Decision tool · outdoor day matcher
Which waterfall, view or lake fits your day?
Clayton sits in the middle of Rabun County's waterfalls, overlooks, lakes and Tallulah Gorge. Tell us how much time you have, how far you want to walk and at what pace, and whether a dog or an accessible path is coming, and we will rank the places that fit, with the drive, the fee and the rules.
Every place in the matcher
| Place | What | Drive from downtown | Trail, round trip | Agency rating | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Becky Branch Falls source | Waterfalls | about 6 min | — | — | No fee at Warwoman Dell; no fee for Bartram Trail parking areas in Georgia. |
| Warwoman Dell Recreation Area source | Waterfalls | about 7 min | — | — | No fee at this time. |
| Timpson Cove Beach (Lake Burton) source | Lakes and beaches | about 13 min | — | — | — |
| Chattooga Wild & Scenic River at US 76 (Chattooga River Trail) source | Rivers | about 13 min | — | — | Free |
| Jones Bridge Park (Lake Burton) source | Lakes and beaches | about 14 min | — | — | — |
| Stonewall Falls (Stonewall Falls & White Twister trail) source | Waterfalls | about 14 min | — | — | Free |
| Tennessee Rock Trail (Black Rock Mountain) source | Longer hikes | about 15 min | 2.2 mi Agency: '2.2 mile loop. Rated moderate to difficult.' (Its description also calls it 'easy to moderate'; the heading rating is used.) | moderate to difficult | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail (Black Rock Mountain) source | Longer hikes | about 15 min | 7.2 mi Agency: '7.2 mile loop. Rated difficult to strenuous.' (Its description says 'moderate to strenuous'; the heading rating is used.) | difficult to strenuous | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Black Rock Mountain summit overlooks and visitor center source | Mountain views | about 16 min | — | — | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Black Rock Lake Trail source | Lakes and beaches | about 17 min | 0.9 mi Agency: '0.85 mile loop. Rated easy.' | easy | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Tallulah Gorge North and South Rim Trails source | The gorge | about 20 min | 3 mi Agency: '3 miles, round-trip … Rated moderate.' | moderate | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Hurricane Falls Loop and suspension bridge (Tallulah Gorge) source | The gorge | about 20 min | 2 mi Agency: 'Approximately 2 miles, round-trip … Rated difficult.' | difficult | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Tallulah Gorge floor (permit hike) source | The gorge | about 20 min | 2.5 mi Agency trails page: '2.5 miles, round-trip … Rated very difficult.' | very difficult | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. Gorge floor permit is free. |
| Tallulah Point Park (Georgia Power) source | The gorge | about 21 min | — | — | — |
| Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton) source | Lakes and beaches | about 23 min | — | — | $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. |
| Panther Creek Falls (Panther Creek Trail) source | Waterfalls | about 25 min | 7 mi Agency: '3.5-mile (one-way) Panther Creek Trail'; 7.0 is the round trip of that published one-way figure. | — | Standard amenity fee $4 per vehicle per day (America the Beautiful passes give 50% off); pay with the Recreation.gov app's Scan & Pay. |
| Hemlock Falls source | Waterfalls | about 25 min | — | — | Free |
| Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area source | Lakes and beaches | about 28 min | — | — | Day use parking $5 per person ages 16+; buses and vans $5 per vehicle plus $2 per person; boat and trailer launch $5. Interagency Senior and Access passes accepted. |
| Angel Falls Trail (Rabun Beach) source | Waterfalls | about 28 min | — | mostly easy with a couple of short, steep runs | Free at the year-round Lake Rabun Road trailhead; $5 per vehicle if parking in the campground or using campground facilities. |
| Minnehaha Falls source | Waterfalls | about 35 min | — | — | — |
| Holcomb Creek Falls and Ammons Creek Falls source | Waterfalls | about 80 min | — | — | — |
Trail lengths, ratings and fees as the managing agency publishes them, checked October 18, 2026. Drive times are computed routes from downtown Clayton on OpenStreetMap data (OSRM), one way. A dash means the agency does not publish it.
