Near the Cartecay River in Gilmer County, Georgia, most of what there is to do sits on two stretches of map. Highway 52 East follows the Cartecay valley out of Ellijay past family apple orchards, and downtown Ellijay is the town where the Cartecay meets the Ellijay River. In summer you can tube or paddle the river itself, and Georgia DNR’s Cartecay Tract has trails beside it.
This page covers the river side of Ellijay. Every place below links to its own website or the agency that runs it, and the cards show hours and seasons as each one publishes them, checked October 18, 2026.
On the river
For most visitors the Cartecay is a summer river. Cartecay River Experience, the tube and kayak outfitter on Highway 52 East, publishes a Memorial Day to Labor Day season, so it is closed now. Its site shows no year, so 2027 operation isn’t confirmed. Its floats pass private land, and the outfitter tells riders there is nowhere to get out along the way because both sides of the river are privately owned. The tubing guide compares its two floats, and kayaking and paddling covers the whitewater reaches.
Trout are the other draw. Georgia DNR’s 2026 stocking list puts the Cartecay in the group stocked once a month from March through August, and Georgia’s designated trout waters are open to fishing all year. Anglers 16 and older need a fishing license and a trout license. DNR also warns that many trout streams run through private property and that you need landowner permission to fish there. The fishing page has the rules, and the river access page covers the DNR launch on the Cartecay Tract, the one state-run public access on the river.
Orchards on Highway 52 East
Gilmer County calls itself the Apple Capital of Georgia. The Gilmer Chamber counts more than 22 apple varieties harvested from June through November, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia says the county’s valleys grow more than 600,000 bushels a year, more than any other county in the state. Several of the Chamber’s apple houses have Highway 52 East addresses, east of town along the Cartecay valley.
- R & A Orchards, 5505 Hwy 52 E, keeps its market and bakery open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and its cafe 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all year. U-pick apples and flowers run on weekends through October 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 4.
- B.J. Reece Orchards, 9131 Highway 52 East, opened its 2026 U-pick season on August 29, seven days a week through September and October. The farm market is open Monday to Saturday 9 to 6 and Sunday 1 to 6.
- Hillcrest Orchards, 9696 Hwy 52 E, about 9 miles east of Ellijay, has grown apples since 1946. Its site lists 9 to 6 daily in September and October and 9 to 5 in November but carries no year, so call ahead at 706-273-3838.
- Mack Aaron’s Apple House, 8955 Highway 52 East, has sold apples since 1944 by the Chamber’s count. Its one-page site is undated, so we couldn’t confirm current hours.
Orchard
R & A Orchards
A family orchard on Hwy 52 East with a year-round market, bakery and cafe, plus fall U-pick apples and flowers.
- Market, bakery and cafe year-round; U-pick every weekend through October (2026)
- Market & bakery 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; cafe 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; U-pick weekends 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last admission 4 p.m.)
- 5505 Hwy 52 E, Ellijay, GA 30536 (address from the Gilmer Chamber listing; the orchard's own site prints none)
- 706-273-3821
Source: R and A Orchards (own site, contact page), checked Oct 18, 2026
Orchard
B.J. Reece Orchards and Farm Market
A family orchard on Hwy 52 East with a year-round farm market and bakery and fall U-pick apples and farm activities; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Easter.
- Market and bakery year-round; 2026 U-pick began August 29, open 7 days a week in September and October
- Farm market Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 1-6 p.m.; last fall U-pick tickets sold at 5 p.m.
- 9131 Highway 52 East, Ellijay, GA 30536
- 706-276-3048
Source: BJ Reece Orchards (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Orchard Not yet confirmed
Mack Aaron's Apple House
A roadside apple house on Hwy 52 East; the Gilmer Chamber says it has sold apples since 1944. Its one-page site still carries curbside-pickup wording and no date, so current hours are not confirmed.
