous campsites, Unicoi is a special attraction for families or anyone seeking outdoor mountain recreation.

Anna Ruby Falls is another attraction you don’t want to miss. Two creeks flow off Tray Mountain and come together in a spectacular double waterfall. Curtis Creek plummets 153 feet and York Creek falls 50 feet to form Smith Creek at the bottom of the falls. A paved 0.4-mile footpath leads to the bottom of the falls. The longer, more challenging Smith Creek Trail leads from the base of the falls to Unicoi State Park. The Lion’s Eye Trail gives blind or visually impaired persons the opportunity to experience the environment along Smith Creek. Braille signs interpret various features of the area. Anna Ruby Falls, named for the daughter of Colonel John H. Nichols who once owned the land, is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The mighty Chattahoochee River flows through White County lending its majesty to the land around it. Breath-taking vistas are popular along the river. Several outposts rent inner tubes for a leisurely float down parts of the Chattahoochee or canoes and kayaks for a guided trip down swift whitewater on other parts.

History of the Area

In the Northwest portion of the Chattahoochee, on the other side of Interstate 75, the mountain peaks are lower and shaped in long, narrow ridges, separated by valleys. These valleys have been used for centuries as human and animal passage ways. Great armies clashed here during the Civil Was as Union General William Tecumseh Sherman led his troops towards the fateful battle of Atlanta, which sealed the Confederacy’s doom.

Trails

With over 430 miles of trails on the Chattahoochee, it’s hard to find an area without some type of footpath! From short day hikes to more arduous trips, for novices or experts, there is a trail for every level, every purpose, The four long-distance trails on the Chattahoochee are great for backpacking: the Benton MacKaye (53 miles), Bartram (37 miles), Duncan Ridge (35.5 miles), and Appalachian (79 miles).

Area Attractions

Brasstown Bald is the highest peak in Georgia. Shuttle vans carry most visitors from a parking lot to the top, but hardy hikers climb the path to the crest. Winds are always present on the lofty summit, which provides breathtaking views from the Visitor Center’s observation deck.
The cool, still hush of the surrounding lush forest is broken only by the thundering water of Anna Ruby Falls. This unique double waterfall cascades off of Tray Mountain in a spectacular 153-foot drop. The Lion’s Eye Trail for the Blind adds a special dimension to one of Georgia’s most visited spots.

http://www.helenga.org/

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, this Northeast Georgia village has a rich history linked to the Cherokee Indians and Indian burial mounds as well as early settlers who arrived to mine for gold and cut virgin timber for a thriving lumber industry in the early 1900s. Helen is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. We’ve got shopping, camping, both rustic and luxury mountain cabins, restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, mountains, theater, recreation, romantic getaways, beautiful scenery, family activities, waterfalls, museums, history, art, fishing, tubing, golf, and more. Something for every member of the family.

Festivals and special events include a hot air balloon race, Winefest, Volksmarch, Oktoberfest and Christmas parades, Fourth of July fireworks, and Bavarian Nights of Summer. From mid-September through October, Helen hosts the longest Oktoberfest in the South. Alpenfest offers entertainment during the Holiday season from Thanksgiving through December.

The Yonah Mountain Vineyards

http://www.yonahmountainvineyards.com/index.html

Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a privately held 197 acre estate. Visits to the vineyard and winery are best made by joining the Tour de la Cave & Barrel Tasting, which is offered the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Visits to the vineyard can also be made by appointment.

Currently, seven varieties of grapes are thriving on of the rolling hills property. The vineyard was originally planted with Chardonnay in 2007 and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2009.  Five thousand vines, including Merlot, Cabernet Franc and other noble grapes, were planted in 2011 for a total of 13  acres under cultivation. 

The Yonah Name

Yonah Mountain is a geological formation of granite that rises from the surrounding landscape separate from the Appalachian range of mountains.  It is an ancient and distinctive mountain whose humped profile can be seen from miles around.  Yonah Mountain takes its name from the Cherokee word “yonah” for “bear.”  The logo of Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a black bear with a spiral arrow within it.

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The waterfalls around Cashiers range from breathtaking to peaceful to exciting to mammoth..

