Sponsored by Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Unicoi State Park and Lodge is the right place for nature lovers to relax and calm down, get away from the hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life and let the ability of nature calm down you.
With spectacular views of the encompassing Appalachian Mountains, in addition to quick access to all of Unicoi’s many sights, there may be a lot to get pleasure from about this lodge.
You may stroll alongside miles of forested trails, forged a line in one of many park’s many fishing spots, or take a leisurely kayak journey on lovely Lake Unicoi.
When you’re seeking to get again to nature and questioning what a keep at Unicoi State Park & Lodge is like, then hold studying to search out out about our expertise staying there.
We’ve secured an amazing Unicoi Lake Lodge only for y journey Readers
Save 40% on in a single day stays by way of June 30, 2023, and obtain Breakfast for two the following morning (first evening solely). Use Promo Code 40MP to e-book on-line if prompted.
Provide based mostly on double occupancy and availability. Blackout dates could apply. The low cost is just out there for stays by way of June 30, 2023. Breakfast for two is first evening solely. Meals credit score holds no financial worth and can’t be cashed in or utilized outdoors the onsite eating places. Not relevant for OTA’s, teams or reservations of 5 or extra rooms per evening. No different reductions apply. Relevant charges and taxes not included.
Click on right here to e-book your stick with the low cost code: 40MP
What Makes Unicoi State Park & Lodge Particular?
One of many issues now we have fallen in love with essentially the most in regards to the Southeast is lake life.
There’s a sure form of serenity that solely a lake gives. It gives a stillness my meditating-loving psyche gravitates in direction of. It feels historical and grounding and calls me to peace.
In order quickly as we drove as much as our barrel-shaped cabin within the forest at Unicoi State Park and Lodge in Georgia and noticed the lake from our deck, I knew we have been in for a peaceable household retreat.
My physique moved quick to unload and unpack. Then I declared, “I’m going for a stroll across the lake. It’s solely 2.5 miles and now we have sufficient time earlier than dinner.”
I might barely anticipate Craig to placed on his sneakers.
Don’t fear in case you can’t keep embraced in that quiet, nonetheless power for too lengthy – Unicoi State Park & Lodge has loads of adventurous actions to steadiness it out for you.
The place Is The Journey Lodge, Unicoi State Park?
Solely two miles from the Alpine Village of Helen within the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in Tanglewood, Unicoi State Park & Lodge is likely one of the hottest and cherished state parks in Georgia.
This 1,050-acre state park is centered round lovely Lake Unicoi inside the Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest.
The title Unicoi comes from the Cherokee phrase, “unega,” that means “white.” Because the state park stands on the unique Unicoi Path – a buying and selling path that related Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia – it’s assumed that Unicoi refers to “place of the white man”, or “the white man’s highway”.
It’s the place European merchants swapped axes, weapons and fabric with distant Cherokee villages for furs, deer skins and ginseng.
Nevertheless, it’s mentioned the title might additionally consult with the white fog of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Issues to Do At Georgia’s Journey Lodges Unicoi State Park
That is greater than a state park with a couple of climbing trails and the lodge is called one in every of Georgia’s Journey Lodges for a motive!
Unicoi gives memorable experiences like paddle boarding, 3-D archery, fly fishing, an adrenaline-pumping zip line course, and a close-by spectacular waterfall.
1. See the Lovely Anna Ruby Falls
It didn’t take lengthy on the quick climbing path to the Anna Ruby Falls for me to mark it as one in every of my favourite waterfalls within the USA.
The path by way of the luxurious verdant forest previous the meandering, full-flowing and cascading Smith Creek was sufficient for me to know this place was particular.
It’s particular sufficient to be shielded from inside the Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest and designated because the Anna Ruby Falls Nationwide Recreation Space. It borders the Unicoi State Park, which supplies you quick access to go to. In truth, you need to undergo Unicoi State Park to get to the Guests Heart on the falls.
Anna Ruby Falls is a double waterfall. At 150 toes above, the Curtis Creek and York Creek (which begins excessive on Tray Mountain on the Appalachian Path) come thundering down the cliff face and merge collectively on the backside to kind Smith Creek, (which runs by way of the park).
It’s a formidable sight and a waterfall vista you received’t neglect.
If the one mile return path isn’t sufficient for you, you’ll be able to hike the 5 miles from Anna Ruby Falls again to Unicoi Lodge.
Nevertheless you select to expertise it, Anna Ruby Falls is a should when exploring the North Georgia mountains.
