Hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with the kangaroos where the mountains meet the lakes in Dawsonville, Georgia.

Affordable and located off GA 400, it is 50 minutes north of Atlanta, with easy access to the city, the Atlanta airport and all major corridors. Located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains and edging Lake Lanier, Dawson County provides a serene backdrop with its tumbling waterfalls and peaceful ambiance that has long been a meeting place and activity center for groups as far back as the Cherokee Indians.

Enjoy horseback riding and wagon rides in the mountains, visit the Kangaroo Conservation Center (the largest of its kind outside Australia), shop the North Georgia Premium Outlets (groups get discount coupon books), take nature classes and relax at spa and wellness centers. Dawsonville-Dawson County is an ideal base for exploring the treasures of the North Georgia Mountains.

Lodging and group facilities

Dawson County’s lodging landscape takes full advantage of its beautiful mountain setting with restorative, retreat-like accommodations equipped for executive retreats, women’s ministry conferences, wellness retreats, youth groups and relationship/team building activities. Both Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge and Forrest Hills Mountain Resort can accommodate up to 200 and have on-site restaurant and meeting space, but are also attuned to the needs of smaller tour groups and reunions. The “green” nature-based Len Foote Hike Inn combines wilderness hiking with hotel comforts. A number of limited-service, brand name chain hotels are ideally suited to smaller groups and reunions. Accommodations are affordable and many offer value packages for groups.

Dining and entertainment

Unique evening entertainment and dining options may be found in Dawson County at Amicalola Falls State Park. Nature Programs presented in Lodge; special meal packages for holidays with live music; casual dining, buffet or menu with dessert and salad bar.Forrest Hills Mountain Resort and Spa also offers an abundance of outdoor activities including wagon rides, camp –style cookouts, horseback rides and hikes; a wide variety of entertainment and meal functions are available throughout the year. In-town options include the Peach Brandy House and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.

A Hospitality Highway community (www.hospitalityhighway.com), Dawson County is close to Dahlonega, site of the First U.S. Gold Rush; the Bavarian village of Alpine Helen, Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland and Brasstown Bald, the highest elevation in Georgia from which you can see four states, and more.

Dawsonville-Dawson County can accommodate all types of groups:

• Executive Retreats
• Women’s Ministry Conferences
• Wellness Retreats
• Youth groups
• Meetings, Conventions and Group Activities
• Two full-service mountain lodges and retreat facilities

Group activities and options:

• Amicalola Falls State Park
• Kangaroo Conservation Center
• Wagon Rides/Cookouts
• North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall – 140 stores and discount coupon book for groups

Nature-based tourism for groups:

• Kayaking, Canoeing and Fishing on the Amicalola and Etowah Rivers
• Horseback Riding
• Hiking
• Relationship/Team Building Activities
• “Green” nature-based lodge ∙ Limited-service, brand name chain hotels

Excellent location for Hub and Spoke Trip Extenders. Close to:

• Numerous North Georgia wineries
• Dahlonega, Site of the First U.S. Gold Rush
• Alpine Helen Bavarian Village
• Babyland General Hospital
• Brasstown Bald (see 4 states) and more
• Only 45 minutes north of Atlanta