Things to do at Sky Valley

Sources: MarianneVines, Time Shares of Sky Valley, and other misc brochures

  • Mud Creek Falls aka Little Estatoah: right in Sky Valley, about one mile from the timeshare office, roars a 100 foot waterfall! From the time share office, turn right on Tahoe Lane. Follow this road to the parking area. Picnic while you view the falls.
  • Hiking right in Sky Valley. The trail begins at Mud Creek Falls; it follows Mud Creek for a mile.

(2 mile round trip). Easy, shady hike with splendid views of Mud Creek whitewater.

  • Fishing three locations: 1. Across from Glenn Abby on Tahoe Road on the right 2. Sky Valley City Park on Sky Valley Way across from the mail facility 3. Across from the tractor barn and dumpster building on Knob Drive
  • Sky Valley Golf call (706) 746-5302 for tee times
  • Highlands Aerial Park-Zipline and ecological park. Just outside of Sky Valley on N. 106. Adventures for all ages. (828) 526-8773.
  • Horseback riding
  • Dillard House Stables located the famous Dillard House, reservations requested (706) 746-2038
  • Full Stride Farm, Clayton, GA (706) 782-1638
Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center (828) 526-3737
  • Take NC 106 towards Highlands. Center is 3.5 miles east of Sky Valley
  • Snow tubing, kiddie slope, ice skating and dry tubing
  • Hambidge Center provides a residency program that empowers talented artists to explore, develop, and express their creative voices. Situated on 600 acres in the mountains of north Georgia, Hambidge is a sanctuary of time and space that inspires artists working in a broad range of disciplines to create works of the highest caliber. Hambidge is located on Betty’s Creek Road, 3.5 miles from Highway 441 in Rabun Gap. Check for events or call (706) 746-5718.
  • Smokey Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin, NC, world class entertainment

(866) 273-4615

  • Shopping and Fine Dining in Highlands, NC
  • Massage Therapy--relaxation by therapeutic massage--Call Ann 706-782-0997
  • Timeshare Fitness Center (Timeshare guests & members only) is located on the lower level of the Swim/Tennis Center includes Jacuzzi and Sauna. Seven days a week 8am until 9pm. Must have a Timeshare key card for entry.
  • Timeshare Tennis Courts (Timeshare guests & members only) --access with your key card. Sign out tennis equipment available during business hours.
  • Timeshare swimming pool and family Jacuzzi open from 9am to 9pm. (Timeshare guests & members only) Bring your key card to enter.
  • Timeshare Children’s Playground outside of the Swim/Tennis Center. Picnic tables, charcoal grills, basketball court and volleyball court. Sign out equipment during business hours. (Timeshare guests & members only)
  • Timeshare Privilege Holder Card issued by the Golf Shop for $15.00. Has the following benefits:
  • The ability to walk on the golf cart path at times set by the Golf Shop.
  • 15% discount on Standard un-restricted golf rates.
  • Access to the Club House restaurant and bar to include 2 complimentary non-premium drinks.

Day Trips from Sky Valley

YEAR ROUND

Tallulah Gorge GA State Park (706) 754-7970, 24 miles ($5 fee per car, good for one day at all GA parks)

  • Leave Sky Valley on GA 246 South then take US 441 South to Tallulah Falls
  • Visit one of the oldest geological features in North America, second deepest gorge in the U.S.
  • Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, film and gift shop
  • 5 major waterfalls
  • Extensive hiking system, includes trail to river level down 500 + steps or flatter rim trail
  • Fishing
  • Beautiful picnic area
  • 10 Scenic overlooks
  • Biking

Black Rock Mountain GA State Park (706) 746-2141 ($5 fee per car, good for one day at all GA parks)

  • Leave Sky Valley on GA 246 South
  • Take US 441 South to Mountain City
  • Turn right on the park entrance road (8 miles from Sky Valley)
  • Foxfire Museum: Collection of log cabins housing artifacts. Entrance fee. (706) 746-5828.
  • Visit the highest state park in GA, altitude of 3,640 feet
  • Named for its sheer cliffs of dark-colored biotite gneiss
  • Spectacular 80 mile vistas of the Southern Appalachians
  • Start at the Visitor Center to get oriented
  • 10 miles of hiking trails to include a nature trail
  • Picnicking
  • Lake fishing--bass, bream, catfish, trout

Franklin, NC, 16 miles, Franklin Welcome Center (828)524-3161

  • Leave Sky Valley on GA 246 South
  • Take US 441 North to Franklin (20 miles)
  • Gem mines-brochures available in the Time Share office
  • Kids activities at Fun Factory (866) 482-2386
  • Arcade
  • Batting Cages
  • Go Cart track
  • Bowling
  • Laser Tag
  • Mini Golf
  • Adult activities
  • Whistle Stop Mall--“NC’s largest Antique Mall” 117,000 sq ft of antiques, fine shops and restaurants (828) 349-1600
  • Downtown Franklin has two gem museums and the Scottish Tartan Museum (828) 524-7472

Whitewater Falls Recreation Area (828) 524-6441 (31 miles, 1 hour driving)

  • Depart Sky Valley north on NC 106 towards Highlands, NC
  • Turn right on US 64 East you will go through Cashiers then
  • Turn right on NC 281 in Sapphire go south to the entrance
  • 411foot waterfall over the Blue Ridge Escarpment
  • Waterfall overlook trail
  • Access to the Foothills trail
  • Restrooms and picnic tables
  • Parking fee
  • Return on SC 107 which becomes NC107 to Cashiers to create a driving loop
  • New Gorges NC State Park is just beyond Cashiers on US 64 East.

