Copperhill Country Cabins
Area Attractions
Area Tourist Boards
TriCities Business Association (423) 496 -5225.
Polk County - Copper
Basin Chamber of Commerce (877) 790-2157 or (423) 496 -9000.
Fannin County Chamber of Commerce
(800) 899-MTNS or (706) 632 -5680.
Appalachian Gateway Group
Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association
(423) 263-7232
Cherokee National Forest
(423) 338-5201
Ocoee Whitewater Center
(423) 496-5197
Area Attractions
Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River
The Ocoee River is Dam controlled. Recreational Water Release Schedules for both Dam # 2 (which controls the middle river used for most rafting) and Dam #3 (which controls water in the upper Ocoee including the 1996 Olympic course and the Whitewater Center) are available at the
Ocoee Whitewater Center
or by calling (423) 496 -5197.
For info on escorted rafting trips please see our
Rafting Page.
Availability is limited, particularly on the upper Olympic course.
Please check & make sure that your rafting plans match the water release schedule.
(Note - TN law requires that children rafting the middle & upper Ocoee River be 12 years of age or older. For younger children we suggest tubing on the Toccoa or Hiawassee Rivers instead)
The Ocoee Whitewater Center
The Ocoee Whitewater Center is the site
of the 1996 Olympic rafting events & is located on Route 64 aproximately 3 miles from the eastern boundry of the
Cherokee National Forest. (Less than a 10 minute drive from our cabins.) They offer a staffed welcome & information
center, a gift shop, picnic areas, and a number of hiking & biking trails for your enjoyment. On days when the water
is not running we suggest you dress the kids in their swimsuits, pack a picnic lunch & everybody go splash in the
pools & tiny waterfalls left in the bed of the Ocoee River. (There is a $3 per car daily parking fee which goes to support the upkeep of the Cherokee National Forest)
Historic Train Rides
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Reminiscent scenic excursions for those old enough to remember and a totally new experience for those too young.
Weekends - February thru December, Daily in October. Trains depart from the original Blue Ridge, Ga Train Depot
and travel to Copperhill/McCaysville, where they stop for two hours, allowing you time to explore, shop or enjoy
a leisurely lunch before the return leg of the trip. 26 mile trip takes aprox. 3 and a half hours total.
Reservations are recommended. Call 1-800-934-1891 or (706) 632-9833
Hiwassee River Rail Adventures
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum operates the regions newest rail excursion. Railroad Buffs will love this trip thru
the scenic Hiwassee Gorge to the Historic Bald Mountain Loop. Most excursions start at Gee Creek State Park in Delano, TN and
travel to the loop, then return to the starting point. But some trips in 2007 will travel all the way to Copperhill
for an hour and a half layover. Plans call for a number of special trips this year, including a trip from Gee Creek all the
way to Blue Ridge, Ga. Reservations are required. Check the Tennessee Valley Railroad Website, or call 423-894-8028 for schedules
more information.
Horseback Riding
Blanche Manor
181 Deal Hollow Road, Copperhill, TN (Blanche Manor is located just up the road, less than five minutes from
our cabins). They offer an hour and a quarter or a two hour trail ride. Both wind up the mountains to a
spectacular view of Big Frog Mountain & the Ocoee River below. Peggy specializes in young riders & offers
tandem saddles if desired. For large groups they also offer an evening hay ride thru the apple orchard which
includes a stop to build a bonfire & cook your meal for you. (This is usually simple fare - Chili & Cornbread
or Shepard's Pie, etc. Live bluegrass music can also be arranged. Costs for the hayride are $25 per adult &
$15 per child which includes the meal.) Reservations are required. Call (423) 496-1060 for reservations.
Adventure Trail Rides
Blue Ridge, GA (706) 258-BARN
Cross creeks & streams as you encounter spectacular mountain views - See three states at the top of Granny
Callihan Mountain. Gallop through a field at the foot of Sam Callihan Mountain. Offers 3 trails from beginner
to experienced. 7 days a week, By appointment only.
The Eagle Ranch on Ice Mountain
Copperhill, TN 800-288-3245
Muletop Mountain Outfitters
319 Hells Hollow Road, McCaysville, GA (706) 632-0076 or (706) 632-0075 for reservations.
Mountain Biking
Tsali Recreational Area Brochure
(Adobe Acrobat pdf file). If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, get it
here
The Ocoee Adventure Center offers guided & escorted mountain biking tours. Reservations required. Highway 64, 3 miles West of Ducktown. (888) RAFT-OAC or (423) 496-4430
Movies
Swan Drive-in
651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge Ga
Old Fashioned Drive-In theater, open year round, with first run movies. Usually offers double (& sometimes triple!) features on Friday nights. Movies are not always PG rated, so please check the listings (call (888) 469-1955 for movie info) if you're bringing younger children. Grab the pillows & blankets, dress the younger ones in their PJ's and let them discover the fun of a night "out" at the movies the way Mom & Dad (or Grandma & Grandpa) used to do.
