Alpine character and recreation options attract residents to Dillard
In the extreme northeast corner of Georgia, Dillard sits among swaths of untouched Appalachian forest. Homes are scattered among the mountainous landscape, with residents enjoying the recreation — and isolation — that the wilderness provides. “Over 60% of Rabun County is National Forest Service land, so we’re definitely insulated from that perspective,” says Sarah Gillespie, a real estate advisor with Mountain Sotheby’s International Realty, who grew up in Rabun County. “We’re surrounded by natural beauty. It’s a wonderful place if you’re an outdoor enthusiast to go hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, white water rafting, kayaking. Pretty much any kind of outdoor activity you enjoy, this is certainly the place for that.” The community of Dillard, which comprises both its namesake town as well as the town of Sky Valley, attracts residents with alpine character, recreation options and a small commercial strip.
Golfing, hiking and hunting in the Appalachian Mountains
Dillard’s mountainous location makes it a hotspot for recreation in Northeast Georgia. While the Sky Valley Country Club development once had ski slopes, the community is today built around its golf course. “Sky Valley is its own municipality,” Gillespie says. “They formed their own city government. It’s still a golfing community. It’s the town that’s at the highest elevation in Georgia.” Meanwhile, the Chattahoochee National Forest offers plenty of recreation opportunities, especially on the eastern end of Dillard. Campsites and hiking trails abound, including a path to the peak of Rabun Bald, the second-highest mountain peak in Georgia. Visitors can also go fishing and hunting on Forest Service land.
Mountain cabins and estates in town and Sky Valley
The area’s residential roads weave along the mountains, elevated from the valleys where the main roads run. While some homes in the community center around the town of Dillard, many more are located within the Sky Valley development. Smaller ranch-style homes and cabins tend to cost between $230,000 and $330,000. Larger homes, sometimes with Craftsman touches, can go from $400,000 to $650,000. Luxurious mountain estates tend to go between $850,000 and $1.3 million.
Restaurants and shops around U.S. Highway 441
Many of Dillard’s businesses, including several restaurants, sit around U.S. Highway 441. Valley Cafe is a local favorite, with a diner-style menu featuring a three-quarter-pound burger. Just down the road, Blue Hound Barbecue offers smoked meats and sandwiches. But the most well-known spot is The Dillard House, a hotel and restaurant that serves Southern specialties in a famous family-style setting. The property is still open but is undergoing renovations to update the hotel and restaurant. Ace Hardware and Dollar General sit along the highway, but the community is known for its unique antique shops. “Dillard does have more of a commercial sector with restaurants and little shops,” Gillespie says. “It’s actually a destination for the little antique dealers there. For people that are into antiquing, it’s always been known as a destination for that.” The nearest grocery store to Dillard is 7 miles south in Clayton.
Rabun County Schools serves Dillard students
Rabun County Schools serves Dillard. Students can start at Rabun County Primary for kindergarten through second grade, followed by Rabun County Elementary for third through sixth grade. Both schools receive a B-plus rating from Niche. Rabun County Middle receives an A-minus, while Rabun County High receives a B-plus. The high school offers a handful of Advanced Placement courses, with the classes counting toward eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship program, which rewards students who pursue a rigorous course of study. The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, a well-regarded K-12 boarding school, is just outside Dillard and receives an A-plus from Niche.
Easy drives into North and South Carolina
Dillard is located on the Georgia side of the state's border with North Carolina. U.S. Highway 441 is the main route through the community, heading across the border or the opposite direction toward larger cities like Athens or Atlanta. The state of South Carolina is also nearby, with the state line roughly 15 miles away. Most locals get around via car, but Rabun County’s Dial-A-Ride Program allows residents to schedule rides within the county and to several other destinations. Asheville Regional Airport is 85 miles away and offers the nearest commercial flights, with roughly 25 nonstop destinations. The Mountain Lakes Medical Center has the closest emergency room, about 5 miles south.
Community events in Sky Valley and nearby Clayton
Community events in Dillard are mostly centered in the Sky Valley development. Celebrations include a Fourth of July parade and fireworks, plus a fall festival with live music, food vendors and hayrides. Otherwise, residents head to nearby Clayton for events, such as June's Ramshackle Street Festival featuring concerts in the town’s streets.