2. Do The Unicoi Zipline & Aerial Journey Tour
Time to get out of your consolation zone for an adrenaline rush 100ft within the air zooming throughout zip strains that vary from 75 to 2,000 toes lengthy.
The Aerial Journey Tour has three zip line programs, from novice strains to the last word adrenaline rush, that take you throughout as much as 19 zip strains and 9 suspension bridges.
Be ready for the last word finish on the half-mile, double zip line over the lake and see in case you can kick up a splash along with your toes. (FYI: You actually can’t!)
Sadly, our ziplining journey was cancelled as a consequence of a thunderstorm. We have been all devastated, however all nice locations want an excuse to return!
3. Kayak or Paddleboard on Unicoi Lake
Not solely do I really like being within the presence of lakes, however my different favourite factor to do on them is get up paddle boarding. I haven’t discovered an outside exercise that provides me as a lot Zen as silently paddling throughout a relaxed lake.
Paddling on Unicoi Lake was chic with its fairly reflections, mountain backdrop and water so clear I might see sunken bushes and big fish swimming previous.
Craig and the women paddled beside me of their kayaks. Then we switched all of them out for a leg-pumping exercise on the four-person Pontoon Pedal Boats.
You may lease kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and pedal boats from the Customer Heart.
4. Go Fly Fishing within the Lake and Streams
Throw in a line, anglers, the fish are biting!
Unicoi Lake is a superb place to catch bass, bluegill and catfish and Smith Creek is the place for trout fishing, as it’s stocked regularly.
The part beneath the lake and dam (Decrease Smith Creek) is catch-and-release solely from Nov 1 – Might 14. Fly fishing lessons are provided by the park.
5. Hit The Mountain climbing Trails at Unicoi State Park
There are 5 Unicoi state park trails of assorted lengths and difficulties.
All will take you thru lovely, forested settings, crossing streams and creeks and passing mountain flowers corresponding to rhododendrons and mountain laurels.
Listed here are 3 Unicoi climbing trails we advocate:
Lake Path
The Lake Path was what Craig and I walked once we first arrived. It’s a simple 2.5-mile loop that winds across the fringe of the 53-acre Unicoi Lake.
You’ll have lovely views of the lake and mountains and also you even move by a beached space in case you’d like a swimming break.
Smith Creek Path
The Smith Creek Path is 4.8 miles a technique and leads from the campground by way of the Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest to the pinnacle of the Smith Creek at Anna Ruby Falls.
Unicoi/Helen Path
Why not make a enjoyable day of exploring Alpine Helen by strolling there?
A 3-mile reasonable to strenuous path will take you to Helen’s Unicoi Hill Metropolis Park. It can move the Mountain Biking Path and Bottoms Loop Path alongside the way in which – so technically you’ve checked off three Unicoi trails in a single!
Archery & Air Gun Vary
One household exercise we cherished experiencing on our Georgia state parks highway journey was archery; a lot that the women have requested us to search out an archery course in Raleigh for them.
Sadly, as a result of thunderstorm we missed the 3-D Archery Vary inside Unicoi, however once more – we’ll be again!
The Archery & Air Gun Vary is a taking pictures facility that’s arrange for static archery goal apply, 3-D archery goal apply and air gun rifle goal apply.
6. Keep in a Barrel Formed Cabin
We’ve stayed in loads of distinctive lodging throughout our travels, however this was our first time sleeping in a barrel formed cabin.
Immersed within the forest on the sting of the lake you’ll discover a small village of those cabins constructed on stilts. The structural design of the Unicoi State Park cabins permits the wildlife of the forest to exist with minimal human obstruction.
Benefit from the rocking chair views of the forest and glimpses of the lake out of your deck. The zipline was out the entrance of ours so we might watch the adrenaline junkies zipping previous with extensive smiles.
The cabins are spacious with two bedrooms upstairs, whereas downstairs you could have a full kitchen, lavatory, dwelling and eating rooms, and even a fire to get pleasure from.
And sure, the within can be formed like a barrel.
Except for the Barrel Cabins, there are additionally rustic cabin choices on the Smith Creek and bigger lake view Deluxe Cabins.
7. Go to Helen Waterpark
Helen Waterpark is only a few minute’s away from the state park and gives an aquatic oasis with water rides such because the Helens Falls Flume, a 6-story excessive physique slide.
You may trip down one of many many tube slides or strive your hand at stand-up paddle boarding within the lazy river.
It’s an amazing place to go when it’s essential cool off on sizzling summer season days or have small youngsters who want extra pleasure than the playground.
