Rabun county ga or smokey mountains tn
 

Which has better fall foliage during Oct 19th smokey mountains or rabun county ga in terms of scenery? I don't need extra entertainment e.g. Outlet malls or shows scenery is what I'm going for.

Well, based on my previous posts you know I'm a big fan of Rabun county during fall foliage season. The main reason is that it's not as crowded as the national park and you don't have to deal with the awful outlet mall traffic, etc. Rabun county is a lot closer to Atlanta so cuts your drive time in half. Highlands and Cashiers are higher in elevation and a bit fancier. Since it's only a weekend, I'd vote for more time seeing and doing things and less time in the car - but I am quite clear that I am biased. I only go in the national park about once a decade.

Take a look at the rotating photos at this website -
http://explorerabun.com/
The little church is in the Wolfork Valley
Here's the first touch of color in the valley -
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

I've not been to Rabun county - but I've been to GSMNP in October - and it is VERY busy and crowded everywhere, some places less so (see my response on your other post).

If it were me, and I were driving from Atlanta, I'd go to Rabun Co. just to save time and have maybe a more peaceful experience.

In fact, Starrs, you are making me want to go there, myself! Is this anywhere near Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain/Cloud Canyon SP area? I've always wanted to visit the latter.

From my parents' front porch in South Carolina, Rabun Bald dominated the western horizon.

I think Rabun County would be a fine place to visit, but you might have to get higher to be amongst real color. Highlands is at about 4000 feet if I recall correctly, so if there is color around, it is likely be around there. You don't have to stay there, but it is a nice spot for lunch.

Geez, Jill, you have 3 threads going. Stick to one and listen to what they say.

Geez Gretchen one of the three topic was a question from a past trip, that's over and done with, and since someone suggested Rabun that sounded promising I thought to post in Georgia site where it will get more attention. what's your beef? It's always the one who has no contribution that wants to complain. This topic will help a lot of travelers

Highlands is at 4000 feet. Black Rock Mountain in Rabun County is 3571. The good news about using Rabun as a base is that 1) you skip the crowds of GSMNP and 2) can drive around to really cool things to see in a 30 mile radius and will catch gorgeous color in different elevations. The third week of October is usually peak weekend in Rabun but if it's not, then traveling higher or further north will take you to peak color if you're a little too early or traveling lower or a bit further south you'll find peak color if it's a little too late. Honestly, the color was gorgeous into November last year. Every year is different but I'd be shocked if there wasn't great color that weekend.

I do think Highlands should be a drive you take though. It's only 17 miles up the road from 441 at Dillard and is a pretty drive. There are several pull-outs/lookouts on the right that you should stop at. If you want to do a bit of shopping on the way, there are a couple of options I like. If you want rustic antiques and stuff, stop at Middle Creek Barn antiques on the right (8716 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775). If you want very high end furnishings, gifts, and art stop at the Summer House on the left - http://summerhousehighlands.com/

Stop and park in Highlands and walk around. You'll find unique stores (there's an art store I love where the owner is selling off pieces of her jewelry collection for "lunch money" for her employees. I bought a vintage brooch there on my last trip for $10. The art prices are in the thousands. Across the street is a shop selling the high end clothing lines/names you'd shop for on the UES in NYC. I usually stop for ice cream at Kilwin's - https://www.kilwins.com/

You can continue on up to Cashiers if you are searching for peak color, but no matter what you do return via the road that runs from Highlands to Franklin, NC. Very curvy but gorgeous waterfalls. Get out and walk a bit to see the waterfalls, especially the one of the left as you head towards Franklin. Catch 441 to head back south to Dillard and Rabun County.

I promise you - between Tallulah Gorge, Clayton, Black Rock Mountain, Highlands and Franklin you will find "peak" somewhere along that route and gorgeous color ALL the way around that route.

On the way back to Atlanta, take this routing - Head west out of Clayton on 76 for a few miles. Turn south on 197. You'll pass through Ted Turner's property north of Batesville (you'll figure out which is his barn). Stop at the Batesville General Store if you want to see an old general store. Before that, take a tiny detour by turning left and stopping at Burton Gallery at Burton Dam Road for a tiny shop with wonderful antiques and new art.
http://www.burtongallery.net/

When the road splits at Batesville, bear left (unless you want to deal with the manic traffic of Helen GA - "just say no"). 197 continues south and it's just a lovely drive.

No matter what STOP at Mark of the Potter - a white grist mill on the left -
http://www.markofthepotter.com/
A potter will be at the wheel doing demos. Gorgeous potter from many different potters (including my favorite - Happy Valley Pottery from outside Athens GA). Go out on the porch and spend a quarter to buy fish food for the HUGE trout hanging out in the water below. These have to be the biggest trout in the world - a great trout life. If you are interested in seeing the workings of a grist mill, go down the steps to see the wheel (watch your head going down the steps). Mark of the Potter is one of the best places in N GA in my opinion.

When you leave, continue south and on into Clarkesville GA. You can get back on 441 south at Hollywood GA or follow the signs to 365 and you're on the way to Atlanta. By taking that routing, you'll see beautiful countryside and also miss a traffic jam that usually forms in Mountain City at the end of fall weekends.

Enjoy!

If you want restaurant or winery recommendations, let me know.

This sounds like my kind of a trip thank you for all the details, sometimes it can be just that one icecream cone on the road that makes the top special list on your trip, I would love restaurant and winery recommendations, we make it a point to go to one or two fancy meal on each trip.

I live near Sevier Co./ GSMNP. If you just want to see leaves and scenery; stay away from there, too much traffic! There are all kinds of mountains in NE Georgia, Western NC and East Tennessee.

Take a look at the picture on my profile page. It was taken by the (now retired) ranger on Black Rock mountain.

It will give you an idea of what the fall color and the mountains look like in fall in Rabun county.

Starr amazing picture, Are my chances good for the mountains to look like your picture on October 20th?

Yes. Very probable. Based on the last few years, that should be the best weekend.