White County: Nature, River & History

The Chattahoochee River flows through Helen. Helen’s townscape evokes the character of an Alpine-style Bavarian village. In White County, outdoor experiences and historic sites add further reasons to stay. When planning your hotel stay, you can first consider whether you’d rather spend your time outdoors, exploring local history, or enjoying experiences in Helen. The different destinations offer specific ideas to help you decide.

Nature Trails, Birdwatching and Trout Fishing

Smithgall Woods State Park has five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads for hikers and cyclists. A shorter option is an easy half-mile loop that passes a beaver pond and a wetland. A boardwalk and a large viewing platform provide spots for birdwatching by the pond. You can experience the park with a longer outing on its trails and roads, or with a short walk and a stop to observe wildlife.

Catch-and-release trout fishing is available at Dukes Creek. Seasonal rules and reservation requirements apply, so keep them in mind when planning. Hiking, cycling, birdwatching and fishing offer different ways to enjoy the park; the loop by the wetland combines a short walk with a specific place to observe wildlife.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge has eight miles of hiking trails. At 53-acre Smith Lake, recreational options include a swimming beach and fishing piers. So, in addition to the trails, activities on the lake are a highlight here. Information about trails and facilities may change, so check the latest details before your visit.

Helen and Experiences on the Chattahoochee River

During the warm season, typically from May to September, visitors can float down the Chattahoochee River in Helen with outfitters such as Helen Tubing & Waterpark and Cool River Tubing. The outfitters provide drop-off and pick-up services. Tubing is a seasonal highlight, distinct from the nature trails suited to hiking and cycling. If you’re planning a trip, keep the warm season in mind and check the specific dates.

Outside Helen, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, stands Nora Mill Granary, a fully operational gristmill built in 1876. Tubing takes place in Helen, while the mill is outside town. Another experience in Helen is the Georgia Mountain Coaster, where the ride winds down the mountain and through the forest.

History and Culture in Sautee Nacoochee

The Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound at Hardman Farm is a landmark topped by a gazebo and has special connections to the history of Indigenous peoples in America. The historic Unicoi Turnpike runs alongside Hardman Farm State Historic Site. Guided house tours at Hardman Farm also include the 19th-century parlor. The landmark, historic road and house tour offer different ways to explore the area’s history.

The Sautee Nacoochee History Museum shares the history and traditional stories of the Sautee and Nacoochee valleys. Those interested in attractions and historic sites can also take the “Explore Helen & Sautee Nacoochee” tour, available as a free app and a brochure-based tour.

Vineyards and Unique Experiences

Yonah Mountain Vineyards offers a cave tour with a tasting in Georgia’s only known wine cave. Plan the tour in advance. The tasting room overlooks the vineyards, adding another place to explore wine alongside the cave experience.

Babyland General Hospital offers a very different visitor experience: visitors can watch the birth of a “Newborn” from the Cabbage Patch line. Together with the historic sites and outdoor offerings, this destination shows the many different ways to spend a stay in White County.

Discover more destinations: Helen, Sautee Nacoochee, Jeff Davis County, Mcintosh, Dawson County, Rabun County, Mcduffie County, Early.

For the main travel overview: Georgia.