The very best time of the year to hike our stunning North Georgia mountain wilderness is when summer slowly fades into autumn. Mountain Oasis has elite Georgia mountain rentals minutes away from some of the state’s best hiking trails or walk out the front door and explore our fantastic countryside. Visit these three North Georgia hiking staples on your next voyage to our mountain paradise!

Fort Mountain State Park
Nature enthusiasts can embark on a breathtaking 30-minute mountain drive from Ellijay through the foothills of the Appalachians to Fort Mountain State Park. This stunning state park has 25 miles of hiking trails, a misty 17-acre lake, and the best mountain overlooks in North Georgia. Take the family on a 1.2-mile lake trail hike or the park’s crowning jewel: the 1.5-mile summit trail. On the Summit Trail, you’ll discover a mysterious stone wall, 1930s fire lookout tower, and remarkably majestic Cohutta Wilderness views. If you’re planning on visiting during Autumn, you cannot skip the Summit Trail at Fort Mountain State Park. We have dozens of Ellijay mountain, lake, and riverside vacation homes east of Fort Mountain.

Amicalola Falls State Park
You’ll find Georgia’s tallest waterfall at Amicalola Falls State Park, 20 miles southeast of Ellijay. This scenic 25-minute mountain drive is well worth the trip. The park is nestled in the misty, mossy Chattahoochee National Forest. Start with the 2.1-mile falls trail to witness a dramatic 730-foot waterfall. This trail is usually quite busy, so if you’re backpacking and don’t like crowds, try the 15-mile Springer Mountain trek via the Appalachian Trail. Springer Mountain is a breathtaking yet arduous journey through the thick wilderness, but the Blue Ridge Mountain views are among the best in North Georgia. Our cozy Ellijay, Georgia mountain rentals are a short drive from Amicalola Falls State Park.

Fall Branch Falls – Benton MacKaye Trail
Six miles east of Cherry Log, hikers will find the well-marked Benton MacKaye Trail leading to scenic Fall Branch Falls. The trail to Fall Branch is only a half mile round-trip, so it’s a perfect way to start or finish a day of North Georgia hiking. The trek takes you through a mossy forest with smaller cascades along the way. Hikers and families alike can stand underneath the falls for a hot summer bath. Witness some of the best Appalachian views in these woods from the deck at our Apple Creek cabin property, one of the premier Georgia mountain rentals. If you’re looking for a romantic escape, Apple Creek has an outdoor hot tub overlooking the majestic North Georgia mountainside. Backpackers can pick up the Benton MacKaye Trail near Apple Creek and embark on a seven-mile hike through the wilderness to Fall Branch Falls.