Where this is: Ellijay, Georgia, the county seat of Gilmer County in the north Georgia mountains. It is not East Ellijay, a separate city next door, and many businesses with an “Ellijay” mailing address sit in East Ellijay or unincorporated Gilmer County. We label which is which.
Which Ellijay outing fits you?
Five quick questions. You get one pick and two backups, with fee, hours and trail facts from the City of Ellijay, Georgia State Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Gilmer Chamber.
The outings it chooses from
- The square and River Street on foot: The 1833 town plan laid out a public square; today the replica-style Gilmer County Courthouse at 1 Broad St. stands on the site of the 1898 Hyatt Hotel courthouse.
- Tabor House History Museum: The Gilmer County Historical Society's museum, one block off the square.
- Gilmer Arts Gallery and Playhouse: The county arts center's gallery at 207 Dalton St. and its playhouse at 135 Dalton St., both downtown.
- Harrison Park: A 25.94-acre city park honoring Gilmer County veterans, on the former Pinson family farm.
- Tubing and kayaking the Cartecay River: Ellijay sits where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers join to form the Coosawattee; an outfitter rents tubes and kayaks on the Cartecay in summer.
- Apple orchards on Highway 52: Gilmer County harvests over 22 apple varieties from June through November; Hillcrest, B.J. Reece and R and A orchards sit on Hwy 52.
Closed or seasonal right now
- Cartecay River Experience (tubing and kayaks) opens only Memorial Day to Labor Day (the outfitter).
- Harris Branch beach at Carters Lake is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day only (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
- Tabor House History Museum is open mid-March through mid-December only (Gilmer County Historical Society).
- The Ellijay Farmers & Artisans Market has no published 2026 or 2027 season; the last schedule the city posted was for 2023 (City of Ellijay).
About an hour, downtown
- The square and River Street: the 1833 town plan, the courthouse story and the shops (City of Ellijay).
- Gilmer Arts Gallery, 207 Dalton St., open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM (Gilmer Arts).
- Tabor House History Museum, 138 Spring St., one block off the square: Thursdays, Fridays and the first four Saturdays of the month, 11 AM to 3 PM, in season (Historical Society).
Two to three hours
- Apple orchards (June to November): the Chamber says Gilmer County harvests over 22 varieties in that window (Gilmer Chamber). Red Apple Barn posts picking hours (Red Apple Barn), and R and A Orchards says its market, bakery and cafe are open all year (R and A Orchards). These are outside the city.
- The rivers: the Ellijay and Cartecay join in town to form the Coosawattee (City of Ellijay).
- Harrison Park: a 25.94-acre city park honoring Gilmer County veterans (City of Ellijay).
Half a day or more
- Carters Lake: 3,200 acres and the deepest of Georgia’s reservoir lakes, with trails from 0.35 mile to about 6 miles (USACE).
- Fort Mountain State Park, in Murray County: an ancient stone wall and 60 miles of trails (Georgia State Parks).
Cloudy or rainy day
Stay downtown: the gallery, the museum, the antiques shops on North Main and the square, and an evening show at the Gilmer Arts Playhouse if one is on the calendar. On the third Friday of the month, Gilmer Arts hosts the free Acoustic Blends music night (Gilmer Chamber).
Questions people ask
Where is the Tabor House History Museum?
At 138 Spring Street, one block off the square. It is open mid-March to mid-December, 11 AM to 3 PM on Thursdays, Fridays and the first four Saturdays of the month. Phone 706-276-1861.
Source: Gilmer County Historical Society
Is Cartecay River tubing open in the fall?
No. Cartecay River Experience is open Memorial Day to Labor Day only.
Source: Cartecay River Experience
What are Gilmer Arts' hours?
Gilmer Arts lists Tuesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Phone (706) 635-5605.
Source: Gilmer Arts
Where are the Gilmer Arts gallery and playhouse?
The George Link Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse is at 135 Dalton St. and the Gilmer Arts Gallery at 207 Dalton St., both downtown.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
Is there free live music downtown?
Yes. Gilmer Arts hosts Acoustic Blends, a free open music forum, on the third Friday of every month at the Playhouse, 135 Dalton St.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
When can you pick apples near Ellijay?
The Chamber says Gilmer County harvests over 22 varieties from June through November. Each orchard sets its own picking days and hours, so check before you drive out.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
What are Red Apple Barn's hours?
The farm market is open Monday to Saturday 9 to 6 and Sunday 1 to 5:30. Apple picking is Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 1 to 4 and Monday to Friday 11 to 3. It is at 3379 Tails Creek Rd.
Source: Red Apple Barn
Is R and A Orchards open all year?
R and A Orchards says its market, bakery and cafe are open year-round.
Source: R and A Orchards
What is Harrison Park?
A 25.94-acre city park dedicated to Gilmer County residents who served in the armed forces, on the former Pinson family farm with a circa-1940 barn and corn crib.
Source: City of Ellijay
Is there a bike shop downtown?
Yes. Cartecay Bike Shop Brewery at 493 North Main St. offers repairs, gear, Saturday social rides and mountain-bike classes.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
How much does Carters Lake cost?
Most day-use areas charge $5.00 per vehicle, paid by credit or debit card only at automated machines.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
What trails are at Carters Lake?
The Ridgeway mountain bike loop (about 6 miles), the 4-mile Amadahy Trail at Woodring Branch, and the 0.35-mile Tumbling Waters Nature Trail. ATVs are banned on all trails.
Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Is Fort Mountain State Park in Gilmer County?
No. It is in Murray County, at 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth. It has an ancient stone wall and 60 miles of trails.
Source: Georgia State Parks
Dates, hours and fees change. For anything official, the city has the final word: City of Ellijay official site
