Hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with the kangaroos where the mountains meet the lakes!
Located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, just 50 minutes north of Atlanta, Dawson County sits at the junction of Georgia 400 (the Hospitality Highway) and Highway 53, a community at the crossroads of small-town values and progressive sensibility. It is surrounded by the scenic splendor of Lake Lanier, Dawson Forest and Amicalola Falls, as well as the Etowah and Amicalola Rivers, and handily situated at the trailhead of the Appalachian Trail.
Founded in the mid-1800s, it remains steeped in Appalachian culture and tradition and is blessed with natural beauty, a rugged yet refined charmer with both down-home dining and upscale shopping. While mindful of its old-fashioned mountain manners, Dawson County remains attuned to the essentials of modern infrastructure and services.
Here is a place that revels in its heritage, including a rich history of gold mining, moonshine running, backwoods racing and motorsports glory; safeguards its historic town square which comprises courthouse, jail and other original period architecture that stand as a reminder of a bygone era; and vibrates with the energy of a thriving, contemporary community. High country trails and crystalline trout streams are within minutes of Dawson County’s yesteryear square, yet the community enjoys easy access to metro Atlanta.
It is home of the highest falls east of the Mississippi at Amicalola Falls and the largest kangaroo conservation habitat outside Australia at the Kangaroo Conservation Center, the brand name shops of the North Georgia Premium Outlets and the folk art galleries of Around Back at Rocky’s Place. Scenic waterfalls, horseback riding and mountain biking, hiking and hunting for bargains, championship golf and canoe- and kayak-worthy rivers, pumpkins farms and a wildlife preserve provide plenty of adventure—not to mention picture postcard-worthy scenery.
Dawson County’s lodging landscape includes full-service resorts like Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Spa and the green-friendly Len Foote Hike Inn, as well as limited-service, brand name chain hotels. Restaurants include local delectables, The Blue Bicycle (winner of a 2008 Silver Spoon Award) and the Dawsonville Pool Room, home of the legendary Bully Burger, as well as fast food favorites and trendy chains.
Leisure, lifestyle, business—all can be enjoyed to the fullest in Dawsonville-Dawson County. Call us at 706-265-6278 or stop by the Chamber of Commerce, located in the historic red brick jail building just off the town square between the hours of 8:00 am till 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday.