It additionally has an interactive Splash Pad for toddlers and an enormous Olympic-size swimming pool.
Different Lodging at Unicoi State Park & Lodge
Regardless of your type of getaway, the Unicoi State Park has your mountain retreat lodging coated.
We extremely advocate the barrel-shaped cabins for households, however you even have the next choices with luxurious facilities:
Unicoi Lodge
Staying at Unicoi Lodge locations you within the hub of all issues occurring on the park.
It’s the place you’ll discover the exercise middle, a small retailer with domestically sourced items, pool tables, eating places, and communal fireplace pits within the grassed courtyard.
The lodge has 100 comfy, fashionable visitor rooms of assorted sizes and loads of these have mountain views.
Every room comes with a snack bar, TV with cable channels, free self parking, a personal lavatory with a bathe/tub combos and hair dryers, and toiletries.
Some rooms include a lounge space. Friends staying on the lodge can get pleasure from a weekend buffet breakfast.
The Journey Camp
Touring as a bunch or with prolonged household?
The Journey Camp at Unicoi gives a communal glamping expertise, with 5 sleeping cabins, a communal kitchen, and separate males’s and ladies’s full bogs. You even have entry to a picnic space, grills, and a campfire.
The Journey Camp has an idyll secluded location on Smith Creek the place you’ll be able to fish for trout or prepare dinner s’mores over the hearth by the creek.
Campground
The Unicoi State Park campground is in an attractive, forested setting proper close to the Customer Heart and lake. There are 84 campsites together with RV full hook ups and stroll in primitive tent websites.
Different Facilities at Unicoi State Park Lodge
In addition to having glorious lodging choices and loads of issues to do, it’s also possible to reap the benefits of these different facilities.
- Additional beds for youngsters. You may request toddler beds and cribs for ages 0-2, however not additional beds for adults.
- Ticket help for close by sights.
- 24 hour safety and smoke detectors.
- 24 hour reception.
- Shuttle providers to Helen on Friday – Sunday.
- Enterprise middle and convention middle.
- Each day housekeeping.
- It’s additionally an amazing vacation spot for weddings and would make for an attractive marriage ceremony venue.
Test-In/Test-Out Directions
It’s very straightforward to test out and in of the Lodge, you merely want to indicate your reservation affirmation and a government-issued picture identification and the bank card or debit card you paid with.
It’s best to ensure that to report any particular requests or particular accessibility must the lodge earlier than arriving.
Chances are you’ll be requested for a money deposit and incidental costs. There are additionally extra-person costs and a resort price. You might also be requested to pay a park price when utilizing reserving platforms.
Word: the time of check-in is after 4pm and check-out is at 11am.
Eating at Unicoi State Park Lodge
The Unicoi Lodge has a few eating choices for you throughout your keep.
The Smith Creek Tavern is an off-the-cuff restaurant and bar providing southern delicacies. Good to catch the sport and pattern native and regional craft beer, wine and signature cocktails.
My Unicoi burger right here was excellent as have been the large pizzas with inventive toppings.
We cherished taking part in shuffleboard and our ladies turned fairly the pool sharks, operating out to play video games whereas we relaxed over drinks and grownup dialog.
We love holidays that cater to each adults and youngsters like this one did.
With a big stone fire, tall ceilings and mountain views, the Unicoi Restaurant is the right setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with basic Southern and American delicacies constituted of recent, native components.
Points of interest Close by Unicoi State Park
Unicoi State Park is close to the alpine city of Helen and different widespread mountain cities like Dahlonega, Hiawassee, and Sautee Nacoochee. Atlanta is just one hour and 40 minutes away.
The subsequent cease on our Georgia highway journey was slightly below an hour away at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa.
Earlier than this we visited the close by Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge and Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Membership in South Georgia.
We’ve secured an amazing Unicoi Lake Lodge only for y journey Readers
Save 40% on in a single day stays by way of June 30, 2023, and obtain Breakfast for two the following morning (first evening solely). Use Promo Code 40MP to e-book on-line if prompted.
Provide based mostly on double occupancy and availability. Blackout dates could apply. The low cost is just out there for stays by way of June 30, 2023. Breakfast for two is first evening solely. Meals credit score holds no financial worth and can’t be cashed in or utilized outdoors the onsite eating places. Not relevant for OTA’s, teams or reservations of 5 or extra rooms per evening. No different reductions apply. Relevant charges and taxes not included.
Click on right here to e-book your stick with the low cost code: 40MP
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