Georgia Magazine - June 2023 - 23

Among the adventure options at Historic Banning Mills in
Whitesburg are Eco-Spider tours in rugged, four-wheeled, electric
vehicles with spider-like arms that move independently to tackle
tough off -road terrain.
Historic Banning Mills
Active families will love getting in touch with nature at
this adventure resort located less than an hour southwest
of the hustle-and-bustle of Atlanta in historic Snake Creek
Gorge in Whitesburg.
World's longest zip-line canopy tour? Check. World's
tallest free-standing rock wall? Check. Suspension bridges
hovering above forest, lake and gorge? Check, check and
check.
Thrill-seeking families will find plenty to do during their
stay, including zip-lining, climbing, horseback riding along
the Snake River, kayaking on the Chattahoochee River, hiking
Creek Indian paths and former water channels that are now
part of Historic Banning Mills' 15 miles of trail system, and
exploring the trails and landscape on all-terrain vehicles.
" It's a one-stop shop, " says Donna Holder, owner of
Historic Banning Mills. " You can enjoy the conservancy on
the nature side and learn about the history of Banning Mills,
enjoy lots of adventures or just a hike on the trail, and be in a
peaceful environment along the river. "
Even the overnight accommodations are a bit of an
adventure for families that decide to bunk down high in the
sky in double-decker treehouses. Choose among poolside
and creek-view treehouses, which are accessible by sky
bridges and are packed with amenities such as gas-log
fireplaces, jetted tubs, Keurig coffee machines and DVD
players for cozy family-movie nights. (The main lodge has
a library of titles to borrow.) A full country breakfast is
included each morning.
MORE
www.georgiamagazine.org 23
More places to unplug
* Amicalola Falls State Park: Home to the tallest
waterfall in Georgia and the third-tallest cascading waterfall
east of the Mississippi River, this Dawsonville gem is
the perfect place to slip off the grid and get reacquainted
with nature. Accommodations include resort-style rooms
at the Lodge at Amicalola Falls, recently renovated cabins,
wooded RV and tent campsites, luxury glamping sites and
the secluded Len Foote Hike Inn. amicalolafallslodge.com
* Sapelo Island: This nationally protected island with
unique coastal wildlife off ers exquisite beaches and
outdoor adventure paired with campsite and cottage
accommodations. Families that love going to the beach,
biking, hiking and birdwatching reach this 12-mile-long,
largely undeveloped barrier island-the fourth-largest in
the chain of coastal Georgia islands between the Savannah
and St. Marys rivers-via ferry operated by the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources. bit.ly/visitsapelo
* Reed Bingham State Park: Boaters, fi shers and water
skiers are drawn to this Adel park's 375-acre lake lined
with waterlilies and tupelo trees. Wildlife lovers might spot
yellow-bellied sliders (water turtles), gopher tortoises and,
in wintertime, nesting bald eagles. Park amenities include
a sand beach, boat ramps, picnic shelters and playgrounds.
Among the campsite accommodations is a private island
where canoeists can paddle up and set up camp for the
night. gastateparks.org/reedbingham
* Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa: This Young Harris resort
off ers something for everyone, including ax-throwing,
archery, guided horseback rides, golfi ng, swimming and
relaxation in a spa. Nearby Brasstown Bald, Georgia's
highest peak at 4,784 feet above sea level, shows off
breathtaking 360-degree views and is one of the state's
best spots for stargazing. brasstownvalley.com
Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville is the perfect
place to escape the trappings of the plugged-in world
and connect with nature.
HISTORIC BANNING MILLS
EXPLORE GEORGIA / CALEB JONES PHOTOGRAPHY
http://www.amicalolafallslodge.com http://bit.ly/visitsapelo http://www.gastateparks.org/reedbingham http://www.brasstownvalley.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org
Georgia Magazine - June 2023

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