Apple Festival Weekend on Conasauga Creek

Join us for a weekend of camping where the beautiful Conasauga Creek winds through green pastures near the Cohutta Wilderness. Separate hiking events will be planned for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Those who don't hike may relax around the picnic shelter or explore the Apple Festival and other activities in nearby Ellijay.

Come and go as you please. Participate in the entire weekend, spend a single night, or drop in to visit.

The hiking events and itineraries have not yet been set, but several nearby hikes ranging from D1 to D5 are under consideration. These include hikes in Rich Mountain Wilderness, Fort Mountain, Emery Creek Trail, routes in the Cohutta Wilderness, and Bear Creek Trail (D1, D2). Trip leaders should contact Mark Bowden if interested in planning and leading a hike. 

Amenities: With acres of green fields set along Conasauga Creek, there is plenty of room to set up tents or small campers. The location features a large picnic shelter with lighting and electricity. There is a privy about 200 feet from the camping area. Farther away, there is also access to the basement of the host's home, where campers are welcome to use the bathroom and shower.

Click this link for shared Google photos of the event site. https://photos.app.goo.gl/2EkD3zGrk14eErb69

Starting from I-575 at Hwy 92 in Woodstock

Follow I-575 N and GA-5 N/GA-515 N/State Rte 515 N to 1st Ave/Soule Bridge in East Ellijay (48.3 miles)

Turn Left on 1st Avenue and cross bridge.

Turn left on River Street / Hwy 52 West and go 0.9 miles to traffic circle.

Take 2nd exit of traffic circle on Hwy 2 / Hwy 52 and go 9.7 miles to Maple Rest Lane

Turn Left on Maple Rest Lane and proceed about 0.4 miles

Turn Right on Canaan Road and drive up the hill. (The road becomes unpaved.)

Granny's house with concrete paved driveway and stone entrance sign "The Promised Land" is on top of the hill on the left. 

To continue to the Picnic Shelter continue on Canaan Road past Granny's House. This section of the road is steep with ruts, but can accommodate automobiles. If you are concerned about driving this section, then you are welcome to park at Granny's house.  At the bottom of the hill, turn left into pasture. Do not drive across the narrow concrete bridge at the bottom of the hill.

Drive to the far end of the pasture where you will see the picnic shelter.

Google Directions:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/i5DiELe8dynrt6a69

Google directions use a different route in that you would turn left onto Mountaintown Road (about a mile before the directions given above. This is followed by a right onto Maple Rest Lane, then left onto Canaan Road. It involves a longer drive on unpaved roads than the directions given above.

If you plan on bringing a camper, please text Mark Bowden at 404-718-9839. We will need to discuss road conditions to determine whether your camper is suitable for entry and egress.

For safety reasons, we will keep vehicles away from the tenting area. Parking will be near the entrance of the field. Drive to the picnic shelter area for loading and unloading. For safety reasons, we will keep vehicles away from the tenting area.

Please complete loading and unloading before dark. We want to keep all vehicles away from camping and eating areas after dark. 

Setup Areas:

Areas will be marked with signs and surveyors' tape.

The immediate area around the Picnic Shelter down to the creek, including the fire ring will be reserved for gathering activites, dining, and food preparation.

Campers or those sleeping in their vehicle should set up at the end of the field before entering the wooded area surrounding the picnic shelter.

The tenting area is in the open area beyond the picnic shelter.

One and two-person-sized tents may be set up in the trees between the Picnic Shelter and the camper area.

Hammocks may be strung in any trees that won't obstruct pedestrian and vehicle traffic. There are a number of spaced-out trees on both sides of the picnic shelter. 

$10 to cover the cost of rental of 2 Porta Toilets to supplement bathroom facilities.

$2 for AOC paid event fee where paid event is less than $20