Trail lengths, agency ratings, fees, hours and pet rules come from Georgia State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service or Georgia Power. Drive times are computed one-way routes from downtown on OpenStreetMap data, not live traffic. Time on the trail is the published round-trip length at the pace you choose. Parks close trails for weather and repairs, so check the agency page on the day.
Weekends up here turning into a plan? See what is for sale near the trails and lakes.
Waterfalls
Becky Branch Falls
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 6 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Small cascade a short walk up the Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell. The Forest Service lists it among the Warwoman Dell trails but publishes no length; Explore Rabun calls it a 20-foot cascade about 0.25 mile from the Dell.
Fee: No fee at Warwoman Dell; no fee for Bartram Trail parking areas in Georgia.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Warwoman Dell Recreation Area; Explore Rabun: Becky Branch Falls (lead), checked 2026-10-18
Warwoman Dell Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 7 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Wooded valley with a small waterfall, two CCC-built picnic shelters and stone trout runs from the late 1930s; the Bartram Trail and the Becky Branch Falls trail start nearby.
Fee: No fee at this time.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset day use area.
Dogs: The Forest Service calls the 1.1-mile trail system 'good for kids and dogs'.
Good to know: The site closed May 6-8, 2026 for a new restroom. No potable water.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Warwoman Dell Recreation Area, checked 2026-10-18
Stonewall Falls (Stonewall Falls & White Twister trail)
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 14 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Waterfall on Stonewall Creek at a dispersed site on a gravel Forest Service road; the 7.8-mile White Twister mountain-bike loop passes it.
Fee: Free
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Good to know: No e-bikes on this trail. Waterfall danger alert posted.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain Bike Trail, checked 2026-10-18
Panther Creek Falls (Panther Creek Trail)
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 25 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 7 mi round trip Agency: '3.5-mile (one-way) Panther Creek Trail'; 7.0 is the round trip of that published one-way figure.
Forest Service trail along Panther Creek to a large waterfall in Habersham County, about 20 km south of Clayton.
Fee: Standard amenity fee $4 per vehicle per day (America the Beautiful passes give 50% off); pay with the Recreation.gov app's Scan & Pay.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset for the picnic area and shelters.
Good to know: The picnic area, parking area and bathrooms are closed after Hurricane Helene damage; the trail is open to intermediate and advanced hikers only, and the district has issued a hiker warning for washed-out tread. Waterfall danger alert.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Panther Creek Recreation Area, checked 2026-10-18
Hemlock Falls
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 25 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Forest Service trailhead for a creekside hike to Hemlock Falls on Moccasin Creek.
Fee: Free
Hours: Sunrise to sunset.
Good to know: Waterfall danger alert posted.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Hemlock Falls Hiking Trailhead, checked 2026-10-18
Angel Falls Trail (Rabun Beach)
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 28 min by car from downtown (computed route) · Rated mostly easy with a couple of short, steep runs by the agency
Trail ending at an observation deck facing Angel Falls.
Fee: Free at the year-round Lake Rabun Road trailhead; $5 per vehicle if parking in the campground or using campground facilities.
Good to know: The Forest Service page shows both 'Site Open' and an Operational Hours line reading 'TEMPORARILY CLOSED' (last updated Feb. 18, 2025); check before going. The campground trailhead (Loop 2) is unavailable in winter.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Angel Falls Trailhead, checked 2026-10-18
Minnehaha Falls
About 35 min by car from downtown (computed route)
A cascade on Fall Branch at the end of a short trail off Bear Gap Road, listed by Explore Rabun, the county tourism office. No land-manager page publishes its length or rating, so ask locally before you go.
Source: Explore Rabun: Minnehaha Falls (county tourism listing; not the land manager), checked 2026-10-18
Holcomb Creek Falls and Ammons Creek Falls
About 80 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Two waterfalls on one trail in the national forest northeast of Clayton, reached by gravel Forest Service roads and listed by Explore Rabun. No land-manager page publishes the trail length, rating or fees.