Cashiers sits right on the Eastern Continental Divide.  Some of the water flows to the Atlantic, some to the Gulf of Mexico.  Either way, the headwaters begin right here in Cashiers.

There are many opportunities to view waterfalls in the area. Wherever you go, remember to use common sense and respect the water flow, the slippery surfaces and the rather hard rocks. By hiking by these falls, you are giving yourself more than enough potential energy to fall back down with a bang. Please be careful.

Cashiers Waterfalls

• Bear Wallow Falls
  Bear Wallow Falls is a decent waterfall in Gorges State Park. While the hike to the fall is great, the view of the fall from the observation platform is below average. As an outing, this hike is recommended, but for the waterfall lovers, see some of the others in the area first.

• Bridal Veil Falls
  Located just yards from Hwy. 64 west of Highlands, Bridal Veil Falls is the easiest waterfall to find in the area. A small stream plummets about 30 feet in a light roadside trickle.

• Bull Pen
  Bull Pen is as much rapid as waterfall. While not the most dramatic falls in the area, this is a great place to hang out for a while and explore the Chattooga River Trail. Also, the potholes in the rock are amazing and worth the visit.

• Drift Falls
  Drift Falls is a huge slide waterfall on the Horsepasture River. While the fall itself is on private property, you can view Drift from below. But do not cross the property boundary, as they are serious about this.

• Dry Falls
  Dry Falls is a very easy waterfall to visit near Highlands. A parking lot lies just off of Hwy. 64 west of Highlands, and a short, paved path leads to a dramatic, walk-behind waterfall of about 40 feet.

• Frolictown Falls
  Frolictown Falls is a small but nice waterfall in Panthertown Valley. Hiking in this area, you really get the feel of being in the woods. There are no panoramas from this thickly vegetated valley floor. Be sure to get a map of Panthertown Valley or find someone to lead you, as the trails can be tricky.

• Glen Falls
  If you are visiting Highlands, and you would like to check out a waterfall, Glen Falls is a must see. While not as easy to reach as Bridal Veil Falls or Dry Falls, Glen Falls is absolutely worth the hike. Totalling almost 150’ within three tiers, Glen offers many great viewpoints.

• Granny Burrell Falls
  Granny Burrell Falls is located in Nantahala National Forest’s Panthertown Valley area. It is a long, slide waterfall and makes a great place for a picnic. The deep, flat valley floor in Panthertown is a great place to get away in Cashiers but is quite rugged. The area can also be quite a labyrinth, so pay attention to landmarks along the way.

• Rainbow Falls
  Rainbow Falls is definitely one of the most spectacular falls in the area. Part of a series of waterfalls on the Horsepasture River, the hike to Rainbow is absolutely first-class.

• Schoolhouse Falls
  Schoolhouse Falls is a smaller but remarkable waterfall in Panthertown Valley. As with all excursions within Panthertown, a trail map is highly recommended. The waterfall splashes into a large plunge pool and allows hikers to venture behind the fall as it flows over. Be careful not to impact the rare vegetation.

• Silver Run Falls
  Though not quite as easy as others in the area, Silver Run Falls is another easy fall to find. Located on Hwy. 107 South about ten minutes from Cashiers, a short gravel and dirt path leads to the falls. Just be careful around the plunge pool, as it can be slippery.

• Toxaway Falls
  Runner-up to Bridal Veil Falls as the easiest waterfall to reach in the area, Toxaway Falls certainly wins as the most dramatic easy-to-reach waterfall in the area. A winding 250’ cascade and slide, Toxaway Falls is viewable from multiple angles on Hwy. 64 East near Toxaway as the river passes under a bridge and over a cliff.

• Turtleback Falls
  Turtleback Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the Horsepasture River near Gorges State Park in Transylvania County. The fall has a large plunge pool and is a good swimming hole in the summer months.

• Whitewater Falls
  Whitewater Falls is perhaps the most famous waterfall in the area. Located on the NC/SC border, this fall is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. It is also a waterfall that is easy to view. About 15 minutes from Cashiers, there is an observation deck and a paved pathway that leads to the falls.

Cashiers Golf Courses