Towns County is the gateway to Lake Chatuge and the North Georgia mountains, based in Hiawassee, Georgia and serving as the county’s official tourism resource for visitors planning a mountain or lake getaway. Rather than a rental company or marina, Towns County operates as a visitor’s bureau, helping travelers discover the outdoor recreation, dining, shopping, and lodging options spread across the county’s three communities: Hiawassee, Young Harris, and Tate City.
Lake Chatuge sits at the heart of the region’s appeal, offering boating, fishing, and lake excursions against a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiawassee, the county seat, sits directly on the lake and serves as the main jumping-off point for water-based activities, while Young Harris brings a vibrant arts scene and is home to Young Harris College, adding cultural depth to the area’s natural beauty. Tate City offers a quieter, more secluded option for visitors looking for a peaceful retreat away from the more developed parts of the county.
Beyond the lake, Towns County connects visitors to hiking on the Appalachian Trail, scenic overlooks at Brasstown Bald, and waterfall viewing at High Shoals Falls, along with Hamilton Gardens and other outdoor destinations throughout the region. The tourism office also maintains listings for local shopping, dining, and lodging, making it a useful starting point for planning a full mountain vacation rather than a single activity.
For boaters specifically, Towns County’s role is informational rather than transactional: the tourism bureau helps visitors find their way to Lake Chatuge and the marinas, rental outfits, and access points along its shoreline, rather than operating boats or rentals itself. Its website and visitor resources are best used as a planning tool for discovering what’s available around the lake and throughout the surrounding mountains.
Whether the plan is a lake day on Chatuge, a hike along the Appalachian Trail, or a quiet weekend in Tate City, Towns County offers a central resource for exploring everything the North Georgia mountains have to offer.