Source: Explore Rabun: Holcomb Creek Falls & Ammons Falls (county tourism listing; not the land manager), checked 2026-10-18
Mountain views
Black Rock Mountain summit overlooks and visitor center
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 16 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia's highest state park (3,640 ft) on the Eastern Continental Divide; roadside overlooks give 80-mile views and the summit visitor center has a gift shop and picnic tables.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Good to know: The park reports the Ada-Hi Falls Trail closed for stair repair (Oct. 2026).
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain State Park, checked 2026-10-18
The gorge, lakes and river
Timpson Cove Beach (Lake Burton)
Georgia Power (North Georgia Lakes)
About 13 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia Power property on Lake Burton; Georgia Power's recreation table lists picnicking, swimming and restrooms. Fees and hours are not published there.
Source: Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes recreation table, checked 2026-10-18
Chattooga Wild & Scenic River at US 76 (Chattooga River Trail)
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 13 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Start of the 11-mile Chattooga River Trail spur at the US 76 bridge, inside the Wild & Scenic River corridor; it connects to the Bartram Trail.
Fee: Free
Good to know: The Forest Service warns of many downed trees and Hurricane Helene damage along the trail. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of the river; backcountry camping must be at least 1/4 mile from Earl's Ford and Sandy Ford roads.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Chattooga River Trail, checked 2026-10-18
Jones Bridge Park (Lake Burton)
Georgia Power (North Georgia Lakes)
About 14 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia Power picnic park at the north end of Lake Burton beside US 76; Georgia Power's table lists picnicking only.
Source: Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes recreation table, checked 2026-10-18
Tennessee Rock Trail (Black Rock Mountain)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 15 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2.2 mi round trip Agency: '2.2 mile loop. Rated moderate to difficult.' (Its description also calls it 'easy to moderate'; the heading rating is used.) · Rated moderate to difficult by the agency
The park's most popular trail, a yellow-blazed loop through high forest with views that on clear days reach into North and South Carolina and Tennessee.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain trails, checked 2026-10-18
James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail (Black Rock Mountain)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 15 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 7.2 mi round trip Agency: '7.2 mile loop. Rated difficult to strenuous.' (Its description says 'moderate to strenuous'; the heading rating is used.) · Rated difficult to strenuous by the agency
Steep backcountry loop past cascading streams to the summit of Lookoff Mountain and a view of Wolffork Valley; used for day hikes and backcountry camping.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Good to know: Backcountry campsites on this trail have bear boxes.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain trails, checked 2026-10-18
Black Rock Lake Trail
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 17 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 0.9 mi round trip Agency: '0.85 mile loop. Rated easy.' · Rated easy by the agency
Gently rolling loop around the 17-acre lake, with wooden bridges over Taylor and Greasy creeks and an 80-foot bridge over Cricket Cove.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain trails, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Gorge North and South Rim Trails
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 3 mi round trip Agency: '3 miles, round-trip … Rated moderate.' · Rated moderate by the agency
Mulched rim trails with exposed roots linking ten overlooks into the 2-mile-long, nearly 1,000-foot-deep gorge; about 2 hours round trip.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets are welcome on the rim trails.
Access: From the Interpretive Center a recycled-rubber path reaches Overlooks 2 and 3.
Good to know: Weather, water flow and scheduled water releases can restrict access; call ahead.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge trails, checked 2026-10-18
Hurricane Falls Loop and suspension bridge (Tallulah Gorge)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2 mi round trip Agency: 'Approximately 2 miles, round-trip … Rated difficult.' · Rated difficult by the agency
Metal-stair loop (1,099 stairs including the staircase to the gorge floor) down to a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet above the river.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark
Dogs: No pets on the Hurricane Falls staircase to the suspension bridge.
