OT: Woodsy Getaway

[Badon]

The girlfriend and I are looking to get in the car this week and find some nature. Cabins with A/C...hiking...kayak/canoe rentals...biking...scenery...places where Covid restrictions won’t dampen the experience much. Any suggestions? We’ve been looking at North Bama, maybe Georgia, springs in Florida, etc.

Original plan to drive to Key West has been nixed.

 

[aTotal360]

There are tons of cabin rentals in north GA. You can also do a self guided tour of all the waterfalls. Some of them you can swim in.

https://www.exploregeorgia.org/things-to-do/list/10-georgia-waterfalls-worthy-of-a-walk-in-the-woods

 

[Augustus McCrae]

The girlfriend and I are looking to get in the car this week and find some nature. Cabins with A/C...hiking...kayak/canoe rentals...biking...scenery...places where Covid restrictions won’t dampen the experience much. Any suggestions? We’ve been looking at North Bama, maybe Georgia, springs in Florida, etc.

Original plan to drive to Key West has been nixed.

Take a look at the Bryson City North Carolina area. Love it up there. You can’t go wrong with North Georgia either.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

I'll also throw in the Pigeon Forge area. Search for a secluded cabin and then just rarely leave. I have no idea what restrictions are in place, but the Apple Barn complex in Sevierville is great. Good restaurants, winery, Christmas store, general store, candy / fudge store.

I've used www.auntbug.com and never been disappointed in my cabins.

 

[Bulldogbilly]

I second the North Georgia suggestion. Went for first time in January. Beautiful area without the Gatlinburg crowds. Try Blue Ridge / Cherry Log area. Lots of cabins on the mountain streams. Good way to beat the heat.

 

[basedawg]

I second the North Georgia suggestion. Went for first time in January. Beautiful area without the Gatlinburg crowds. Try Blue Ridge / Cherry Log area. Lots of cabins on the mountain streams. Good way to beat the heat.

Yes to Blue Ridge and Cherry Log especially, quite, not crowed and plenty to see in the surrounding area. Go to Duck Town and raft the Ocoee River, if you and girly-friend are adventurous enough do the 10 mile rafting, upper and middle river. Several places to rent canoes and kayaks.

 

[My Bru]

Like others have said, hard to beat the Georgia/Tennessee/North Carolina intersection up there. I mean the Great Smokies National Park was originally founded by rich Knoxville folks looking for a way to beat the heat. The whole area is devoted to outdoor recreation.

There are a few places in Alabama but they won't compare to the area above.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Dittos to everyone who suggested North Georgia. I've not been there but it's on my shortlist.

 

[WilCoDawg]

Elkmont was the Knoxville riche’s get-away. I wouldn’t say they “founded” the park since that was done by the government and the families that had property there were forced to sell to the government. I know a family that had a cabin there and they’re still bitter to this day.
Anyhoo, any place in the Smokies is great as long as you avoid the tourist trap towns. NGA is also great.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Juniper Springs State Park in the Ocala National Forest is a beautiful place if you wanna go the springs route

 

[maroonmadman]

Take a look at the Bryson City North Carolina area. Love it up there. You can’t go wrong with North Georgia either.

I'll second the Bryson City area. You have the Tuckaseegee river, rafting, kayaking, for the beginners. If you want to step up the Nantahala and Cheoah rivers. The Ocoee is nearby too. Bryson City is an easy drive away fro Asheville, NC, tons of breweries there. Bryson City had the Nantahala Brewery.