- Open all year (per own site)
- Open every day 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (per own site)
- 8955 Highway 52 East, Ellijay, GA 30536
- 706.273.3600
Source: Mack Aaron's Apple House (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Orchard
Hillcrest Orchards
A family orchard growing apples since 1946, about 9 miles east of Ellijay on Hwy 52, with U-pick, weekend farm activities and a farm market.
- September & October 9:00-6:00 daily; November 9:00-5:00 daily (year not stated)
- 9696 Hwy. 52 E., Ellijay, GA 30536
- 706-273-3838
Source: Hillcrest Orchards (own site, Hours & Directions), checked Oct 18, 2026
Orchard
Red Apple Barn
A family farm market and U-pick orchard on Tails Creek Road (Hwy 282) west of Ellijay. It is NOT on the Cartecay/Hwy 52 corridor.
- Market August through December 23; pumpkin patch weekends late September-October
- Farm market Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 1-5:30; apple picking Sat 10-5, Sun 1-4, Mon-Fri 11-3
- 3379 Tails Creek Road, Ellijay, GA 30540
- 706-635-5898
Source: Red Apple Barn (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Orchard
Panorama Orchards & Farm Market
A family fruit farm dating to the 1920s with a farm market, bakery and homemade ice cream. It is on Hwy 515 south of Ellijay, NOT on the Cartecay/Hwy 52 corridor.
- Apples all fall and into winter; peaches May to late August
- 63 Talona Mountain Road, Ellijay, GA 30536 (Gilmer Chamber listing; OSM says 63 Talona Spur; own site says three miles south of Ellijay on Hwy 515)
- 706-276-3813 (OSM tag only; not on own site)
Source: Panorama Orchards (own site, directions), checked Oct 18, 2026
Attraction
Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds
The grounds where the Georgia Apple Festival is held each October.
- Georgia Apple Festival on two October weekends (see events)
- 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
Source: Georgia Apple Festival homepage, checked Oct 18, 2026
The orchard cards also include Red Apple Barn on Tails Creek Road and Panorama Orchards on Highway 515. Both are in Gilmer County, but neither is on the Cartecay side of town.
Wineries
Cartecay Vineyards, at 5704 Clear Creek Road, is tied to the river by name and by water: Clear Creek is a Cartecay tributary. It has 14 acres of vines and a tasting barn, makes all its wines from its own grapes, and has live music every Saturday and Sunday. Hours are Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The Chamber lists a fall festival there on October weekends, but the vineyard’s own site didn’t load for us, so treat those dates as unconfirmed.
Two other Gilmer County wineries sit farther from the river. Chateau Meichtry, south of Ellijay with a Talking Rock mailing address, is open seven days and runs Saturday tours at 12:30 p.m. for $45 a person. Engelheim Vineyards, southwest of town toward the Coosawattee, pours four wines for $18 or six for $25 and needs no reservation.
Food and drink
Buckley Downtown Table & Vine
Buckley Vineyards' downtown restaurant steps from the square, pouring the vineyard's wines and cider with chef-designed shareables and entrees; reservations or walk-ins.
- Thursday-Monday 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (wine bar till 9); closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- 29 North Ave, Ellijay, GA 30540
- 706-851-2221
Source: Buckley Downtown Table & Vine (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Winery
Cartecay Vineyards
An estate winery on Clear Creek Road (Clear Creek is a Cartecay tributary) with 14 acres of vines, a tasting barn and live music every Saturday and Sunday; all its wines are made from its own grapes.
- Monday-Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm; Sunday 12:30pm-5:30pm
- 5704 Clear Creek Rd., Ellijay, GA 30536
- 706-698-9463 (the site footer also lists "Ellijay Phone: 706.697.9463")
Source: Cartecay Vineyards (own site, Find Us), checked Oct 18, 2026
Winery
Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard & Winery
A family-owned winery and vineyard in the foothills south of Ellijay, with live music every Saturday and Sunday 1:30-5:30 and food trucks on weekends.
- Open 7 days: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 12:30-5:30 p.m.
