The Paleo tribe of the Blue Ridge Mountains once called Big Canoe “The Enchanted Land.” Centuries later, the nickname holds up, and that land is now part nature reserve, part mountain retreat. About two-thirds of residents live there full-time, while others come up for the weekend. Whether they are there year-round or just a few days a month, anyone who enters the front gates at Big Canoe gets to enjoy sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains and private hiking, fishing and golfing. “Big Canoe shines even on a rainy day,” says Charles Vecchio, a Realtor with Century 21 Results who has lived in the community for 17 years and is nicknamed “the Mayor of Big Canoe.” “It’s like a sanctuary, and it’s got something for everyone.”
Hiking, golfing, fishing and more in the Blue Ridge Mountains
In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there is always a way to enjoy the great outdoors. Local volunteers maintain over 20 trails ranging in length and skill level. Causal explorers can hike the wildflower-covered McDaniels Meadows Park Trails, advanced hikers can venture through the challenging Nancy Womack Trail, and those with four-wheel drive can race through the Upper or Lower Jeep Trails. Big Canoe also has three on-site lakes. Lake Petit has a marina and is stocked with rainbow trout all year for fishing, and Lake Disharoon and Lake Sconti are both popular for swimming and boating. The Mountain Golf Course has 27 holes through hills and valleys, and the Racquet Club operates 18 tennis and pickleball courts. The Wildcat Recreation Center, Big Canoe Chapel and over 50 clubs round out the many recreation and social offerings. “If you want to be a hermit in the mountains, you can,” says Maggie Hosmer, a Realtor with Harry Norman Realtors who has lived in Big Canoe for 16 years. “If you want to be social, we have clubs and a beautiful church to join.”
Reservation-only dining at Home Restaurant
Big Canoe residents don’t have to leave the front gates to grab dinner, thanks to the Mountains Grill on Lake Sconti. Outside the gates, Home Restaurant on Steve Tate Highway is less than a mile from the Wildcat Recreation Center. The restaurant is reservation-only and open for dinner between Tuesday and Friday. On these select nights, Home serves a rotating selection of small plates and entrees made of local ingredients. Lucky Hare, next to Home, also has limited hours. It is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, with a small tasting menu and an extensive wine list. North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall on Georgia Highway 400 (GA-400) is 22 miles away. The mall has dozens of clothing shops and grocery stores like Ingles Market and Publix.
Big Canoe’s cabins in the mountains
The community has homes for both full-time residents and visitors. One-story, circular cabins with wrap-around porches are popular with weekenders and sell for $300,000 to $400,000. Larger cabins between 2,000 and 4,000 square feet often have distinctive features, like tall A-frame shapes or real logs lining the outside. These properties are typically $400,000 to $700,000. Custom homes also fill Big Canoe, usually mixing modern features like asymmetric roofs with rustic stone and wood exteriors. A newer single-family home can cost $700,000 to $900,000, while larger, private estates overlooking the golf course or the mountains are $1 million to $2 million. Big Canoe’s subdivisions are private and built into hills and thick trees. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4. “I just left for 10 days, and my doors were unlocked; it’s that safe,” Vecchio says.
Atlanta commuters take Interstates 75 and 575
While Big Canoe is outside city life, weekenders and full-time commuters frequently drive the 68 miles into Atlanta. GA-400 connects to I-75 and I-575 to go into downtown. “People will still commute because they want to drive to work on a beautiful back road instead of sitting in Atlanta traffic,” Hosmer says. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is 70 miles away, and Big Canoe is within 20 miles of healthcare at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper.
