No matter the season, Lake Chatuge, Georgia’s Enchanted Valley, is truly nature’s playground. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, a utopia for fishing fanatics and paradise for people who find the mountains to be their happy place. This winter, your ideal vacation awaits with us, whether relaxing by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa, paddling through our sparkling waters, hiking through beautiful, wandering trails or enjoying your new favorite meal at one of our local restaurants. Our handy planning guide will help you make your visit to Lake Chatuge truly unforgettable.
Pick Your Perfect Lodging
The most important part of any vacation is selecting your home away from home, those comfy, cozy accommodations that tuck you away from the chill of winter day and welcome you back after a day of adventure. One of many fantastic places to rest your head in our scenic destination is Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa. Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa has everything you need to start and end your days on your Lake Chatuge getaway. The beautiful property is not only home to an abundance of cozy rooms with feather-soft beds, but also has a full-service spa, golf course, outdoor hiking trails and guided horseback rides at the on-site stable, as well as two dining options: Brassie’s Bar and Grill and the main dining room, which regularly serves stellar buffets. Brasstown’s crown jewel, its stunning lobby area complete with a roaring fireplace, is ready to welcome you and your family.
You can also get a true winter mountain experience by renting a cabin or cottage for your weekend getaway. Lake Chatuge is home to a wide selection of cabin and cottage rentals, perfect for everything from a romantic vacation to a full family adventure. Reconnect with nature and enjoy sweeping mountain and lakeside views from the front porch. Feel the calm of a crisp winter’s morning by curling up by the fire.
Select Your Outdoor Adventure
Our stunning stretch of mountains and glittering waterways is abundant with natural wonders. From sparkling Lake Chatuge to the breathtaking waterfalls at High Shoals and the beauty of the Appalachian Trail, there are so many places to explore the best that nature has to offer this winter. Find your favorite flavor of adventure and immerse yourself in our expansive backyard.
While it may not be warm enough to skim across on a jet ski or plunge into its blue waters, our lake is always ready for exploring. Fishing is a favorite pastime of our region no matter the season, with our waters swimming with prized bass fish. Pull up to a dock or rent a boat from one of the area’s boat rental partners so you can cruise around the lake and cast your line to snag that perfect catch. Rental facilities also offer kayaks and canoes, both great activities to enjoy the calm winter water of our town’s brightest shining gem.
In addition to winter lake activities, the cooler months are also a perfect time to explore the many waterfalls and hiking trails that criss-cross throughout our wilderness. One of the most popular trails leads to High Shoals Falls, a great trek for a novice hiker. Home to both Blue Hole and High Shoals Falls, this two-and-a-half-mile round trip journey takes you deep into the Chattahoochee National Forest, enveloping you in scenic wonder. Our area is home to one of the most famous hiking trails in the world: the Appalachian Trail, a bucket list hike for many outdoor fanatics that stretches from our backyard up to Maine. Unicoi Gap, Dicks Creek Gap and Jack’s Knob Trail, all connected to the Appalachian Trail, range in difficulty, but offer a chance to walk in the steps of history and earn bragging rights for venturing down even a small part of this 2,184-mile journey. Shake off your winter blues and explore our stunning landscape on foot, winding around our towering mountains, past waterfalls or exploring the trails that wrap around the lake itself.
Sip, Dine and Enjoy
The best way to end any day is with a delicious meal, tasty beer or fantastic, locally-made wine. Here at Lake Chatuge, we can check all three off your list! In addition to the delicious buffets served at Brasstown’s main dining room and the casual, yet delectable fare served at Brassie’s Bar and Grill, also at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, Lake Chatuge is home to many locally-owned restaurants, a brewery and two wineries. One other particularly delicious spot for a meal is Enrico’s, a cozy Italian restaurant nestled in Young Harris. A local staple for more than 25-years, this family-owned restaurant has a variety of delicious pasta, pizzas, steak and, of course, mouthwatering desserts like cheesecake and tiramisu.
Overlooking Lake Chatuge, Hiawassee Brew, our prized brewery, has seven local beers on tap, a variety of regional brews and serves wine from regional wineries. It also serves up a variety of tasty Mexican-style dishes, making it a one-stop-shop for a cold beer and a warm meal.
Crane Creek Vineyards, one of our local wineries, just completed a beautiful expansion of its valley-view property, expanding its tasting room and increasing its outdoor seating. In addition to daily tasting opportunities, Crane Creek also hosts Friday Stone House Soup and Acoustics in the winter months. This weekly event features delicious warm food, plenty of wine and live local music. Hightower Creek Vineyards, located in Hiawassee, is a family-owned vineyard that places importance on friends, food and a sense of family above all else. The wine created at Hightower represents the hard work that built the vineyard, with a variety of blends available that are sure to please any palate.
Lake Chatuge is the ideal place to disconnect with the bustling world of everyday life and slow down to reconnect. Whether taking advantage of activities on our wonderful waterways, nestling up by the fire at one of our comfy accommodations like Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, adventuring to the nearest waterfall or letting one of our dining spots take care of dinner, there’s plenty to enjoy. Make your next family memories with us. We can’t wait to welcome you.