Dawson County: Nature, Motorsport and Culture

Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area is located in Dawson County and covers 25,500 acres. The lower Etowah River runs through the area, offering boaters a more secluded experience. This brings together an expansive natural area and a distinctive river perspective.

Nature, Water and Trails

Amicalola Falls State Park is built around the cascades of Amicalola Falls. The waterfall is considered Georgia’s tallest cascading waterfall. The park offers the Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventure Tour, a zipline experience. Visitors who want to view the falls from an overlook will also find a well-marked, less strenuous, ADA-accessible trail to one of the best viewpoints.

Styles Park Nature Trails include five miles of unpaved trails. Motorized vehicles are not permitted, but e-bikes are allowed. This distinction is helpful when planning how to get around on the trails. War Hill Park has 14 basic campsites and four boat ramps. Ramp availability depends on the lake’s water level, so this may affect boating plans.

The outdoor pool at Veterans Memorial Park is open seasonally: the season begins on Memorial Day weekend and ends each year on Labor Day. If you plan to swim, you can schedule your visit around this period.

Fausett Farms Sunflowers has more than 13 acres of sunflower fields. Riders may bring their own horses and ride along many miles of trails. Burt’s Farm adds seasonal experiences with wagon rides during its fall pumpkin experience. These rides are offered as part of the farm’s seasonal activities.

Motorsport, History and Events

The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Museum showcases Dawsonville’s motorsport heritage through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations. On display is Gober Sosebee’s winning Ford from the Daytona 500. The museum highlights both the history of a specific race car and the broader motorsport tradition.

The Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show takes place annually on the fourth weekend in October at Main Street Park in downtown Dawsonville. It features hundreds of classic cars and more than 200 arts and crafts vendors. If you’re planning your trip around the festival, check the dates for that year.

The old Dawson County Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with the historic courthouse. The historic jail is also currently home to the Dawson County / Dawsonville Welcome Center. Another historic feature is Highway Georgia 400 to Atlanta, which was built in the 1980s.

Art and Regional Experiences

The Bowen Center for the Arts offers art exhibitions, museum-quality exhibits, art classes and workshops, educational luncheons, and concert performances. The Center presents new exhibitions every year. The Around Back at Rocky’s Place gallery features work by many self-taught artists from the southeastern United States and Georgia.

At its Dawsonville location, Grandaddy Mimm’s offers tastings of various moonshine varieties, including corn, apple pie, and blackberry flavors. If you plan to go for a tasting, check the current operating information in advance.

Plan a Hotel for Your Trip

When considering a specific accommodation, check its address in relation to the destinations that matter for your trip.

Explore more destinations: Dawsonville, Richmond, Floyd, Jackson County, Fulton, Mcintosh, Haralson County, White County.

For the broader travel overview: Georgia.