Dawsonville is the gateway to the North Georgia mountains on GA 400, about 57 miles north of downtown Atlanta. It is known for moonshine, stock-car racing and the outlets, and Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in Georgia, is about 25 minutes away. Here are the best things to do in Dawsonville.
- From AtlantaAbout 57 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes without traffic
- CountyDawson County
- Known forAmicalola Falls, the outlets, racing and moonshine history
- Getting thereGA 400 north to GA 53
Top Things to Do in Dawsonville
1. Amicalola Falls State Park
At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest waterfall in Georgia, with stairs to the top, a lodge and the start of the Appalachian Trail approach trail. About 25 minutes northwest.
2. North Georgia Premium Outlets
About 140 name-brand outlet stores in an open-air village off GA 400.
3. Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
A museum of stock-car history in the old Thunder Road building next to City Hall, honoring Dawsonville racers such as Bill Elliott. Adult admission is about $15; call 706-216-7223 for hours.
4. Mountain Moonshine Festival
A classic-car show, live music and moonshine history downtown every October. It is one of the longest-running festivals in the country.
5. Dawson Forest WMA
About 25,500 acres of forest with trails for hiking, biking and riding outside of hunting seasons.
Events and Seasons
October is the big month, with the Mountain Moonshine Festival downtown and fall color at Amicalola. Spring is the best time to see the falls at full flow.
Nearby and Trip Planning
Dawsonville is about 30 minutes from Dahlonega and close to Cumming and Lake Lanier. Our best North Georgia waterfalls list has more hikes nearby.
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Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for North Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Dawsonville, GA known for?
Dawsonville is known for its moonshine and stock-car racing history, the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, North Georgia Premium Outlets and nearby Amicalola Falls.
How far is Amicalola Falls from Dawsonville?
Amicalola Falls State Park is about 14 miles from downtown Dawsonville, roughly 25 minutes by car.
When is the Dawsonville Moonshine Festival?
The Mountain Moonshine Festival is held in downtown Dawsonville each October.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Georgia Racing Hall of Fame: hours, admission
- Georgia State Parks: Amicalola Falls: falls, park
- North Georgia Premium Outlets: store count
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.