Discover Stephens County

Toccoa Falls is a 186-foot waterfall on the wooded campus of Toccoa Falls College. Together with Currahee Mountain, historic sites and cultural events, it offers a range of reasons to plan a stay in Stephens County. The focus of your trip may also influence your choice of hotel base.

Waterfall, Mountain and Water Activities

Access to Toccoa Falls is through the Gate Cottage Gift Shop. Visitor arrangements may change, so check the latest information before your trip. Currahee Mountain offers a different kind of scenery: it is the highest peak in Stephens County, and part of the mountain lies within Chattahoochee National Forest. The waterfall and mountain are distinct natural attractions, but this does not imply a particular route or walking time.

For water activities, Tugaloo Bend offers day rentals of canoes and kayaks for outings on the Tugaloo River, Lake Hartwell or Yonah Lake. Renting a boat is one specific way to plan an outing on one of these waterways. Availability and conditions may change; reserve in advance or check before your trip.

Tugaloo Bend Park covers 87 acres. In the 18th century, the Native American town of “Estatoe” stood on the site; later, an operating farm was located there, in use during the 19th and 20th centuries. This sequence gives the site a historical connection as well as its present-day size. Water activities and local history therefore appeal to different interests.

Historic Sites and Visit Planning

Traveler’s Rest was built around 1815 by James R. Wyly. The building was an inn along a stagecoach route and also a plantation house. In 1964, Traveler’s Rest was designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour the house and see original artifacts and furnishings. Tour availability may vary, so check the current visiting arrangements before you travel.

Camp Toccoa also combines the history of its construction with its use during World War II: it was built in the 1930s under the Works Projects Administration (WPA) and served the National Guard. During the war, around 17,000 soldiers trained there. Camp Toccoa at Currahee is open to visitors Fridays from 12 to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m.; group tours are available by request. Check the hours before visiting and request group tours well in advance.

The Currahee Military Museum is located at the site of the old railroad depot in Toccoa. Its collection includes photographs, documents and memorabilia from World War II. The museum also includes a stable where PID members were housed before and after D-Day. The railroad setting and collection give the visit a different focus from the camp’s military history.

Music, Theater and Seasonal Events

The Toccoa Symphony gives annual concerts at various venues throughout Stephens County. The City of Toccoa hosts the Currahee Arts Festival each spring, while the Ida Cox Music Series brings a variety of music to Toccoa on summer Saturday evenings. If music or a festival will determine your travel dates, check event dates before making plans.

The Ritz Theatre at the Schaefer Center hosts theater, music and film events. The Ritz Theatre is designated a National Register Historic Landmark. The Toccoa Stephens Community Theater also presents live theater for Stephens County and the surrounding counties. The Festival of Trees takes place in December and supports local nonprofit organizations. These events vary in both their themes and their seasonal timing.

Choosing a Hotel Base for Your Trip

Take visiting conditions and seasonal dates into account when planning. This can help you look for a hotel in Stephens County that suits your reason for traveling, rather than basing your choice solely on one event or attraction. For train travelers, the Amtrak Crescent stops daily at Toccoa’s restored train station; schedules may change, so check current service before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Toccoa, Charlton County, Liberty County, Richmond, Elbert County, Henry, Fannin County, Lumpkin County

For the broader travel overview: Georgia.