Area Information

Beautiful Lake Burton

At an elevation of 2,000 feet, Lake Burton spreads across 2,775 acres and has 62 miles of shoreline.

Lake Burton

Nudging up against the south side of the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the most charming lakes in Georgia. Elevations here along the Eastern Continental Divide reach over 4,600 feet. Lake Burton is one of three Georgia mountain lakes in Rabun County created by the Georgia Power Company.

Rushing rivers, rock gorges, layered mountain views and Appalachian heritage dating back to the 1800‘s define the beauty of the area. More than 4,200 plants and flowers have been cataloged in the area. The natural beauty of the area has attracted movie producers for decades. More than 20 movies have been filmed in the region.

Lake Burton is located less than an hour from the North Carolina state line and is 15 minutes from downtown Clayton.

Lake Burton Marinas

LaPrade’s Marina is the only full service marina on Lake Burton. LaPrade’s was originally a fishing camp in the early 1900’s. Waterfront dining, boat rentals and boat storage are offered at LaPrade’s Marina. (706) 947-0010 (3 miles, Lake Burton, GA)

Anchorage Marine Inc. offers a wide selection of newer pontoons, ski boats, and waverunners at reasonable rental rates. (706) 782-3013 (9 miles, Clayton, GA)

Local Towns

Sugar Mill Creek finds itself on Lake Burton which is centrally located to several nearby towns all within a 30 minutes driving distance.

Clayton, GA

Clayton is a quaint community east of Sugar Mill Creek. The town is the gateway to Black Rock Mountain State Park — the highest state park in Georgia. With wildflowers, fishing, waterfalls and 80-mile views, it’s a must-visit.

Clarkesville, GA

Clarkesville is named in honor of General John C. Clark, the son of the revolutionary hero and governor of Georgia, Elijah Clarke. The downtown is bustling with antiques, art & collectibles shops, dining for all tastes, a theater and other interesting stores.

Helen, GA

Feast on delicious German delicacies and float the beautiful Chattahoochee River, which flows gently through Helen, a re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village, complete with cobblestone streets. Helen is a fascinating town.

Tallulah Falls, GA

Located two hours northeast of Atlanta, Tallulah Falls is home to Tallulah Gorge State Park. Best visited in fall when the trees surrounding the abyss turn vibrant shades of red, gold and orange, the multiple overlooks and hiking and biking trails are world-class.

Area Recreation

Sugar Mill Creek is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. This gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience the mountain lake lifestyle. Several opportunities for outdoor recreation are nearby.

Parks and Recreation

  • Moccasin Creek State Park is a 32-acre lakeside retreat offering hiking trails, fishing, and seasonal canoe rentals.
  • Timpson Cove Park has a beach and swimming area, with picnic tables, rest rooms, and parking.
  • Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area offers camping, hiking, a multitude of water activities.
  • Popcorn Overlook presents a great opportunity to stop and take in the scenery of Northeast Georgia.
  • The Appalachian Trail is accessible via US 76 just northwest of Lake Burton.
  • Unicoi State Park & Lodge is a 1,050-acre state park located immediately north-northeast of Helen, Georgia.
  • Black Rock Mountain State Park has a visitor center, campsites, cottages, hiking & fishing amid stunning mountain views.

Waterfalls

  • Hemlock Falls and Upper Moccasin Creek Falls are accessed by a 2.0 mile hiking trail across from the entrance to Moccasin Creek State Park.
  • Wildcat Creek Sliding Rock is a popular hangout for folks who like to slide down the cascade and swim in the pool.
  • Minnehaha Falls is a series of cascades located on Falls Creek in Rabun County, Georgia.
  • Anna Ruby Falls lies in the heart of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
  • Hurricane (Tallulah) Falls, Tempesta Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Oceana Falls are four of the biggest waterfalls found on the trails of Tallulah Gorge State Park.
  • Toccoa Falls is the area’s largest waterfall cascading over 185 feet and is located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College.

Outfitters

  • Sunburst Adventures has thousands of acres available for horseback riding and all kinds of outdoor activities such as ziplining, ATV trail rides, and more.
  • Blackhawk Trophy Fly Fishing provides private fly fishing trips along approximately two miles of the spring creek fed waters of the Soque River.
  • Bear Gap Outfitters offers a variety of rentals which include pontoons, jet skis and paddle boards.
  • Helen Waterpark has a pool, tall slides & a lazy river ride plus tubing trips down the Chattahoochee River.
  • Southeast Expeditions is an established outfitter providing whitewater rafting adventures, plus canoe & kayak clinics.
  • Highlands Aerial Park is an adventure park in Scaly Mountain, NC, where you can find some of the best tree canopy zip lines in the country.