Winter activities

  • Scaly Mountain Tubing – snow tubing just outside of Sky Valley on NC106.

Sapphire Valley Ski Area

  • Take US 64E past Cashiers
  • Call 1 (800) 533-8286 for information
  • The Sapphire Valley Ski slopes are an integral part of a 5,700 acre four-season resort nestled in a pristine mountain valley high in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, with an average elevation of 4,300 feet.
  • The ski hill consists of two runs, one each for intermediate and beginner skiers, featuring runs up to 1600 feet in length and a vertical drop of 200 feet. Beginners receive the personal attention necessary to master the basics of downhill skiing or snowboarding, and seasoned veterans can hone their skills.
  • Two on-site lounge/restaurant facilities

Summer Day Trips

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad: Trains depart from the historic mountain town of Bryson City, NC. This 4½ hour, 44 mile round-trip will take you along the Tuckasegee River, over impressive Fontana Lake Trestle and into the Nantahala River Gorge. Call (800) 872-4681 for information and reservations.

Rafting, tubing or whitewater-pick your location

  • Southeastern Expeditions: Section IV has many rapids. Motor tow across 2 mile lake. Section III trip ideal for novices. Outpost 7 miles east of Clayton on Hwy. 76. Reservations. (706)782-4331 or (800)868-7238.
  • Nantahala Outdoor Center: Whitewater rafting on a choice of five rivers. Half-day, full-day, and overnight trips available. Levels II through IV. (800)232-7238.
  • Wildwood Outfitters: Canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and tubing along the Chattahoochee River. All your outdoor needs available at a retail store. (800)553-2715 or (706)865-4451
  • Wildwater Ltd: Whitewater rafting on the Chattooga, Nantahala, Ocoee and Pigeon Rivers. 35 years of whitewater experience on Southeastern USA rivers. (800) 451-9972
  • Carolina Outfitters: Guide-in-Boat, Guide Assisted, or Non-Guided whitewater rafting trips on the popular and scenic Nantahala River, Inflatable Funyak/Ducky rentals, excellent equipment, friendly staff, and comfortable facilities. Great low prices and group rates available. Combine our rafting with gemstone mining, horseback riding, and scenic train tours. Fully furnished vacation rentals available. Convenient to all area attractions. (800) 468-7238 or (800) 468-7238
  • Primitive Outback, Inc.: We offer leisurely kayak trips down the Little Tennessee River. The trips are 2 1/2 -3 hours long and we supply you with all equipment needed. We also have Flume Gem Mining and River Gem Mining in a nature setting along the Little Tennessee River. We're located 4 miles from the Georgia border on Hwy 441/23 north and 6 miles south from Franklin, NC, and are open March - November 10:00am - 6:00pm, Mon. - Sun. (828)349-1717
  • Chattooga River Resort & Campground: Chattooga Whitewater Outfitters offers equipment rentals and non-guided trips on the Chattooga River. Chattooga Whitewater Outfitters 14239 Hwy 76 (Long Creek Hwy) Long Creek, SC 29658 Phone: (864)647-9083

Andy’s Trout Farm (706) 746-2550

  • Leave Sky Valley on GA 246 South
  • Take US 441 South to Dillard
  • Turn right on Betty’s Creek Road, go 5 miles to Andy’s
  • Start with a hike in the woods
  • Mine for gems
  • Wrap your day by catching your supper of trout. You catch ‘em, Andy cleans ‘em

Canoe Rentals on Lake Sequoyah

  • Highlands Canoe Rentals, 1536 Franklin Road, Highland, NC next to “On the Verandah Restaurant” (828) 526-3126 or (407) 421-1818. Cash or checks only.

Other Day Trip Ideas

  • Helen, GA recreation of an alpine village. More than 200 specialty and import shops, restaurants and 1,100 quality hotel rooms. (800) 858-8027
  • Cashiers, NC charming mountain town NE of Highlands on US 64. Call (828) 743-5941
  • Biltmore Estate, Ashville, NC, visit the largest home in American, the estate of the Vanderbilt family. (800) 411-3812.
  • Cherokee, NC native American arts and crafts, casino, golf, restaurants and much more (800) 433-6700
  • Great Smokey Mountains National Park the most visited National Park. Fishing, bicycling, picnicking, horse riding, elk viewing and Ranger led programs. (865) 436-1000. Wonderful Visitor Center.
  • Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, magnificent forest with towering trees as old as 450 years. Some enormous tulip-poplars are more than 20 feet in circumference and stand 100 feet tall. Two miles of trails to visit the trees. Robbinsville, NC (828) 479-6431
  • Mountain Biking in the Chattahoochee National Forest
  • Stonewall Falls Loop-11 miles
  • White Twister Loop-5 miles
  • Visit Chattooga River Ranger District, 9975 Hwy 441 S., Lakemont, GA for a map or call (706)754-6221.
  • Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, GA (706) 282-5055. History of airborne training at Currahee Mountain during WWII.

Visit Rabun County Welcome Center (706) 782-4812 in Clayton next to Pizza Hut on US 441 and

Sky Valley Visitor Center at 3608 Highway 246 in Sky Valley for free brochures.

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