Hiawassee at a glance
- CountyTowns County (county seat)
- Population, 2020 Census981U.S. Census Bureau
- Elevation1,982 ftUSGS elevation at the town centre
- From downtown Atlantaabout 2 h 24 minby road, no traffic
What to know about Hiawassee
- Hiawassee, on Lake Chatuge, is the county seat of Towns County. City of Hiawassee
- Hiawassee was incorporated on May 17, 1956, according to the city. City of Hiawassee
- Hiawassee is an Appalachian Trail Community and a Tree City USA. City of Hiawassee
- The Georgia Mountain Fair is held in August at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival runs over two October weekends in 2026 at the fairgrounds. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds has 207 campsites on the shores of Lake Chatuge. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- Mountain Country Christmas in Lights turns the fairgrounds into a walk-through holiday light show. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- Towns County Beach on Lake Chatuge is free and open to the public. Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce
- Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet, is a short drive from Hiawassee. USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
- High Shoals Falls is a series of five waterfalls with an estimated total drop of 300 feet. Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce
- Wineries near Hiawassee and Young Harris are part of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands American Viticultural Area. Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce
- The Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce is at 1411 Jack Dayton Circle, Young Harris. Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce
Coming up in Hiawassee
Hiawassee Night Market (First Friday, holiday theme)
Organizer date for 2026The First Friday artist and artisan night market on the town square, with live music, food and art. This edition has a holiday theme, with music by Steve Vaclavik. Presented by the Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority; admission is free.
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Free Source: Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce, checked 2026-10-19
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Organizer date for 2026A walk-through holiday light show at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds with Christmas music, crafts, food, train rides and visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. Christmas Eve and December 26-31 are drive-through only, at $25 per car. Walk-through admission is $12 per person, and children 12 and under get in free.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
$12 per person; children 12 and under free; drive-thru nights $25 per car Source: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, checked 2026-10-19
New Year Fireworks at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Organizer date for 2026A New Year's Eve fireworks show at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds to welcome 2027. The parking lot opens at 6 pm, and the fireworks start at 8 pm.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, checked 2026-10-19
Every North Georgia event in the finder
How far is Hiawassee?
Drive times by road
| Town | Atlanta | Alpharetta | Marietta | Lawrenceville | Athens | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiawassee | about 2 h 24 min109 mi | about 1 h 55 min82 mi | about 2 h 22 min115 mi | about 1 h 59 min83 mi | about 2 h 2 min85 mi | about 2 h 36 min114 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
Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce, 1411 Jack Dayton Circle, Young Harris, GA 30582. Official visitor site
For Lake Chatuge and the towns around it, with boat ramps, beaches and campgrounds, read Visit Lake Chatuge.
Towns near Hiawassee
- Young Harris about 5 mi straight-line
- Blairsville about 12 mi straight-line
- Helen about 17 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.
