Ellijay is the Apple Capital of Georgia and growth area for wineries. It is located in Gilmer Couty Georgia. Attractions include Lake Carters, the deepest man made lake east of the Mississippi River, Amicalola Falls State Park, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi, and Fort Mountian State Park, 855 ft mystery wall.  Ellijay was part of the Gold Rush in 1842 and you can still find gold today in the streams and rivers. 

Things to Do:

Georgia Apple Festival October 8th and 9th also the 15th and 16th 2011
Celebrate centered on the apple becuase the apple saved Gilmer County from the devastation of the boll weevil.

Grandpa Jones Corn Maze
Fun for the whole family.
www.grandpajonescornmaze.com

Springer Mountain
Where the Appalachian trail starts and continues 2000+ miles to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

Carters Lake
It has more than 60 miles of shoreline and 3,220 acres of water. Nestled at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Great lake for camping, picnicking, fishing, water skiing, or sight-seeing. There is a Public beach at Harris branch off Hwy. 382 off S. Main street out of Ellijay - follow signs for Harris Branch Recreation Area.

Cartecay River
There is a  stretch of the Cartecay River  which is about 8 miles of whitewater. According to American Whitewater it  is a class I-II section of whitewater. Otherwise great river to paddle down and enjoy nature.

Coosawattee River
The Coosawattee River is formed at the junction of the Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers just north of Ellijay. It used to be one of the more thrilling rides in the southeastern US until Carters Lake was built, but today it offers a great river to paddle down as well as some good fishing.

Sharp Mountain Vineyards