- Tours Saturdays 12:30 p.m., $45 per person; private tours (6+) $75 per person
- 1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA 30175 (mailing town is Talking Rock; OSM/TIGER place Orchard Lane in Gilmer County)
- 706-502-1608
Source: Chateau Meichtry (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Winery
Engelheim Vineyards
A family vineyard and tasting room southwest of Ellijay (off GA 382, toward the Coosawattee), pouring more than 20 of its own wines. Not on the Cartecay.
- Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday 12:30-6 p.m.; no reservations required
- Tastings: four wines $18, six wines $25
- 120 Lakeview Road, Ellijay, GA 30540 (OSM tags the tasting room 127 Lakeview Road)
- 706.635.9463
Source: Engelheim Vineyards (own site, home and Visit pages), checked Oct 18, 2026
Downtown Ellijay and the confluence
The City of Ellijay says the town sits between the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, where they join to make the Coosawattee River. No official source names a public spot to see or reach the confluence, so we don’t send you to one. The city also says the railroad bridge over the Cartecay was finished in 1884, which brought trains to town. Ellijay has been the county seat since 1834.
Start at the Gilmer Downtown Welcome Center, 10 Broad Street, open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ((706) 635-7401, per the Gilmer Chamber). Just off the square, the Tabor House History Museum at 138 Spring Street covers Cherokee, early-settler, Civil War and local history. Admission is free, and it opens 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and the first four Saturdays of each month, through December 5, 2026. Harrison Park, the city’s 25.94-acre park, sits by the Ellijay River, not the Cartecay.
Place
Cartecay-Ellijay confluence (start of the Coosawattee River)
Where the Cartecay ends and, with the Ellijay River, forms the Coosawattee; the Cherokee town that preceded Ellijay stood here. No official public river access point is published at the confluence.
- Downtown Ellijay
Source: City of Ellijay; USGS GNIS; OpenStreetMap, checked Oct 18, 2026
Visitor center
Gilmer Downtown Welcome Center
The Gilmer County Chamber's downtown welcome center on the Ellijay square; the chamber's main office and welcome center is at 696 First Avenue, East Ellijay (706-635-7400, Mon-Fri 9-5).
- Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm
- 10 Broad Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
- (706) 635-7401
Source: Gilmer County Chamber, Contact page, checked Oct 18, 2026
Attraction
Tabor House History Museum
A late-1800s Victorian house just off the square, run by the Gilmer County Historical Society as a museum of Cherokee, early-settler, Civil War and local history.
- Open March 19 to December 5, 2026 (homepage banner also says mid-March through mid-December)
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and the first four Saturdays of each month
- Free admission; donations welcome
- 138 Spring Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
- 706-276-1861
Source: Gilmer County Historical Society (Tabor House) homepage, checked Oct 18, 2026
Food and drink
Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza
A wood-fired pizza restaurant opened in November 2018 at the corner of River and Main streets on the downtown square.
- Mon-Thu 11:30-8; Fri-Sat 11:30-9; Sun 11:30-7 (or until they run out of dough)
- 2 River Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
- (706) 707-4992
Source: Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Food and drink
Buckley Downtown Table & Vine
Buckley Vineyards' downtown restaurant steps from the square, pouring the vineyard's wines and cider with chef-designed shareables and entrees; reservations or walk-ins.
- Thursday-Monday 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (wine bar till 9); closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- 29 North Ave, Ellijay, GA 30540
- 706-851-2221
Source: Buckley Downtown Table & Vine (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Lodging
Ellijay River House (bed and breakfast)
An adults-only downtown bed and breakfast with river decks. It sits on the ELLIJAY River (not the Cartecay), just upstream of where the two rivers meet.
- 128 River Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
- (706)-514-6471
Source: Ellijay River House (own site), checked Oct 18, 2026
Trails and state parks
The Rich Mountain WMA Cartecay Tract is a 2,142-acre Georgia DNR property beside the river, with trails for hiking, biking and horses, river fishing and canoe access. You need a Georgia hunting license, fishing license or Lands Pass to use it, and DNR closes the trails before 10 a.m. during deer, bear and turkey seasons.
