What makes Crystal Bend Special?

Chattahoochee National Forest (1)

The area around Crystal Bend is 90% uninhabited because the vast majority of the land is reserved in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  This land is rich in flora and fauna with diverse ecosystems and a plethora of great things to do for the whole family.

Fishing (2)

2200 ft of clear, cool, blue ribbon trout habitat border the Crystal Bend property.  Coopers Creek is a wide, noisy body of water that feeds into the Taccoa River about a quarter mile southwest of Crystal Bend.  The land enjoys private ownership of the creek and therefore controls access to the fishing and other recreational activities associated therein.  The rocky, noisy shoals and deep water swimming hole are refreshing on a warm day, and there are also great views of the surrounding mountains and pastures, but whether you love to fish or just relax near a beautiful, swift moving mountain stream, Crystal Bend can accommodate all of your families needs.  For more trout fishing information visit www.georgia-outdoor.com.

Hiking (3)

The Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail run very close to Crystal Bend.  The BMT was surveyed as an alternative to the heavily traveled A/T.  Although, in places it runs close the the A/T, it was designed as a more rugged and remote system that spans almost 300 miles from Georgia to North Carolina.   The A/T in this area offers some of the most dramatic and diverse terrain and scenery than any where else along its entire 2100 mile length. There are some fantastic day and overnight hikes right out the backdoor.  From Woody Gap and Long Creek Falls to Blood Mountain and Neel’s Gap there is truly a hike for every one.  Here are just a few of the great web sites devoted to hiking the area:  www.appalachaintrail.com, www.georgiatrails.com, www.bmta.com.

Camping (4)

Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest, nearly the whole area is one large camp ground.   Some of the best camp sites are located along the Toccoa River and the many great local creeks. Good sites are also plentiful along the BMT and the A/T.  Whether you hike to it, bike to it, 4 wheel to it, cycle to it, horse back ride to it, canoe to it or motorcycle to it, finding a great camp spot is easy. 

View our 360° Gallery

Cycling (5)

Some of the best road and mountain biking in the South East are within a short drive, or for that matter, right out of the drive way.  For road bike lovers this is a challenging place to be.  The Tour de Georgia runs through the area.  Try the 3 gap ride consisting of Woody’s, Wolf Pen and Neel’s Gap, or if you are ready for it, take on 6 gap.  These two loops are very scenic and strenuous and get top marks from cyclists in the know.

Mountain bikes can rejoice in the Bull and Jake Mountain areas.  Along with Turners’ Creek, these 3 trail systems provide some great rides for beginners and experts alike.  If you need some trail maps try one of the local bike shops or go to www.sorba.org.

Motorcycling (6)

Wow – nothing is better than the twisting, smooth, scenic onslaught of asphalt that encompasses this wilderness area.  From highway 60 and 19 to hwy 180 and the Richard B. Russell scenic highway, for pure joy on two wheels this is the place to be. If your desires tend towards dirt and gravel, duel-sport aficionados will love the huge network of United States Forest Service roads that surround this beautiful land.  The loops are endless and the scenery is spectacular.  Whether you ride loud pipes, scrape knees, GS, XR or KDX, I am here to tell you, people from all over the country and the world come here for some exceptional riding.  A few great web sites for your perusal:  www.twowheelsonly.com,  www.info-map.com .

Climate (7)

Suches Georgia, where the property is located, is called “the valley above the clouds” and is the states highest community.  This fact affords the area much cooler weather that some of the major metropolitan areas near by.  On average the temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Atlanta with lower humidity. Elevations range from 2400 feet to over 4000 at some of the high peaks.  This fact provides more winter precipitation than other areas.  The springs are lush, summers cool and the falls and winters are spectacular.  Your family will love getting out of the city heat to enjoy some cool weather at Crystal Bend.