If you don't mind powdered sugar all over your car seats - try the funnel cakes!
This is one of the favorite activities for our guests ages 6-12.
Mid-week Weekly Special Events
Saturday Night Auctions
McCaysville Mountain Mall 130 Blue Ridge Drive, McCaysville, GA (706)492-7669.
Antiques to uniques is their motto & they sure live up to it. You never know what you'll find up on the auction block - including the kitchen sink! (stainless steel/double bowl - which sold for $22.50). Preview begins at 4:30 PM. Auction starts promptly at 6 PM. Prospective buyers must register at the front desk & get a bidding number before placing a bid. A 5% Buyers premium will be added to all sales. Snack Bar Available.
Thursday Night Bluegrass Jams
Picking In The Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park McCaysville, GA (423) 496-4653
Enjoy live acoustic music including traditional Appalachian, Bluegrass, Blues and Jazz music every Thursday from 6:00 pm - Dusk during the months of May through September alongside the Toccoa River at Ron Henry-Horseshoe Bend River Park in McCaysville, Georgia. Pickin' in the Park is a series of weekly jam sessions that nurture local acoustic music. Bring your instruments and participate in these weekly jam sessions along the river... or come listen, grill-out and dance!
Weekend Special Events
Blue Ridge Community Theater
Hampton Square, 11 Mountain Street, Blue Ridge, GA (706) 632-9223
The Blue Ridge Community Theater is a true community theater group, made up of local performing arts professionals, amateurs & novices who all volunteer their services to put on some truely enjoyable shows. This intimate theater seats only 132 so you're sure to get a great seat.
The theater offers four main stage productions each year, and other shorter run shows, children's productions
and special performances. Call the Box Office to find out what is currently showing.
Performance times: Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
Individual show tickets are $13.50. Season tickets for all 4 shows are $50.
Our Favorite Rainy Day Activities
We can't tell you it will never rain here during your stay- but we can tell you a couple of ways to spend your time if it happens:
Ducktown Basin Museum
212 Burra Burra Street, Ducktown TN (423) 496-5778 November - April: Mon. - Sat. 9:30-4:00 May-Oct: Mon-Sat. 10:00-4:30 Admission: Adults -$3.00 Seniors-$2.00 Children-$.50
Located on the former Burra Burra Mine site, The Ducktown Basin Museum is dedicated to the history of mining & the chemical industry the Copper Basin. The first mine in the Copper Basin opened in 1850 & the last closed in 1987. The operations were the largest metal mines in the southeastern US and for many years the region's largest employer. Your tour will begin with a short 20 film and be followed by a self-guided tour thru a number of exhibits of ores, photos & artifacts explaining everyday life as a copper miner and the environmental consequences of deforestation. On your way out stop by the observation platform, take in the great view, and see what a difference our reforestation efforts over the past 25 years have made!
Mercier Orchards
8660 Blue Ridge Drive, Blue Ridge, GA (706) 632-3411
In operation since 1943 Mercier Orchards is a family run business that grows over 30 different varieties of apples on 75,000 trees. They have a wonderful large gift shop which sells a variety of fresh picked apples, home-made cider, jams & jellys of all kinds; as well as honey, muffin & pancake mixes & an assortment of gift baskets & boxes that can be shipped to friends & family. They also have a lunch room offering salads & sandwiches & an amazing bakery. (Their peach pie is to die for!)
Fannin Lanes
Valley Village Shopping Center, Blue Ridge, GA (706) 632-2064
Offers bowling for all ages and a large game room. Open 7 days a week and Holidays.
Fitness for The Mind and Body
60 Blueberry Lane, McCaysville GA (706) 455-9799
Opal Petty's fitness studio is located in the Fightingtown Creek area, surrounded by wonderful views of the Cohutta Wilderness. Try working out with their view of the mountains for inspiration. Offers beginning and advanced yoga, weight-training, aerobics & personal training sessions at very reasonable prices.
Dirt Track Auto Racing
Sugar Creek Raceway
2252 Sugar Creek Road, Blue Ridge, GA (706) 632-9083
This 3/8 ths of a mile high banked oval dirt track offers racing excitement every Friday night
(mid-March thru late fall). Look for the #5 "Superman" Car in the Demolition Derby. After 16 years
of faithful service to 3 generations of the Scott family, "Sherman" our old family sedan had a short
second life as a smash'em, crash'em racecar!
Llama Trekking
Mountain ATV Rental and Tours Copperhill, TN (828) 494-7031 or (828) 421-0747
10000 Highway 294, Murphy, NC (828) 494-7855