North of Ellijay, the Forest Service’s Bear Creek Trail has 3- and 6.7-mile loops for hikers and mountain bikers past the Gennett Poplar, an immense old-growth tree. It has shallow fords and no water, and it isn’t on the Cartecay. For a longer day, drive west on Highway 52 to Fort Mountain State Park, with an 855-foot ancient stone wall, a CCC stone fire tower and a 17-acre lake (parking takes a Georgia State Parks ParkPass). East on Highway 52 is Amicalola Falls State Park, where the falls drop 729 feet and every vehicle needs a $10 park pass.
Trailhead
Rich Mountain WMA: Cartecay Tract (archery range and trails)
DNR wildlife management area beside the river with hiking, biking and horse trails, archery hunting (deer and bear archery only), river fishing and canoe access; trails close before 10 a.m. in deer, bear and turkey seasons.
- Archery range daily sunrise-sunset; unstaffed
- Hunting license, fishing license, or Lands Pass
- 106 Brett Dickey Memorial Drive, Ellijay, GA 30536
- 706-295-6041
Source: Georgia DNR, checked Oct 18, 2026
Place
Rich Mountain Wilderness (Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests)
Federal wilderness where Rolston Creek, one of the Cartecay's two headwater streams, begins (USFS map data); the Cartecay main stem itself does not run through Forest Service land.
Source: USDA Forest Service EDW Wilderness layer; OpenStreetMap, checked Oct 18, 2026
Trailhead
Bear Creek Trail (Chattahoochee National Forest)
A Forest Service single-track trail for hikers and mountain bikers along Bear Creek, past the Gennett Poplar, an immense old-growth tree; 3- and 6.7-mile loops, shallow fords, no water. In the Mountaintown/Bear Creek area north of Ellijay, not on the Cartecay.
- Year round
- Free
- Chattahoochee National Forest, Gilmer County (north of Ellijay; no street address)
Source: USDA Forest Service, Bear Creek Trail, checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Fort Mountain State Park
A 4,058-acre state park reached by a scenic drive on Hwy 52 west of Ellijay, with an 855-foot ancient stone wall, a CCC stone fire tower, a 17-acre lake, cottages and campsites.
- Year-round; swimming beach and boat rentals seasonal
- Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Parking fee required (Georgia State Parks ParkPass; annual passes available)
- 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 (Murray County)
- 706-422-1932 (park); 800-864-7275 (reservations)
Source: Georgia State Parks, Fort Mountain State Park, checked Oct 18, 2026
Park
Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
Home of the 729-foot Amicalola Falls and the stone arch at the start of the Appalachian Trail approach trail; managed for the state by North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality. East of the Cartecay corridor via Hwy 52 (Dawson County).
- Year-round
- Park accessible year-round during daylight hours; visitor center 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- $10 Georgia State Park Pass per vehicle; $70 annual pass
- 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Drive, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (site also prints "418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd")
- 706-344-1500 (lodge reservations)
Source: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge (official park site linked from gastateparks.org), checked Oct 18, 2026
Dates for the calendar
The Georgia Apple Festival is held at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds on the second and third weekends of October. The 55th festival ran October 10-11 and 17-18, 2026, at $10 a person, with children 12 and under free. The organizer hasn’t published 2027 dates. On Highway 52 East, the Chamber lists Hillcrest’s weekend farm festival through November 1, 2026. The SayStrong Halloween 5K and fun run is October 31, 2026 at Ellijay River Park, with registration closing October 29. Downtown, the second Merry Mountain Town Festival is set for Friday, November 27, 2026, and the Chamber says more details are coming.
Georgia Apple Festival (55th), final day
Published by the organizerThe last day of the two-weekend arts-and-crafts festival at the Lions Club Fairgrounds; it is rain or shine, and pets are not allowed (service animals are).
Source: www.georgiaapplefestival.org, checked Oct 18, 2026
Annual Fall Festival at Cartecay Vineyards
Not yet confirmedWeekend festival with live music, wine tastings, arts and crafts vendors and Saturday grape stomping; the Chamber calendar lists remaining 2026 dates of Oct 18, 24, 25 and 31.
