A favorite of Lodge guests is a visit to Mercier Orchards on Highway 5 North of Blue Ridge. Enjoy the best apples and fried apple pie in the state at this renowned orchard. This family-owned and operated orchard has been doing business for more than 60 years in the North Georgia Mountains. For more information about Mercier Orchards, visit them online at www.mercier-orchards.com
Historic Blue Ridge and McCaysville are popular destinations to shop for Appalachian arts and crafts, pottery, quilts, antiques, mountain home furnishings, apples, and smoked trout. While you're shopping, stop in to a local eatery and enjoy the great southern, country cooking.
kayaking on the ocoee river The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests have 37 developed recreation areas, 500 developed campsites, 200 picnic sites, 6 swim beaches and 530 miles of trails. There are more than 500 wildlife and fish species in the forest.
Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre lake that boasts over 90 national forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full-service marina and public swimming and picnic areas. 80 percent of the shoreline on Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
the 265 foot swinging bridge A popular destination for day-hikers (along the Benton MacKaye Trail), is the swinging bridge over the Toccoa River. This 265 foot long bridge is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River.
From March to October the Ocoee River (the Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee at the Tennessee state line) comes alive with whitewater enthusiasts from around the world who journey to shoot the world-class rapids in rafts, canoes, and kayaks.
For more information about destinations and activities, visit the outstanding website of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce: Blue Ridge Mountains
