Kayaking, Canoeing & Tubing
The Etowah and the Chestatee Rivers near Dahlonega provide enjoyable and challenging canoeing and kayaking with predominately Class I and II rapids.
Stargazing
There's nothing quite so spell-binding as looking up into a starry sky filled with constellations, distant planets, and a golden moon.
As a small city, miles from the big lights of the suburbs of Atlanta, Dahlonega produces minimal light pollution so you can easily view starry skies in the mountains.
George E. Coleman, Sr. Planetarium & Observatory
(706) 864-1471 (Planetarium Info) | (706) 864-8642 (Observatory Info)
UNG Health & Natural Sciences Building, Room 234, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
www.ung.edu/planetarium
Public shows on Fridays, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm during semester.
The star theater seats 46 and houses a Spitz 512 planetarium projector which can display 1000 northern and southern sky stars on a thirty-foot diameter dome. The effect is a realistic simulation of the night sky as seen from anywhere on the surface of the Earth at any time of night and at any epoch from the ancient past to the far future. In addition, an automated cove lighting system and CRT projector can provide special effects to lift you into the solar system on voyages to the planets.
The five naked-eye planets, the sun, and the moon can be projected in their correct relationship to the celestial sphere. Daily and annual motion of the stars, planets, moon (with phases) and sun provide an invaluable teaching aid for understanding the basic celestial motions and their connection to time and the seasons.
The general public and students are also invited to come out to the observatory on Friday nights after the planetarium show for celestial viewing. The Friday telescopic viewing always begins at 9:30 pm, weather permitting.
Fishing
Dahlonega is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and one-third of the county is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, making Dahlonega a great place for trout fishing.
Lake Lanier
Lake Sidney Lanier, completed in 1956 covers 38,000 acres and touches 5 counties - Lumpkin, Hall, Dawson, Forsyth and Gwinett.
Lake Zwerner
Lake Zwerner, also known as the Yahoola Creek Reservoir, is a scenic and serene destination just minutes from Downtown Dahlonega.
Pine Tree Recreation Center
Welcome to Pinetree Recreation Center, one of Lumpkin County’s premier public recreation facilities! Whether you’re looking to shoot hoops, play pickleball, or cool off in the summer sun, Pinetree offers something for…
Hunting
Welcome Hunters! Dahlonega hunting land options include the Lumpkin County Chestatee WMA with 25,000 Acres and the Blue Ridge WMA including Lumpkin, Dawson, and Fannin with 38,900 Acres.