Media contact: Marty Williams, Vice President/Tourism
Email: m.williams@dawson.org
P: 706-265-6278
F: 706-265-6279
P. O. Box 299
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Community Snapshot:
Hike, shop, fish, canoe and commune with the kangaroos where the mountains meet the lakes: Dawsonville-Dawson County is located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains, edging Lake Lanier and at the trailhead of the Appalachian Trail. The highest falls east of the Mississippi at Amicalola Falls and the largest kangaroo conservation habitat outside Australia are here, along with outlet shopping and folk art gallery hopping. Lodging choices include full-service mountain resorts and brand name chain hotels.
Top 2 Festivals:
Spring Fling, early May, www.dawsonarts.org/festival.htm
Moonshine Festival, late October, www.dawson.org
Fingertip Facts:
- Dawsonville was established in 1829
- Located 50 minutes north of Atlanta
- At 729-feet, the cascading Amicalola Falls is the tallest east of the Mississippi River
- The 8.5 mile approach trail leads to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail
Services offered to media:
Familiarization Tours
Press Releases
Interviews
Image Library
STORY IDEAS
Dawson County a family adventure
Adventure-loving families find all the action they can handle in Dawsonville-Dawson County. Located in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains and edging Lake Lanier and the Appalachian Trail, families can play together in the Great Outdoors, hiking the trails and to the falls, horseback riding in the mountains, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. They can learn about stock car racing and drive-in movie days at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, get lost in the labyrinth that is Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze; go on a quest to blow their mad money at the North Georgia Premium Outlet Malls, home of 140 brand name stores and a children’s playground; and enjoy the famous Bully Burgers at the Dawsonville Pool Room.
Outdoor lovers say “ahh” in Dawson County
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts find plenty to fill their time, their cameras and the “ahh” factor in Dawson County: the highest falls east of the Mississippi at Amicalola Falls-all 729 feet splashing down the mountain and into the river below; the “Edge of the World” at Amicalola River, the Class IV whitewater rapids on the Amicalola River Trail-and a fine place to pack a picnic lunch to share atop the rocks on the shoals; the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, beginning the 78-mile Georgia portion of the famed trail that wends all the way to Maine. With acres of forest, layers of mountains, two rivers and a lake, Dawsonville has horseback riding and mountain biking, miles of hiking trails, fishing and angling, a wildlife preserve and places for canoeing and kayaking whose scenic splendor equals the rush of the waters.
Destination: Surprise
Three hundred bouncing kangaroos at the Kangaroo Conservation Center, the largest kangaroo conservation habitat outside Australia. Two hundred working folk artists (folk potters, painters, woodcarvers, metal sculptors and fiber artists) at Around Back at Rocky’s Place. One hundred forty name brand bargain opportunities at the North Georgia Premium Outlet Malls. Dawson County attractions are nothing if not unusual, exciting and seemingly on a grand scale. Other unexpected delights: Amicalola Falls, the highest falls east of the Mississippi; the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame; and three full-service mountain retreats-Amicalola State Park and Lodge, Forrest Hills Mountain Resort & Spa and the green-minded Len Foote Hike Inn-ideal for family vacations, romantic interludes, group gatherings and more.