Split between Pickens Schools and Dawson Schools
The community is in two public school districts. Pickens County School District serves the west side. Tate Elementary School, Jasper Middle School for grades 5 through 6, Pickens County Middle School for grades 7 through 8, and Pickens High School all earn B scores on Niche. Pickens High School focuses on fine arts, including visual art, dance and playwriting programs. Families on the east side can send their children to Dawson County School District. Robinson Elementary School and Dawson County Junior High School, for grades 8 through 9, have B scores, Dawson County Middle School for grades 6 through 7 has a B-plus grade, and Dawson County High School has a B-minus. Dawson Schools’ band, chorus, and theater programs are all hosted inside the district’s 1,000-person capacity venue. The University of North Georgia, one of six major military colleges in the country, is about 25 miles away.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Big Canoe
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Big Canoe Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Big Canoe, Jasper sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Big Canoe, Jasper over the last 12 months is $615,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked within the prestigious Wildcat neighborhood, this custom-crafted retreat blends timeless architecture with breathtaking mountain views—recently enhanced by selective vista pruning. Positioned on a level, professionally landscaped 1+ acre lot along Bluestern Drive, this home combines serene privacy with easy access to Big Canoe’s North Gate and scenic Wildcat trails.A stone walkway
Private Log Home Retreat – Ideal for Second Home or Investment in Big Canoe.Tucked away on a serene, streamside lot, this handcrafted Tennessee log home is a turnkey escape with rare investor appeal. Whether you're seeking a peaceful second home or a high-demand short-term rental, this property checks all the boxes for quality, character, and location.Crafted with enduring 6"x8" white
Priced to sell...Great 1.4 acre Big Canoe lot near the marina with potential lake and mountain views. The community has all the amenities you could want including golf, tennis, fitness center, boating, hiking, swimming pools, full clubhouse and restaurant and miles of hiking trails. Come and build your dream house in Big Canoe and enjoy the casual North Georgia Mountains Lifestyle.
Escape to Elegance in the Mountains of Big CanoeTucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in the coveted Wildcat neighborhood, this mountain retreat feels like it was made for your next chapter. Whether you're retiring into peace and privacy or seeking a weekend haven to recharge, this 4+ bedroom, 6-bath estate welcomes you with warmth, craftsmanship, and comfort in every detail.From the
If you are looking for a lot with beautiful with long-range mountain views this 3.28 acre lot offers fabulous views of Amicalola Falls the tallest falls east of the Mississippi. You will also have the sound of a mountain stream that runs along the side of the lot. The lot is protected by community green space on two sides, offering a private location for your new home. A site survey with a
REALLY BIG LONG-RANGE VIEWS! See the Atlanta Skyline from this beautiful home at the top of Big Canoe, located near the trail heads of some of the best hiking in the community. Live a casual lifestyle in this craftsman designed home and with the option to purchase it fully furnished, you can use it right away and start enjoying mountain living at its best. The home has beautiful vaulted wood
Welcome to 362 Sanderlin Mountain Drive - where mountain living feels both refined and effortless. Set against sweeping North Georgia mountain views, this thoughtfully maintained home offers the rare combination of privacy, comfort, and timeless design. From the circular drive to the stone walkways and gentle sounds of the water feature, the home immediately sets a tone of quiet elegance. Inside,
Escape to the serenity of Big Canoe! This prime residential lot offers the perfect blend of privacy and potential--perched for stunning mountain views. Build your dream retreat in this coveted gated community with top-tier amenities. It is 5 minutes from the North Gate entrance. Big Canoe is an 8,000 acre gated community in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Level 3 soil test and survey
Imagine living in the picturesque North Georgia mountains right by Big Canoe in the beautiful Village on Blackwell Creek in this fabulous home. This Farmhouse inspired design is located on a large private lot & includes 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, a den/office, a spacious open floor plan with beautiful kitchen, dining and great room with a gas fireplace & comes with a spacious elevator! This home
Once upon a time in beautiful North Georgia, under the biggest, sunniest, bluest sky you ever saw, there is the most charming, unique, cabin, Georgia's Hideaway, waiting for you.This special place is blessed with a lovely view of lake and woodlands, under tranquil trees, you are sure to spot a deer, turkey, woodpeckers or more, maybe an elusive bear, if they are not already bedded down for the
This furnished luxury home is one of the BEST PANORAMIC VIEWS IN BIG CANOE! Mountains, Lake Petit and even a partial Atlanta skyline! This is a magnificent home with a stunning chef's kitchen, a private owner's suite, a huge sunroom, a party space with hot tub and multiple decks, a private game room and so much more. You can live in luxury without the hassle of home ownership with this rare gem
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