Good to know: Weather, water flow and scheduled water releases can restrict access. The park says not to attempt this trail with any known health condition.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge trails, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Gorge floor (permit hike)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2.5 mi round trip Agency trails page: '2.5 miles, round-trip … Rated very difficult.' · Rated very difficult by the agency
Boulder route to the gorge floor and Sliding Rock with no soil underfoot; it includes about 1,000 stairs.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. Gorge floor permit is free.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark
Dogs: Dogs are prohibited on the gorge floor and Sliding Rock trail.
Good to know: Free permits, limited to 100 per day, are issued at the Interpretive Center the same day after a safety briefing (park page: briefings at 8 AM, 10 AM and 12 PM; trails page: no permits after 4 p.m., 3 p.m. during daylight saving time). Not recommended for ages 8 and under. No gorge floor access during water releases; 2026 aesthetic releases Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and whitewater boating weekends Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park and trails page, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Point Park (Georgia Power)
Georgia Power (North Georgia Lakes)
About 21 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia Power property on the Tallulah Gorge rim; Georgia Power's recreation table lists picnicking and restrooms.
Source: Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes recreation table, checked 2026-10-18
Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Moccasin Creek State Park)
About 23 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Lakeside state park on 2,775-acre Lake Burton with a campground, boat ramp and fishing pier; the park lists a 1-mile Wildlife Loop Trail and the Hemlock Falls Trail.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Access: The park lists an ADA-accessible fishing pier and says its relatively flat grounds suit wheelchairs.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Moccasin Creek State Park, checked 2026-10-18
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests (Chattooga River Ranger District)
About 28 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Forest Service swim beach, boat launch and picnic area on Lake Rabun.
Fee: Day use parking $5 per person ages 16+; buses and vans $5 per vehicle plus $2 per person; boat and trailer launch $5. Interagency Senior and Access passes accepted.
Hours: Boat launch and beach areas open sunrise to sundown.
Good to know: Boat area open year-round; the 80-site campground across the road closed Oct. 28, 2025 and reopened April 1, 2026 (the page has not posted the 2026 closing date). No overnight parking.
Source: USDA Forest Service: Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area, checked 2026-10-18
Fees and passes
- Parking at Georgia State Parks costs $10 per vehicle per day, and an annual ParkPass costs $70. A daily pass works at more than one state park on the same day. Seniors 62 and older get 50% off the annual pass and active military and veterans 25%, but discounted passes must be bought in person. Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
- The federal government owns about 148,000 acres, nearly 60 percent of Rabun County's land, according to the Rabun County Historical Society (2019). The Forest Service manages the Ellicott Rock Wilderness and the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Rabun County Historical Society: Rabun County, The First 200 Years
- The Forest Service says the name Warwoman comes from Nancy Ward, a Cherokee woman who fought in the 1755 Battle of Taliwa. The Bartram National Recreation Trail passes through the area, and Becky Branch Falls and Martin Creek Falls are nearby. USDA Forest Service: Warwoman Dell Recreation Area
Questions
How far is Black Rock Mountain from downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is about two miles in a straight line north-northwest of downtown Clayton, measured from Main and Savannah Streets to the park's published GPS point. The road climbs steeply, so the drive takes longer. The address is 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, and the park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain (GPS, address, hours); distance computed by the editors
Is Black Rock Mountain the highest state park in Georgia?
Yes. At 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia's highest state park, though Brasstown Bald is the state's highest peak. The park sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and has overlooks with 80-mile views, 11 miles of trails, a 17-acre lake, cottages and campsites. It is often cooler than other parks and may close in icy weather.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain; Leaf Watch 2026
How much does it cost to visit Black Rock Mountain or Tallulah Gorge?
Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day at Georgia State Parks, including Black Rock Mountain and Tallulah Gorge. One daily pass covers more than one state park on the same day. An annual ParkPass costs $70, with 50% off for seniors 62 and older and 25% off for military and veterans if bought in person.
Source: Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Do I need a permit to hike the Tallulah Gorge floor?
