
Historic High Country, United States
Photo: United States Census Bureau employee, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Central High Country is a sub-region of Georgia's Historic High Country region. The Central High Country consists of 7 counties north of Atlanta. The southern most counties are quickly growing as the metro Atlanta area expands while the northern counties are well suited for outdoor activities and tourism. Several of the towns hold a variety of annual festivals. Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona also provide amply opportunity for water sports and recreation. The largest city in this region is Gainesville while Ellijay and Dahlonega offer many opportunities for tourists.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
These cascading falls are the highest falls (729') east of the Mississippi River. The surrounding park offers lots of hiking trails, including one leading to the top of the waterfall. Another trail connects this park to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus for the Appalachian Trail.
Watch the Atlanta Falcons practice in Flowery Branch. Only a limited number of practices are opened to the public each preseason. Check the Atlanta Falcons website to see times and dates.
An old theater in the downtown area of Canton, built in 1911.
A museum commemorates the Dahlonega Gold Rush, the first gold rush in the United States.
A 10,130-acre (41.0-km²) public-use forest located in Dawson County, Georgia, southwest of Dawsonville. The site was home to the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory (GNAL) during the 1960s.
A United States National Cemetery near Canton.
A 229-acre garden in northern Cherokee County.
An 8.4-mile trail that goes from Amicalola Falls State Park to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain.
A waterfall on the Benton MacKaye trail in Gilmer County.
A park with hiking trails and views of Pickens County on top of Mount Oglethorpe, the original southern terminus to the Appalachian Trail.
Hike up to the Indian Seats to get a view of the North Georgia Mountains
Hike on a steep, one-mile trail that goes to the top of Sharp Top Mountain near Jasper. The trail is located inside Sharptop Cove, a private Young Life camp. Please call Sharptop Cove’s offices for permission to hike the mountain.
Start the journey on the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain
In addition to housing an abandoned nuclear laboratory, Dawson Forest is also open to hunting and horseback riding.
Even though it's mainly used for hunting, visitors are allowed to explore the area by foot.
Reservoir near Ellijay. Activities allowed include camping, fishing, picnicking, boating, mountain biking and hunting.
Large reservoir near Gainesville. Activities include fishing, boating and picnicking. There is also a water park named LanierWorld, located on Lake Lanier islands.
Vineyard near Jasper that offers a view of Sharp Mountain.
Vineyard near Dahlonega that offers a view of Three Sisters mountain.
Outlet mall near Dawsonville.
The major freeways that enter Central High Country are I-575, I-985 and Georgia 400.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Atlanta · Regional · PDK
Loading places around the airport…
Dahlonega is in Georgia's Historic High Country. It was the site of a major gold rush, claimed the first in the US by local citizens.
Dawsonville is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country.
Ellijay is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country. It is considered the Apple Capital of Georgia.
Gainesville is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country. The city of Gainesville is one of the larger cities in the Historic High Country along with Rome (Georgia) both with populations around 30,000.
Articles and travel topics about Central High Country and United States.
Find the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Find the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
9 min read
Discover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
A practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.