Dawsonville at a glance
- CountyDawson County (county seat)
- Population, 2020 Census3,720U.S. Census Bureau
- Elevation1,374 ftUSGS elevation at the town centre
- From downtown Atlantaabout 1 h 15 minby road, no traffic
What to know about Dawsonville
- Dawsonville is the county seat of Dawson County. Dawson County Government
- Dawson County was created by a legislative act on December 3, 1857, and both the county and the town of Dawsonville are named for Judge William C. Dawson. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Dawsonville's historic courthouse and the old jail west of it are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and both have been restored to their original appearance. Dawson County Government
- Dawson County was a significant source of illegal corn whiskey for Atlanta during and after Prohibition, and the bootleggers' modified cars helped give rise to stock car racing and NASCAR. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Dawsonville is the hometown of NASCAR driver Bill Elliott, known as "Awesome Bill from Dawsonville," and of Chase Elliott. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Museum in Dawsonville is a destination for motorsports enthusiasts and history buffs. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- The Mountain Moonshine Festival & Car Show is scheduled for October 23-25 (2026) at Main Street Park and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in downtown Dawsonville. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Amicalola Falls State Park, northeast of Dawsonville and within the Chattahoochee National Forest, is named for its 729-foot waterfall, the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
- Since 1957 the southern end of the Appalachian Trail has been about eight miles north of Amicalola Falls State Park, making Dawson County a destination for hikers. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Lake Lanier, formed from the flooding of the Chattahoochee River plain, draws boaters, canoeists, anglers and campers to its Dawson County shores. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Burt's Pumpkin Farm in Dawson County grows more than twenty varieties of pumpkins and bills itself as home to the World's Largest Drive-Thru Pumpkin. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- Along with Amicalola Falls and Lake Lanier, the North Georgia Premium Outlets have helped make Dawson County one of Georgia's fastest-growing areas. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
- The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development is at 44 Commerce Drive, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534. Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development
Coming up in Dawsonville
Downtown Dawsonville Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting & Jingle Market
Organizer date for 2026Dawsonville's Christmas evening combines a parade that brings Santa to City Hall, a tree lighting led by the mayor and the Jingle Market of local handmade crafts. Food trucks, 'You Snap' Santa photos, ornament decorating for kids and music bingo are also listed. The listing notes an updated parade start at the Dawson County Courthouse/Government Center.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Free Source: Destination Dawsonville (Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development), checked 2026-10-19
Every North Georgia event in the finder
How far is Dawsonville?
Drive times by road
| Town | Atlanta | Alpharetta | Marietta | Lawrenceville | Athens | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawsonville | about 1 h 15 min58 mi | about 45 min34 mi | about 1 h 14 min57 mi | about 1 h 5 min42 mi | about 1 h 32 min62 mi | about 2 h 16 min99 mi |
Computed 2026-10-19 with the OSRM router on OpenStreetMap data, town centre to town centre. free-flow driving time, no traffic
Visitor information
Dawson County Chamber of Commerce & Office of Tourism Development, 44 Commerce Drive, Dawsonville, GA 30534. Official visitor site
For the town behind the moonshine-and-racing story and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, read Explore Dawsonville.
Towns near Dawsonville
- Dahlonega about 11 mi straight-line
- Cumming about 15 mi straight-line
- Ball Ground about 16 mi straight-line
Dates, times and rules can change. Each listing links the organizer or local government page it came from, with the date we checked it; confirm there before you go.