Source: www.gilmerchamber.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
Apple Pickin' Jubilee weekend festival at Hillcrest Orchards
Not yet confirmedWeekend farm festival with U-pick apples, pig races, a petting farm, wagon rides and cow milking on the Hwy 52 East orchard corridor; the Chamber listing gives Sept 5-Nov 1 for 2026.
Source: www.gilmerchamber.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
U-pick apple season at Hillcrest Orchards
Not yet confirmedHillcrest's own site lists daily hours in September, October and November, with U-pick daily until all apples are picked; the site carries no year, so treat dates as the orchard's usual pattern.
Source: www.hillcrestorchards.net, checked Oct 18, 2026
U-pick weekends at R & A Orchards
Published by the organizerR & A Orchards runs U-pick apples and flowers on weekends through October, rain or shine; its market, bakery and cafe are open year round.
Source: randorchards.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
SayStrong Halloween 5K & Fun Run
Published by the organizerA 5K, 1-mile fun run, Tot Trot and virtual ghost-runner option on a double loop of paved and dirt paths through the river park, with a costume contest, DJ and food trucks; proceeds go to the SayStrong Foundation's room at Ronald McDonald House Atlanta.
Source: runsignup.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
Merry Mountain Town Festival (2nd annual)
Published by the organizerDowntown Ellijay's holiday kickoff festival on the Friday after Thanksgiving; the Chamber says more details are coming.
Source: www.gilmerchamber.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
Fourth of July in Downtown Ellijay
Not yet confirmedIn 2026 the day ran 3-9 p.m. with a decorating contest, vendor festival, a 7 p.m. parade and fireworks at dusk; 2027 details are not published.
Source: www.gilmerchamber.com, checked Oct 18, 2026
Georgia Apple Festival 2027
Not yet confirmedThe festival is held on the second and third weekends of October; the organizer has not published 2027 dates, so give the pattern only.
Source: www.georgiaapplefestival.org, checked Oct 18, 2026
Planning the whole trip? Plan your visit covers timing, and eat and stay lists food and beds near the river.
Questions people ask
When is apple picking season in Ellijay, Georgia?
The Gilmer Chamber says more than 22 apple varieties are harvested in Gilmer County from June through November, and many orchards offer U-pick. Each orchard sets its own U-pick dates, so check its site before you go.
Source: Gilmer Chamber, checked Oct 18, 2026
Which apple orchards are on Highway 52 East near the Cartecay River?
The Gilmer Chamber's orchard list includes several apple houses with Hwy 52 E addresses east of Ellijay, the road that follows the Cartecay valley. They include R & A Orchards (5505), Mack Aaron's Apple House (8955), B.J. Reece Orchards (9131) and Hillcrest Orchards (9696).
Source: Gilmer Chamber, checked Oct 18, 2026
When is the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay?
The festival is held on the second and third weekends of October at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street. In 2026 it ran October 10-11 and 17-18, and 2027 dates had not been published when we checked.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival, checked Oct 18, 2026
Is Cartecay Vineyards on the Cartecay River?
Not on the main river. Cartecay Vineyards is at 5704 Clear Creek Road in Ellijay, and Clear Creek is a tributary of the Cartecay. It is open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Source: Cartecay Vineyards, checked Oct 18, 2026
Can you see where the Cartecay and Ellijay rivers meet?
The City of Ellijay says the town sits between the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers, where they join to make the Coosawattee River. No official source we found names a public spot to view or reach the confluence.
Source: City of Ellijay, checked Oct 18, 2026
Are there hiking trails along the Cartecay River?
Georgia DNR's Rich Mountain WMA Cartecay Tract, 2,142 acres beside the river, has trails for hiking, biking and horses. You need a Georgia hunting license, fishing license or Lands Pass to use it, and trails close before 10 a.m. during deer, bear and turkey seasons.
Source: Georgia DNR, checked Oct 18, 2026