Big Canoe

A secluded escape in The Blue Ridge Mountains, Dawson County offers national parks, hiking trails through foothills and access to some of Georgia’s best lakes. This is a place where NASCAR and moonshine are local pastimes. Homes sit on multiple acres with mountain views and dense trees surrounding them. It’s remote, so locals may have to drive a ways away to access grocery stores and shopping. But retail in nearby Dawsonville, like The North Georgia Premium Outlets, ensure residents aren’t too far from amenities. Kristie Myers, associate broker with Coldwell Banker, who lives in Dawson County, says, “We are right at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The beginning of the Appalachian Trail is in Dawson County. The hiking and mountain activities are a big draw. One of the largest waterfalls in the Southeast, the Amicalola Falls, is here. We have Lake Lanier. We have a lot.” The hotspot for entertainment in Dawson County these days is the great outdoors. “The whole community is dotted with state parks,” Myers says. Because of the plethora of lakes and rivers, such as Lake Lanier and the Etowah River, kayaking is a popular pastime. Weekend retreats at lodges in the Chattahoochee National Forest are another go-to. Len Foote Hike Inn is great for outdoor adventurers, as it’s only accessible by hiking through 5 miles of trails that begin at the top of Amicalola Falls. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, named for the beautiful 729-foot waterfall, offers a scenic, relaxed rustic cabin getaway. The park also begins the famous 78-mile Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia to Maine and is traversed by 3 million people a year. The 25,000-acre Dawson Forest is also in Dawson County. Marked and unmarked trails wander past two rivers, branching streams, mountain foothills, ridges, and valleys. This is a popular spot with hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and hunters. The natural beauty and wealth of outdoor activities have spurred a construction boom. Buyers can easily find homes with lake, mountain, or golf course views that range from rustic cabins to Craftsman- and ranch-style. Most lots sit on multiple acres. Big Canoe, a gated community with 4,750 planned homes, is one of the larger subdivisions. It features three lakes, 10 tennis courts, and a 27-hole golf course. “We have a lot of million-dollar lake homes,” Myers said. “I don’t think you’ll find anything less than $300,000 in Dawson County. The biggest sale we had last year was $3 million.” While there’s a mix of folks who live in Dawson County, Myers says the area skews toward the 55 and older crowd. “We have a lot of retirees,” Myers says. “A lot of people have a second home here.” Home to legendary NASCAR drivers and so much moonshine that locals argue it’s the Moonshine Capital of the World, it’s said that drivers honed their skills while running moonshine to Atlanta during prohibition. Residents celebrate their history every October at The Moonshine Festival and Car Show in Dawsonville. “Chase Elliott and Bill Elliott are from here,” Myers says. “Back in the day when Bill was a driver. They called him Awesome Bill from Dawsonville.” Dawson County is remote and large, so residents may have to drive several miles to reach small-town hubs with grocery stores and other essentials. Dawsonville is one option, with a Food Lion, Kroger, nail salons, and more. For racing fans, the Dawsonville Pool Room is a must-try. Locals can taste the NASCAR-themed restaurant’s “Bully Burger,” a hamburger topped with slaw, onions, mustard, ketchup and pickles. For something more upscale, head to The Blue Bicycle, serving smoked duck breast or wild shrimp. Also in Dawsonville are The North Georgia Premium Outlets, where locals can grab essentials from Walmart and The Home Depot or get new clothes from the Nike Factory Store or Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store. “There’s not much in the way of night life,” Myers says. “We go to bed at 9 p.m.” Students are zoned for The Dawson County School District and can attend Robinson Elementary School, which Niche grades a B. Then, they can attend Dawson County Middle, which gets a B-plus from Niche, before moving to Dawson County Junior High School, which gets a B from Niche. Then, they can finish their public education at Dawson County High School, which gets a B-minus from Niche. Dawson County High School students can join various clubs, from Fishing Club to Anime Club. People from all over come to take in the scenery, especially in the fall when the leaves change. Locals affectionately refer to such tourists “leaf-lookers.” “Georgia 400 runs right through the middle of Dawson County. It’s the main artery going north,” Myers says. “You can tell when the leaf-lookers come because of all the traffic.” Using U.S. Route 19, locals can access Atlanta in about 70 miles. U.S. Interstate 575 leads to Marietta in about 55 miles.