Fall Getaway: Escape the Crowds in Northwest Georgia

Easy day trip or weekend getaway 2 hours from Atlanta

When people think of fall travel destinations in Georgia, the North Georgia mountains often come to mind. But, there are other areas in the state that are equally beautiful this time of year and can be a little less crowded, like northwest Georgia's Dade County!

Dade County is perhaps best known as the home of Cloudland Canyon State Park, with its stunning views, trails and waterfalls. But this area offers so much more you might not even know about! On a recent trip, we experienced everything from lunch at a luxury resort to picking wildflowers at a family farm. And, at just about 2 hours from Atlanta, Dade County makes an easy day trip or overnight getaway.

Disclosure: This content was created in partnership with Alliance for Dade. As always all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting this page! 

DAY ONE

Stop 1: Drink Coffee on an Alpaca Farm

I had seen the adorable Rosie Mae's Alpaca Farm on social media, and was looking forward to experiencing it in person. The alpacas were even cuter than I imagined and the place was jumping with activity! This is a popular spot and there were lots of families enjoying the large grassy area, picnic tables, games and of course feeding the alpacas (feed is $2/bag).

At the heart of the farm sits a small café, with porch seating outside and a thoughtfully curated boutique inside selling an array of items including, of course, alpaca-themed ones. Coffee and baked goods are available for purchase ranging from $1 - $5. There are also bunnies on the farm near the back by the barn area.

Stop 2: Do a Little Shopping

Next, I did a little shopping in downtown Trenton, visiting Trenton Mercantile, The Shop on Main and also McBride's Bookstore with its large collection of used books and cozy atmosphere.

I also stopped by Lookout Mountain Pottery in nearby Rising Fawn. It was closed during my visit but the shop doors were open with a sign encouraging me to shop and leave money in the jar for any purchases I wanted to make.

Stop 3: Eat Lunch in the Clouds

One of the main attractions on my itinerary was the new McLemore Resort, located right on the cliffside of Lookout Mountain. Opened earlier this year, the resort boasts several restaurants, a stunning infinity-edge pool with breathtaking views, and a luxurious spa that I look forward to visiting soon.

I had lunch at The Creag, but there are multiple dining options available.  Parking is limited so valet services is recommend for those dining at the main resort, but the views are well worth the effort.

Stop 4: Stay in a Real Treehouse

With my belly full it was time to check into my lodging for the night at Whippoorwill Retreat. I have stayed in treehouse-style accommodations before, but this was unlike anything I had experienced, it's a real treehouse and it felt so magical! The treehouse is only accessible via a winding path, and guests are provided with a private golf cart to reach it (no car access). The path was lined with fairy lights, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

Upon entering the house, the first thing I noticed (besides the exposed tree trunks protected by plexiglass) was the welcome basket filled with goodies.  The basket is provided to all guests and the host thoughtfully inquires about preferences (wine or water) beforehand, making it a lovely personal touch. The entire home is filled with everything you need, from a complete spa basket with chocolates to enjoy in the outdoor bathtubs, to board games and a full coffee bar.

The treehouse itself had two levels and truly felt like a home, with balconies, patios, swing bridges, and even an outdoor fireplace. Trust me, you will not want to leave once you arrive! Everything is run electronically via Alexa,  so you are able to control the lights and fill the outdoor tubs while you lounge on the deck of the treehouse. In addition to the house itself, there are several outdoor areas for gathering, which would make this a magical place to host an intimate wedding.

Side note — if you go during wildflower season you can pick flowers in their large flower field!

DAY TWO

Stop 1: Fuel up with a Zombie Brew

I stopped at ZaBrew coffee in downtown Trenton and I am so glad I did.  Cold brew is their specialty and it was some of the BEST I’ve ever had.  If you go, make sure to ask them about their zombie origin story — it’s more cute than scary.

Stop 2: Pick Wildflowers

My first stop after morning coffee was Fox Mountain Farms in Rising Fawn. The farm is absolutely beautiful with an incredible variety of wildflowers. The owners are the sweetest family, and it's very kid and pet-friendly, with a large shaded pavilion and areas (like a huge sandbox) for children to play.

They gave me a large bucket and told me to fill it up, which cost $30. I packed that bucket to the brim, and they said I could have easily fit twice as many flowers in there! I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Later that day, I carefully buckled the full bucket into my car and drove three hours home. The flowers are still sitting on my counter, looking as beautiful as ever. Don't miss this stop - the wildflowers will be available to pick until the first freeze, usually sometime in October. After that, they'll have pumpkins available.

Stop 3: Enjoy the view and hike to a waterfall

Believe it or not, after over a decade of exploring Georgia this was my first visit to a Cloudland Canyon State Park and I can't believe it took me so long to get here. Even if you only have time to visit the main overlook, which is a very short walk from the parking lot, I encourage you to do it. If you have more time, there are numerous trail options — I chose the waterfall trail to Cherokee Falls. Though the falls weren't flowing heavily due to dry weather, the scenery was still absolutely beautiful. The entire hike took me less than an hour, with some stairs, but it's overall a pretty moderate and easy trail. I highly recommend making the trip to this stunning state park.

Stop 3: Grab a bite in town

I was hungry after a full day of exploring, so I stopped by Corner Coffee, a cute little cafe right in the Trenton town square, for a panini sandwich before heading off to my last stop of the day.

Stop 4: Soar through the Clouds

Years ago, I had the chance to go hang gliding and I absolutely plan on doing it again. And when I do, it will be at the Lookout Mountain Flight Park because the view is incredible!  Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating during my visit, but I still enjoyed the view and meeting the fliers and instructors. No prior experience is required for a tandem flight - you simply need to call ahead and confirm the weather and wind conditions are suitable before your scheduled time. I can't wait to return for another opportunity to fly.

If you're looking for a fun and unique fall getaway in Georgia, make sure to add this area to your list!

Visit Alliance for Dade for upcoming events and more.

Thank you again Alliance for Dade for sponsoring this trip and supporting this page!

xoKerry