cream and a deli. It’s basically a one-stop-shop for families to come and make family memories.” From this popular stop, Hatcher said leaf watchers can travel on to several “really great wineries,” or to Talulah Gorge for some hiking and mountain biking. Talulah offers a nature center and several hiking tails of varying difficulty. During the first three weekends of November, Talulah attracts expert-level whitewater kayakers from all over the country, viewable via a rim trail. “It would be very easy to tour [a winery] or see the beautiful colors at Talulah and then go on to Black Rock,” Hatcher said. Black Rock offers mountain-top cabins and hiking trails. It is also the state’s highest park in elevation, so expect leaves to peak earlier here. Stefanie Paupeck, communications specialist for the state Department of Economic Development, advises leaf-goers to be mindful of weekends in October, which tend to draw the heaviest traffic, especially during Oktoberfest in Helen. Unicoi State Park, not far from Helen, is often also busy this time of year. Hatcher suggests continuing on to the lesser known Smithgall Woods State Park for a less crowded experience. “There is a waterfall in the area called Dukes Creek Falls, which is very popular,” she said. “If you stay at Smithgall in a cabin, there’s a little trail that goes from the cabins the falls, so you have a little private access.” If off the beaten trail is your style, a trip to North Georgia Canopy Tours in Lula, may be the answer. Tour guide Marc Nicklien describes the experience as a “unique way to get outside and have an exciting adventure and be able to see beautiful scenery as well.” “Every time I ask, ‘What did you guys think?’ I cannot tell you the number of ‘awesomes’ or ‘amazings’ or just people that are blown away,” Nicklien said. This tree-based zip-lining tour offers a unique vantage point for visitors ages 10 and older as well as an 18-hole disc golf course, five-stage geocache, gift shop and camping in the form of tent sites or tipi rentals. Teepee camping, often called “glamping,” short for “glamorous camping,” consists of a stay in fully furnished teepees with all the comforts of home, including air conditioning and heat. “Because we are a tree-based tour,” Nicklien said, “it really is cool in October, last or second-to-last weekend, the
leaves are just absolutely incredible up here.” Paupeck notes that people will travel far and wide to see the change of season here in Georgia. “There’s just something about being in the mountains in the fall,” she said. “The air is crisp, the colors, people are up there for corn mazes and pumpkin patches, and apple picking … I think that people will drive from all over the place.” -- Autumn Vetter
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Tallulah Falls State Park / Photo courtesy Georgia State Parks
Moments Magazine | September-October 2012
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