Blue Ridge Lake near Morganton, Georgia, is 90 miles north of Atlanta and light years away from it all. Visit the area for family vacations, romantic getaways, or an all-girls weekend — you will find the perfect hotel, lodge, cabin, luxury vacation home, or bed and breakfast waiting for you. Choose from Blue Ridge Lake vacation rentals with tranquil lakeside vistas, stunning mountain views, creek-side retreats, or family campgrounds. With so many exciting adventures to find, you’ll want to return again and again. Here are the ten best places to stay in the Blue Ridge Lake area.

1. On the shores of Blue Ridge Lake

Covering 3,290 acres, Blue Ridge Lake features 65 miles of shoreline, including land in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the lake for picnics, swimming, fishing, boat ramps, and a full-service marina. Nearby attractions include the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, kayaking and lots of restaurants with unique local cuisine.

2. Ducktown, Tennessee

Ducktown lies just across the Tennessee and Georgia border, and provides a refreshing break from busy city life. Go whitewater rafting, visit a casino, shop for antiques, or sit in a cozy cafe and write in your journal or read a book. The locals welcome visitors with open arms, and invite you to settle in and enjoy the mountain air.

3. Mineral Bluff, Georgia

Get close to nature in the Mineral Bluff area around the pristine Roccoa River tail waters. This area has spectacular wildlife watching, trout fishing, wading, and guided tours. Enjoy going on a hike with a guide through backwoods trails inCherokee country, and learn about Georgia’s Native American history. Stop along the way to listen to the thundering sound of the Old Mill Pond waterfall.

4. Morganton, Georgia

Morganton is a mile from the lake and has something for everyone. It is so beautiful here that it is a popular wedding destination. You’ll have easy access to horseback riding stables and campgrounds in this area, and can also visit Tank Town USA. Visiting Tank Town USA is the number one activity in town — you can spend an afternoon driving a tank and crushing cars. If you’d rather have some peace and quiet by the water, visit the marina to get your gear for your favorite water sport.

5. Blue Ridge, Georgia

Take the family for a scenic excursion on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to see some breathtaking mountain views. The trains leave the Blue Ridge Train Depot and travels to the Copperhill, Tennessee and McCaysville, Georgia areas. Stopovers give you a few hours to shop, enjoy lunch, and explore new places, and the total trip takes about three and a half hours overall. Popular activities along the way include a zipline adventure through the trees, mountain bike riding, or taking the family to the popular Swan Drive-In Movie Theater.

6. Helen, Georgia

Helen brings the magic of a Bavarian village to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Kids and grownups can enjoy panning for gold together or digging for rubies at one of the local mines. In the fall, you can go on adventures through a corn maze, and miniature golf is available at all times of the year.

7. Cherry Log, Georgia

Cherry Log’s rural surroundings are ideal for a mountain vacation. Locals and visitors love the barbecue at The Pink Pig, a fun country restaurant with a down-home atmosphere. Be sure to experience the hike to Fall Branch Falls to take pictures of the mossy forest floor and cascading waterfall. It’s an uphill hike, but it’s well worth the effort.

8. Epworth, Georgia

The Epworth area has it all: mountains, lakes, streams, abundant wildlife, and shopping. Go tubing down Fightingtown Creek, or canoe along the Toccoa River — both are very close to Epworth. Make sure to visit the Oconee Whitewater Center, the site of the 1996 rafting Olympics, only 15 minutes away.

9. Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia

Sautee Nacoochee is a must-go destination for anyone who loves art. features craftsmen who preserve the traditions of their art. Descended from Native Americans and European settlers, they make blown glass treasures, sing, dance and share their talent with the public. Immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of the area at the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, the Indian mound and the Stovall Covered Bridge.

10. McCaysville, Georgia

McCaysville area attractions include hiking the beautiful trails of North Georgia, biking, antique stores, white water rafting and local music in the park. The Tennessee/Georgia state line runs through the center of town, and it is represented by “The Blue Line.” Get someone to take your picture with one foot in each state for a memorable souvenir.