For great information on hiking & horseback trails plus other great facts & directions, go to www.MountainTravelGuide.com

Fields of the Wood: This is an inspiring Bible Park nestled in the Smoky Mountains, only 3 miles from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch.  It has the  largest display of the ten commandments in the world.  The park also includes many other religious displays, picnic areas, gift shop, cafe, and nature trails.  The admission is free.  Check out the website at www.fieldsofthewoodbiblepark.net or contact them at 828-494-7855.   It is an awesome and unique place to visit for all faiths.

Ocoee River:  The Ocoee River is less than a 30 minute drive. and is considered by many to be the most famous whitewater river.  The Ocoee was the site of the whitewater canoe and kayaking events of the 1996 Olympic Games.  The Ocoee has the most continuous stretch of Class III and IV rapids of any river in the country. It is dam-controlled and is “turned on and off” to provide power to the region.  Therefore it is important to check with the professional companies for tour times The Tenn. State Parks department requires all rafters on the Ocoee to be at least 12 years of age.  Several companies offer guided trips starting around Ducktown, TN.  Some of the professional tour companies include:

                                Rafting & kayaking:

Eagle Adventures, Copperhill, TN: 800-288-3245, www.eagleadventures.com

Ocoee Adventure Center, Ducktown, TN: 888-723-8622, www.OcoeeAdventureCenter.com

Ocoee Whitewater Center: Located in the Cherokee National Forest, the center site of the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak Competition is now a visitor center & recreation area.  The Tanasi Trail System offers more than 30 miles of hiking & biking trails at all different levels of difficulty.  There is a snack bar and gift shop on site. 877-692-6050.  www.fs.fed.us/r8/ocoee/

Mercier Orchards: Near Blue Ridge, Ga., Mercier Orchards is a “must see” place for apples and other seasonal produce, specialty gifts, and homemade items.  It has a deli and bakery plus U-pick seasons. Check the website: www.mercier-orchards.com.

Ducktown Basin Museum: Copper Mine Museum on the site of the old Burra Burra Mine. Ducktown, Tennessee.  Call 423-496-5778.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: Located in Blue Ridge, Georgia and only a 30-mile drive from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch, the railroad offers scenic trips from March through December.  The railroad is over 100 years old.  The 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River begins in Blue Ridge and stops in the connecting towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee for passengers to explore the quaint connecting, border towns brimming with antiques.  The round trip takes 4 hours.   You may contact the railroad at 800-934-1898 or www.brscenic.com.

Horseback Riding: Although there are many horseback riding companies in the area, we highly recommend Blanche Manor.  They are located less than 30 minutes away near Copperhill, Tennessee.  The rides show the scenic mountain beauty and include an overlook to Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.  The horses are very gentle and the staff is great.  They also cater to small children.  My grandchildren  had their first solo rides there and did really great.  You may contact them at 423-496-1060 or www.blanchemanor.com.

Golf:  Spectacular views and challenging courses are abundant in any direction.  Murphy, Blue Ridge, Hayesville, Blairsville, and other surrounding towns offer a variety of courses.  Some par 72 courses include:

Cherokee Hills Golf & Country Club, Murphy, NC 800-334-3905

Copper Basin Golf Club, Copperhill, Tn 423-496-3579

Butternut Creek Golf Course, Blairsville, Ga 706-745-5153

Brasstown Valley Resort, Young Harris, Ga 800-201-3205

Chatuge Shores Golf Course, Hayesville, NC 828-389-8940

 

MARINAS:

Mountain View Marina:   Lake Hiwassee is about 10 minutes from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch.  Boat rentals are available at this marina, one of several on the lake.  The lake has over 163 miles of shoreline primarily surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest.  At 307 feet high, the Hiwassee Dam is the tallest overspill dam in the world.  Just below the dam is a recreational day-use park on the Appalachia Reservoir.  Fishing ,and boating are open to the public.  Call 828-644-5451 or check out www.mountainviewmarina.com.

Lake Blue Ridge Marina: Located about 30 miles from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch, Lake Blue Ridge has one of the largest earthen dams in North America.  With 100 miles of shoreline, 80% of which is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land, it is a beautiful lake for boating and fishing.  Sitting 1690 feet above sea level, the lake is known for its walleye and bass.  The marina has a ramp for your boat, or you can rent a variety of boats and jet skiis.  Their web site is www.lakeblueridgemarina.com.   Also check out www.blueridgemountains.com for more information on fishing and sites in the area.

Cozy Cove Marina:   About 30 miles from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch, just north of Blairsville, is Lake Nottely  with 106 miles of shoreline primarily surrounded by private homes.  The marina rents pontoon boats and can be contacted at www.cozycoverealty.com/marina.html.  For more information on Lake Nottely, check out www.ucda.net/nottely.html.

Motorcycle & Off Road Trails:  Hwy 294 connects just 3 miles away and is a great cycle route into Tennessee or east to Murphy.  It is known for being a shady scenic route with lots of curves.  You can pick up Hwy 68 in Tennessee to take you northwest to Tellico Plains, one of the most popular off-road areas in the country.  The website www.telliquah.com is very informative about off road opportunities and cycling in the area, including the famous national scenic byway, Cherohala Skyway with a high point of 5,390 feet at Santeetlah Overlook.  The Skyway traverses the Unicoi and Appalachian Mountains.  The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is an scenic side trip.  All of these routes are easy day trips from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch.

John C. Campbell Folk School: For those who enjoy creative pastimes, the folk school, located in Brasstown, NC, is a unique center that offers courses in cooking, woodworking, weaving, pottery, photography, metalwork, and much more.  It was listed in Rand McNally as one of the top 30 U.S. destinations in their atlas, “Best of the Road”.  The drive is less than 45 minutes from WagonMaster Adventure Ranch.  Besides the courses, the school offers tours and a free concert series on Friday nights featuring some of the finest regional and national performers of old-time, bluegrass, folk, gospel and Celtic music.  For more information, contact 1-800-FOLK-SCH or check out www.folkschool.org.

Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens: About a one hour drive from the ranch, the largest collection of rhododendrons in Georgia can be found in the town of Hiawassee, Georgia overlooking beautiful Lake Chatuge.  Over 3,000 rhododendrons bloom from April through June in these gardens, located at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.   Azaleas and other plants are on sale during the May Rhododendron Festival.  You may contact the Georgia Mountain Fair at 706-896-4191 or visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

 

Don’t forget to check our latest onsite activity at www.WagonMasterRanch.com.

Nearby    Attractions

For a view of the beautiful area landscapes & wildlife, check  the website for local watercolor artist, Penny Johnson, at: www.BrushStrokesbyPenny.com.