Whether on foot, on a bike, or in a car, there is beautiful fall foliage to be seen around the state. Here’s where you can find the best leaf-peeping in Georgia.
The first fallen leaf of the season is one of those moments that gives pause. Even if the temperatures are still toasty, that leaf indicates what’s to come. It represents chilly morning air, Friday night lights in various football towns, crackling bonfires, steamy bowls of soup, and loads of fall color.
With its lush tree canopy, Blue Ridge foothills, and winding rivers, there are many places to go leaf-peeping in Georgia. The season of change might be short in the Peach State, but it is still vibrant and awe-inspiring. As fall bucket lists are made and plans unfold, add these hikes, towns, resorts, and trails to your fall foliage agenda.
Alpine Helen
Leaf-peeping season in Alpine Helen runs from late September through October, and this year it overlaps almost perfectly with the town’s biggest draw: Oktoberfest. Held Sept. 10 through Nov. 1, 2026, it’s the longest-running Oktoberfest in the country. It unfolds against a backdrop of turning leaves in the surrounding Chattahoochee National Forest, making it easy to pair a stein of German beer with views of peak color.
Take leaf-peeping a step further, literally, by heading just a few miles away from downtown to Raven Cliff Falls, where water plunges through a split rock face in two dramatic drops into a pool below. The five-mile round-trip hike and 100-foot cascade are framed by changing leaves along the way.
Cleveland
A few miles from Helen, Cleveland offers its own take on fall color. The Yonah Preserve, a 1,000-acre property, has a multi-use trail system with roughly 10 acres of walking space and mountain biking, all winding through turning leaves.
Yonah Mountain itself is considered one of Georgia’s top rock-climbing spots, with trail hikes that double as scenic color routes. A stretch of the Appalachian Trail also crosses through the area, intersecting GA-75 and SR-348, with parking available at both access points.
Time it right and you can catch Agrifest on Sept. 26, where visitors can meet farm animals, shop local crafts, and take in harvest-season activities as the surrounding hills shift into color.
Dawsonville
For families who’d rather admire fall color from a hayride than a hiking trail, Dawsonville delivers without the climb. Burt’s Farm has been a North Georgia fall staple for 50 years, and it recently debuted its biggest attraction yet: the “World’s Largest Drive-Through Pumpkin,” an experience paired with an animated video telling the pumpkin’s life story.
Beyond the giant gourd, the farm’s classic hayrides wind past turning trees, with sprawling pumpkin patches rounding out the visit. For those who want a taste of the mountains without committing to a hike, Amicalola Falls is just down the road. Georgia’s tallest cascading waterfall is visible from an easy overlook, with the surrounding canopy shifting into deep gold and red by late October.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega is the closest thing to a real-life Hallmark town; it’s even served as the setting for a few movies and shows. In truth, it’s easy to see why. The town centers on a square with bustling shops and restaurants that come alive even more in the fall.
Gold Rush Days, the town’s largest festival of the year and a tradition running for more than 70 years, takes place each October. This year’s 72nd edition lands Oct. 17 and 18. During the event, artisan and craft vendors line the historic square alongside food trucks, live music, gold panning demonstrations, and a parade.
The city is also home to Georgia’s highest concentration of wineries. Wolf Mountain Vineyards sits atop a mountain ridge with sweeping Blue Ridge views from its patio, while Frogtown Cellars, at the foot of the Appalachians, pours from its own 28 acres of vineyards. In short, there’s leaf-peeping from all angles.
Turn it into a long weekend at Forrest Hills Resort; the drive there showcases leaf-peeping, and its location is nestled among the mountains and trees with lots of great foliage, too.
Coweta County
South of Atlanta, Coweta County trades mountain peaks for small-town, “Gilmore Girls”-style charm. Newnan hosts Oktoberfest on Oct. 2, with craft brews from across Georgia alongside local shopping and bites.
For those craving trees over town streets, Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers nearly 3,000 acres and five miles of Chattahoochee River frontage for hiking and leaf-peeping. Three new cottages, each with a screened porch, fire pit, and grill, make it easy to turn a hike at the state park into an overnight stay.
Adairesville
Tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills of North Georgia, Adairsville offers a lesser-known alternative to the region’s more popular leaf-peeping towns. Here, its crown jewel, Barnsley Resort, spans 3,000 acres, its grounds turning into a patchwork of red, orange, and gold each fall.
Guests can take in the color on horseback, try their hand at the Sporting Grounds’ courses, or try axe throwing, archery, golf, pickleball, biking, and hiking. The resort’s Swine & Wine Weekend, running Oct. 30 through Nov. 1, is a food-and-drink-focused celebration.
Lake Oconee
Situated in the eastern part of the state, Lake Oconee is a quick getaway from Atlanta that feels worlds away. Come fall, the lake’s still waters mirror the reds, oranges, and golds lining its banks, doubling the color for anyone out on the water or watching from shore.
At The Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds, the season is best explored via paved trails that wind through the property. There’s enough elevation change to suit an easy stroll or a serious run, but you can cover even more ground by borrowing bikes, which are included in the resort fee.
While here, guests can also cast a line for bass and crappie, or head to Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds for clay shooting, archery, and falconry. As the sun sets behind the deeply hued trees, the resort’s nightly S’mores by the Lake gathering brings guests together by the fire for the cherry on top of a perfect fall evening.
