Morganton’s nature-filled landscape in Appalachia is by Blue Ridge
Amidst the Appalachian Mountains and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Morganton is an expansive community that borders Blue Ridge. “An address in Morganton could be 30 minutes from Blue Ridge, or it could be 5 minutes from Blue Ridge,” says Audrey Whitehead, Realtor with Blue Ridge Realty. “It’s a big area to cover, but there are a lot of opportunities to purchase a home close in or as far out as they want to be.” Most residents enjoy the area’s natural beauty throughout the year, including Lake Blue Ridge, although there are some vacation homes. Besides one restaurant, a Dollar General and a gas station, people travel into the city for shopping and dining. There are a lot of churches in the area.
Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest spans nearly 867,000 acres, with almost 850 miles of trails, including the start of the Appalachian Trail. Besides hiking, visitors can also hunt, fish, bike and go off-roading. Lake Blue Ridge is one of many lakes in the forest, with a surface area of almost 3,200 acres. “A lot of the lake is in the national forest, and that’s what makes it so clean,” Whitehead says. Morganton Point is the only developed campsite along the shore and has a public beach. Swimming, boating and fishing are just some of the available activities. There are also kayaks and paddleboards available for rent. People can drive decommissioned tanks and excavators at Tank Town USA for a different type of activity.
A wide range of homes includes large lakefront cabins and ranch styles
The Appalachian Mountains fill Morganton's skyline. Some homes feature an abundance of windows, balconies and porches, offering ample opportunities to take in views of the national forest or Lake Blue Ridge. The oldest homes date back to 1950, although several properties were built after 2020. Ranch styles are common, as are cabins and traditional and modern houses. Single-family homes generally range from $200,000 to $950,000, with a median price of $650,000, depending on size and condition. Larger properties, especially those near the lake, can cost as much as $1 million to $4 million. “There’s a lot of big homes on the lake, expensive homes,” Whitehead says. Manufactured and mobile houses typically sell between $230,000 and $330,000. Land is also available, especially in the northern part of the region.
Fannin public schools and nearby private schools serve the area
Morganton is part of the Fannin County School District. East Fannin Elementary School, Fannin County Middle School and Fannin County High School all receive a B from Niche. While in high school, students can enroll in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education. Courses range from forestry and animal science to carpentry and sports medicine. Private schools in the area include the B-plus-rated Mountain Area Christian Academy.
Residents rely on cars to travel between Morganton and Blue Ridge
State Route 60 goes through the area, intersecting with U.S. Route 76 and leading about 6 miles to Blue Ridge. “It’s an easy drive back into town,” Whitehead says. The closest emergency room is at the Fannin Regional Hospital Department, about 10 miles from the center of Morganton. Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is about 80 miles away, although residents will also travel about 110 miles to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Morganton's small commercial scene is supported by Blue Ridge
Within Morganton, residents have a limited selection of shopping and dining options. Besides Dollar General, Whitehead says, “The only things in Morganton are a gas station and a barbecue restaurant.” Besides having traditional barbecue fare, Mike’s Trackside BBQ has daily specials like Friday Fish Fry. Cucina Rustica is a fine-dining Italian restaurant along U.S. Route 76. Otherwise, folks travel to Blue Ridge, where local favorites include Circle J Family Steakhouse and Pete’s Restaurant. “That’s basically where the locals go because it’s homestyle cooking,” Whitehead says. Ingles Market is one of the grocery options in the city. There is also Walmart and Home Depot in Blue Ridge.
