Each cabin is only permitted 2 Guest Cards and each card will only allow 4 people in the pools and Rec Center at a time. Please keep this in mind if you visit these locations. Please be sure to return both cards to avoid any chargebacks.

1. 🎣 Parks

   • Fish Pond - 5 Min Drive

     • A peaceful, stocked pond near the front of the neighborhood — no fishing license required! It’s perfect for a quiet morning by the water.

   • Big Creek - 4 Min Drive (featured pic above.)

     • A family favorite! Bring a few chairs, let the kids splash, or follow the scenic hiking trail from Big Creek to the Fish Pond — it’s a beautiful creekside walk.

   • River Park - 4 Min Drive

     • Soft sand, gentle rapids, and endless fun! Set up chairs in the water, float down the mini-rapids (June–Aug is best), or launch a tube or kayak and float down to Fife Bridge. River Park is a great place to let the kids play in the sand. Park your car anywhere that's open and enjoy the peaceful sounds of nature! If you're feeling really adventurous in June, July, or Aug, grab a couple of folding chairs and set them up about 100ft upstream in the rapids. Our kids love to float down the rapids in their life vests and walk back up to do it all over again!

     • This is also the best spot to put in either a tube or kayak and float down to Fife Bridge. 

   • North Park - 12 Min Drive

     • Located on the river, this small park is very private and has a small playset perfect for little ones.

   • Fish Trap Park - 15 Min Drive

     • This is a great place to walk around and enjoy the river. The park has a swinging bridge that spans from Fish Trap Park over to Riverside Pool.

     • There's a newly build playground here's that's great for the kids as well as a pavilion. 

   • Beaver Lake Tennis Courts - 5 Min Drive

2. 🎾 Rec Center - Guest Card Required - 15 Min Drive

   • Indoor Pool 

   • Fitness center with newly updated equipment.

   • Arcade

   • Tennis Court

   • Basket Ball Court

   • Pickle Ball Court

   • Putt Putt

3. 🏊 Pools - Guest Card Required

   • The indoor pool at the Rec Center is open year-round. 

   • Foxhound Pool is the more tranquil outdoor pool with the fewest visitors during the summer. It is generally open from Memorial Day until Labor Day | Generally open 11am to 7pm.

   • Riverside Pool is located at Fish Trap Park, just on the other side of the swinging bridge. It is generally open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Generally open 9am to 8pm.

4. 🚣 Tubing/Kayaking

   • The ideal place to put in is at River Park. You will need someone to either drop you off and then pick you up at Fife Bridge, or you'll need to have two cars and leave one at Fife Bridge before putting in at River Park.

   • Kayaks are available downstairs. You will need to bring your own life jacket as it is required on the river.

     • Please be sure to clean the kayaks when done and return them to their same spot 

   • NEVER go past Fife Bridge (it's the only bridge so you can't miss it). If you go past Fife Bridge you'll likely need to call rescue because the nearest "out/boat ramp" in Carters Lake is miles away. You don't want to make this mistake.

   • Feel free to message me with any questions about the river. We've been down tons of times! 

   • Don't have two cars, no problem.  Cartecay River Tubing Co. also offers put in and get out and tube rentals - all within 5-mile commune from the property.

🌟 Things to Do Nearby

To be honest, it’s almost impossible to list everything within 30 minutes of Creekside Cabin — there’s just so much to see and do! But here are some of our personal favorites to get you started. We also recommend joining local Ellijay Facebook groups or searching social media for hidden gems — locals share amazing tips and upcoming events all the time!

🏘 Downtown Ellijay

Our hometown gem — a charming small-town square filled with boutique shops, antique stores, and family-friendly restaurants. It’s the perfect place to park, stroll, and spend an afternoon.

🛍 Shopping

• Local antique stores & furniture shops

• The Gumdrop Fun Shop (a hit with the kids!)
  
  

🍴 Dining Favorites

• Abby’s Ice Cream 🍦

• The Roof Ellijay (our personal favorite!)

• Cantaberry

• Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza

• Cartecay Wine & Craft

• River Street Tavern

• Cornerstone Café
  
  

🚂 Downtown Blue Ridge

Think of it as Ellijay’s big sister — about four times the size and packed with shops, cafes, and mountain charm. (If you’re from Florida, picture a cozy, mountain-style St. Augustine.)

It’s magical during Christmas, and one of our favorite restaurants Southern Charm is here — hands-down a must-try if you’re in town Monday–Saturday.

You’ll also find a great park for kids and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, perfect for a family outing.

🍎 Apple Orchards

Ellijay is Georgia’s Apple Capital, and you’ll see why the moment you visit.

BJ Reece Orchard — Perfect for younger kids with tons of family activities and treats.
R&A Orchards — Enjoy a tractor ride with mountain views, pick fresh apples, and visit the flower patch in bloom.

🎃 Fall Favorites

Fall here is pure magic — cozy weather, colorful leaves, and festive farms.

Town Creek Valley Farm — Seasonal corn maze and family activities (check Facebook for open dates).
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm — A must-visit near Amicalola Falls! From tiny pumpkins to ones the size of a power wheel, this spot is a family tradition for us.
Ellijay Farm Stand — Fresh produce, baked goods, and u-pick or u-cut experiences throughout the year.

🍷 Vineyards & Wineries

Gilmer County is full of beautiful vineyards, and each one has its own personality.

Our closest is Grapes and Ladders, just six miles away.
 

Other favorites include:

• The Roo Winery

• Ott Vineyards

• Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard & Winery

• Fainting Goat Vineyards
  
  

Want to visit a few without driving? A Grape View Wine Tours will chauffeur you to your top picks in their Sprinter van — it’s such a fun way to spend an afternoon!

🥾 Hikes & Waterfalls

There’s no shortage of trails and scenic spots nearby.

Amicalola Falls State Park — One of Georgia’s most stunning parks, with 700-ft waterfalls and breathtaking views.
We like to picnic by the creek at the base, then drive halfway up for the best walking trail and viewing spot.
 

Fun fact: it’s also the official start of the Appalachian Trail!

Falls Creek Falls — A short drive from the cabin with a moderate hike and refreshing swimming area (our girls can’t resist splashing here — even in winter!).

🚣 Tubing & Whitewater Adventures

If you’d like a tubing experience outside the neighborhood, you’ll find plenty of local outfitters online.

For thrill-seekers:

• Ocoee Outdoor Center (host of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events) offers exciting rafting trips — best for experienced paddlers.

• Nantahala Outdoor Center is a bit farther but ideal for beginners or families — such a fun day trip!
  
  

🚴 Mountain Biking

We’ve been told Ellijay is the Mountain Biking Capital of Georgia!
While we haven’t hit all the trails ourselves, Talking Rock Nature Park gets great reviews and is family-friendly.

If you discover a favorite trail, we’d love for you to share it with us so we can pass it along to future guests!

💛 Final Tip

No matter what you choose to do — whether it’s sipping wine, hiking waterfalls, or just sitting by the creek — take a moment to slow down and enjoy this little corner of North Georgia. It’s what made us fall in love with Ellijay in the first place.