Yes. A free gorge-floor permit is required, and only 100 are issued each day. You get one at the Interpretive Center on the day of your hike after a safety briefing at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. or noon; you cannot reserve ahead. Permits often run out early on busy days. None are issued on water-release dates.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park (Gorge Floor Permits)
How hard is the Tallulah Gorge floor hike?
It is very strenuous. The park describes a route with about 1,000 stairs and says it is not recommended for children aged 8 or younger. Wear proper footwear, because flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed, and wet rocks are deceptively slippery. Pets are not allowed on the gorge floor. Rim trails and overlooks need no permit.
How far is Tallulah Gorge from Clayton?
Tallulah Gorge State Park is about 9.6 miles in a straight line south of downtown Clayton, in the town of Tallulah Falls; the drive is longer. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, with 20 miles of park trails. The park is open 8 a.m. to dark at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge (GPS, facts, hours); distance computed by the editors
When are the Tallulah Gorge water releases in 2026?
The remaining 2026 aesthetic releases (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are Oct. 21, 23 and 31 and Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Whitewater boating weekends (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are Nov. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. The gorge floor is closed to hikers on every release date, but the rim overlooks stay open.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge, 2026 Water Release Dates
When is peak fall color near Clayton?
For 2026, the forecast puts peak color in the North Georgia mountains from the last week of October through the first week of November. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that forecast on Oct. 15, 2026, citing the Georgia Forestry Commission. Georgia State Parks says Black Rock Mountain, at 3,640 feet, is usually one of the first places to show vibrant color.
Where can I see fall leaves near downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is the closest leaf-watching spot, about two miles from downtown as the crow flies. Georgia State Parks recommends its overlooks, summit visitor center and the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail. Tallulah Gorge's rim trails are also on the state's list of top fall parks. Visit on a weekday, because parking can fill.
What is Foxfire, and where is the museum?
Foxfire is a magazine started in 1966 by a teacher and students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, which became a bestselling book series. Royalties bought land on Black Rock Mountain in 1974. The Foxfire Village Museum there has more than 20 historic log buildings. It is open Monday to Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 12-4, and adult admission is $20.
What is Warwoman Dell?
Warwoman Dell is a Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest recreation area 3 miles east of Clayton on Warwoman Road. It has a 1.1-mile trail system with a small waterfall, two picnic shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and old CCC stone trout runs. It is open sunrise to sunset, and there is no drinking water.
Which lakes are near Clayton, Georgia?
Three Georgia Power lakes sit in Rabun County near Clayton: Lake Burton, Lake Seed and Lake Rabun. Georgia DNR places Burton between Clayton and Hiawassee; it covers about 2,775 acres and was full by 1920. Seed covers 240 acres behind Nacoochee Dam, built in 1926. Rabun covers 834 acres behind Mathis Dam, built in 1915. All three are part of Georgia Power's North Georgia hydro system.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: Electricity for Atlanta; Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes
Is there really a town under Lake Burton?
Yes. Georgia Railway and Power began buying the town of Burton and the land around it in 1917. The 128-foot Burton Dam was finished in December 1919, and by August 1920 the reservoir had filled over the old town. Its houses and buildings had been torn down or moved, and its cemeteries were relocated to higher ground.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: The First 200 Years; Electricity for Atlanta
Is the Chattooga River near Clayton a Wild and Scenic River?
Yes. Congress added the Chattooga to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System on May 10, 1974. Its designated reach runs 58.7 miles through North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and ends at Lake Tugaloo, and 41.6 of those miles are classed as wild. In Rabun County, the Forest Service manages the river corridor.
Source: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: Chattooga River
How high is Clayton, GA above sea level?
Downtown Clayton sits about 1,930 feet above sea level. A U.S. Geological Survey elevation query at the Main Street and Savannah Street signal returns 1,931.8 feet. That puts Black Rock Mountain State Park's 3,640-foot high point roughly 1,700 feet higher than downtown. Georgia State Parks warns that the mountain is often cooler and may close in ice.
Source: USGS Elevation Point Query Service; Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: City of Clayton
