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Beauty seems to be everywhere in Dawson County. To the south and west, vistas of the southern Appalachian Mountains are visible, revealing Spring, Burnt and Disharoon Mountains’ picturesque peaks. Clear days can even offer Dawson County residents a glimpse of the Atlanta skyline, only 40 miles away, when adventuring into the county’s elevations. The mountainous retreat also features other geographic wonders, including the 729-foot Amicalola Falls and its accompanying State Park, which is a major tourist destination for visitors, but makes living in Dawson County just that much better.
But there is more to Dawson County than just the mountains and views; residents here enjoy lake living, too. The 39,000-acre Lake Lanier forms the southeastern part of the Dawson County line, giving residents unparalleled access to fishing, boating, swimming and other forms of water sports. Even whitewater rafting is possible on the Amicalola and Etowah rivers which run through Dawson County. Golfers have access to two fantastic golf courses that take advantage of the area’s beauty. The Chestatee Golf Club’s location next to Lake Lanier uses the natural terrain to provide unique challenges, and the Crystal Falls Golf Club is both playable and forgiving to the sports newcomers.
Additional notable attractions in Dawson County include the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve, which has an amazing 125 species of wildlife, including white Siberian tigers and other exotic animals. The 87 acres that make up the Kangaroo Conservation Center is often a surprise for new residents, who can see over 300 of the marsupials through guided tours and other exhibits. Annual events also keep things “hopping” in Dawson County. As the birthplace of NASCAR racing, and favorite driver and native Bill Elliot, Dawson County celebrates its Prohibition and Great Depression history as a hotspot for running homemade liquor during the Mountain Moonshine Festival. Downtown Dawsonville, the county seat, hosts The Art in the Garden Festival featuring a variety of crafts, arts, entertainment and food in April, and the Amicalola Community Picnic at the State Park is perfect for family and friends to enjoy food and fellowship in the presence of one of Georgia’s most famous natural wonders.
The development of Georgia's 400 highway, stretching from Dawson County into Atlanta, during the 1980s opened a world of new opportunity for residents here. By uniting Dawson County’s natural beauty with a major transportation route the county has continued to grow, initiating the recent development of the North Georgia Premium Outlets and a fantastic real estate market.
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