Photo: Thomson200, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, are one small river town split by a state line. A blue line painted through downtown lets you stand in both states at once, and the Toccoa River flows through the middle, becoming the Ocoee River when it crosses into Tennessee. McCaysville is about 102 miles from Atlanta, roughly 2 hours 5 minutes without traffic. Here are the best things to do in McCaysville, checked in October 2026.
- From AtlantaAbout 102 miles, 2 hours 5 minutes without traffic
- CountyFannin County
- Known forThe painted state line where you can stand in two states, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and the Toccoa River
- Visitor infoMcCaysville visitor center, 53 E. Market St.; hours vary, closed Wednesdays
Top Things to Do in McCaysville
1. Stand in two states
The painted blue line marking the Georgia-Tennessee border runs from the grocery store parking lot across the street toward the river, and it even runs through a few buildings. It is the town’s favorite photo stop.
2. Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Trains from downtown Blue Ridge end here after a 13-mile ride along the Toccoa River, with a two-hour layover on the four-hour excursion, long enough for lunch and a walk. See brscenic.com.
3. The Toccoa River
The river runs right through town. Upstream, toward Blue Ridge, it is one of North Georgia’s best trout streams; downstream in Tennessee it becomes the Ocoee.
4. The Old Steel Bridge
Built in 1911 to replace a ferry, the steel bridge across the river still carries traffic. The riverfront shops and restaurants are clustered around it.
5. Blue Ridge
A short drive south, Blue Ridge has the region’s biggest choice of restaurants, cabins and outfitters, plus Lake Blue Ridge and the Aska Trails.
Advertise in McCaysville
Own a cabin rental, inn, restaurant, shop or outfitter in McCaysville? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
The railway runs most of the year, with holiday trains in December (see Christmas train rides in Georgia), and fall color along the Toccoa usually peaks in late October; see our fall color report.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair McCaysville with Blue Ridge, Blairsville, Ellijay, or compare all of them in our 10 best North Georgia mountain towns. For the bigger picture, see 20 best things to do in North Georgia, the North Georgia map and our lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is McCaysville, GA known for?
McCaysville is best known for the painted state line where you can stand in two states, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and the Toccoa River.
How far is McCaysville from Atlanta?
McCaysville is about 102 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 2 hours 5 minutes by car without traffic.
Can you stand in two states in McCaysville?
Yes. McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee, share one downtown, and a blue line painted across the street marks the state line, so you can stand with one foot in each state.
Does the Blue Ridge train stop in McCaysville?
Yes. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway runs from downtown Blue Ridge to McCaysville and back, a 26-mile round trip. The four-hour excursion includes a two-hour layover in McCaysville and Copperhill.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked on October 15, 2026. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Fannin County Chamber & CVB: McCaysville visitor center
- City of Copperhill: the state line
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: route and trip lengths
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 population estimate (1,165)
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.