In Union, waterscapes, trails, and tangible traces of regional history offer a range of discoveries. The origins of Lake Nottely can be placed in historical context: it was created in 1942 by damming the Nottely River. A swimming beach and the Nottely Reservoir Trail add to the lakeside experience; the Nottely Reservoir has a reported shoreline of 106 miles.
Experience Trails and Water
The Nottely Reservoir Trail runs for 1.7 miles along the shore of Lake Nottely. Two parking lots provide access; they are about half a mile from Nottely Dam. This makes the trail an option for a hike in its own right, while the swimming beach offers a different way to enjoy the lake. The trails in Meeks Park total 4.62 miles. Meeks Park 2 also has a launch area for canoes and kayaks.
The activities at Vogel State Park offer a variety of experiences, too: the park sits at the foot of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Its 22-acre lake is open to non-motorized boats, and the Bear Hair Gap Loop is 4 miles long. The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum in the park is open seasonally; check opening hours before your visit.
Near Blairsville, the easy Helton Creek Falls Trail is a 0.3-mile round trip leading to two large waterfalls and a swimming area. For a longer hike, the Appalachian Trail is another option: it is accessible at several points within Union County. In the Blairsville area, it runs for 80 miles through the Chattahoochee National Forest. These different trail lengths and types give you specific reference points for choosing hikes that fit your schedule.
The Poteete Creek Recreation Area offers additional ways to enjoy the water, including a boat ramp, a swimming beach, and fishing opportunities. These details describe different places and activities; they do not form a designated loop. You can plan around your interests in water, hiking, or both, without treating the individual destinations as one connected route.
History and Cultural Traces
The historic Union County Courthouse was built in 1899. The building houses the Old Courthouse Museum, with exhibits and information about the history of Union County. The Mountain Life Museum consists of several historic buildings and is located at 25 Veteran's Memorial Drive. Each place brings regional history to life in a different way: through exhibits at the courthouse and historic buildings at the museum.
At Track Rock Gap, six table-sized soapstone blocks bear hundreds of carved or pecked symbols. The size of the blocks and the many markings make this a distinctive cultural destination. At the Reece Farm & Heritage Center, a winding path connects a barn with an educational walking tour of the grounds. The Poetry Trail Garden at Reece Heritage Farm highlights poems by Byron Herbert Reece about the four seasons.
Local Produce and Events
From June through October, the Union County Farmers Market is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It offers local produce and handmade products. Because seasonal hours may change, check the date before traveling.
At the Sorghum in the Mountains Festival in Meeks Park in Blairsville, you can watch sorghum syrup being made. The Mountain Heritage Festival in Blairsville showcases collections of products from the mountain region over Labor Day weekend in September. The two events offer different perspectives: one on making syrup, the other on products from the mountain region. Check the dates for each event before your trip.
Practical Information
Union County Transportation offers rides within Union County by appointment; booking in advance is recommended. If you’re planning an overnight stay in Union, you can use the different hiking, water, and cultural themes as a basis for deciding what you’d like to experience during your visit.
Discover more destinations: Blairsville, Bryan, Laurens County, Murray County, Henry, Bartow, Lumpkin County, Mcintosh.
For the main travel overview: Georgia.
