Where can Atlantans find an "up north" lakefront cottage/camp/cabin? (Hartwell: rental, houses)

[TwoFuzzyPony]

Growing up in Maine, we spent summers at our family camp...a small, rustic, but fabulous, lakefront cabin. Where are some rural lakes within 2-3 hours of Atlanta that are great for quiet weekends, swimming and boating? Thanks.

[pinetreelover]

Lake Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Seed are all in Rabun County - Northeast Georgia near the North Carolina border. They are beautiful mountain lakes, but the property values are astronomical and even a rustic cabin would be North of $500,000.

Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County is a bit more affordable, but not quite as picturesque. The lake tends to get shallow or dry during drought periods, but overall, it is a great lake.

Lake Hartwell is on the Georgia/South Carolina border. It is a very large lake with extensive shoreline. Because of it's size, you can find property all across the board from huge lake show houses to small fishing cabins. It is an easy2 hours or less drive depending on where you are coming from.

Lake Chatuge is on the border between Georgia and North Carolina and is actually a reservoir as part of the TVA.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by pinetreelover

Lake Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Seed are all in Rabun County - Northeast Georgia near the North Carolina border. They are beautiful mountain lakes, but the property values are astronomical and even a rustic cabin would be North of $500,000.

Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County is a bit more affordable, but not quite as picturesque. The lake tends to get shallow or dry during drought periods, but overall, it is a great lake.

Lake Hartwell is on the Georgia/South Carolina border. It is a very large lake with extensive shoreline. Because of it's size, you can find property all across the board from huge lake show houses to small fishing cabins. It is an easy2 hours or less drive depending on where you are coming from.

Lake Chatuge is on the border between Georgia and North Carolina and is actually a reservoir as part of the TVA.

Good list. Further into North Carolina, I would recommend Lake Lure (about 45 mi SE of Asheville)

[TwoFuzzyPony]

Excellent information...just what I was looking for! Thanks so much.

[Raze]

Originally Posted by TwoFuzzyPony

Growing up in Maine, we spent summers at our family camp...a small, rustic, but fabulous, lakefront cabin. Where are some rural lakes within 2-3 hours of Atlanta that are great for quiet weekends, swimming and boating? Thanks.

Where in Maine? I grew up on Sebago, and the lower part of Lanier is very much like Sebago and it only gets really busy during big holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day, 4th is pretty quiet as most southerners go to the beach (ocean). The upper fingers of Lanier are much more quiet but feels like you're on a river in many spots, most dwellings are owner occupied homes, but there are some campgrounds, rental cabins, etc. Lakes down here are very different but I've found I've come to enjoy Lanier for what it is, and it's very accessible to Atlanta which is a big plus for me...

[go falcons]

I am going to add to the list these North Georgia Lakes

1) Carter's Lake - Ellijay ( Gilmer County )

2) Lake Notley - Blairsville (Union Couty)

3) Lake Chatuge - Hiawassee (Towns County )

[TwoFuzzyPony]

Originally Posted by Raze

Where in Maine? I grew up on Sebago, and the lower part of Lanier is very much like Sebago and it only gets really busy during big holiday weekends like Memorial Day and Labor Day, 4th is pretty quiet as most southerners go to the beach (ocean). The upper fingers of Lanier are much more quiet but feels like you're on a river in many spots, most dwellings are owner occupied homes, but there are some campgrounds, rental cabins, etc. Lakes down here are very different but I've found I've come to enjoy Lanier for what it is, and it's very accessible to Atlanta which is a big plus for me...

I spent my summers on Kezar Lake...it's over by Fryeburg-Bridgeton-Lovell area. My folks still own the camp and it's sure nice to spend time there...I would love to find something similar now that I'm moving to Georgia. I've heard that Georgia lakes are much different - I guess we've been spoiled with Maine's natural lakes. Thanks so much for the information!

[researchnerd]

You might also check out Lake Allatoona near Red Top Mountain. It's definitely different from New England lakes but it isn't bad, and it's less than an hour from Atlanta.

[JRJay]

Nice thing about Georgia Lakes: they're WARM! Even the "mountain" lakes.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by JRJay

Nice thing about Georgia Lakes: they're WARM! Even the "mountain" lakes.

I know. It's weird. You can't even drive on them in the winter...