If you’re looking for a weekend away from the city to enjoy nature and reset, Big Canoe is the perfect place! Only an hour north of Atlanta, Big Canoe is a private community located in Pickens County, Georgia. The community includes a variety of amenities including two golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, hiking trails, a splash pad and a water slide! Big Canoe is also home to two freshwater lakes which offer opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Even though the community is home to approximately 3,000 residents, the amenities were never crowded and I didn’t meet many cars on the road.
Where to Stay in Big Canoe
You can find cabins and houses to rent on Airbnb, Vrbo, or Mountain Vista Rentals for any size family. We personally rented off of Airbnb and stayed in a modern 3 bed cabin that sleeps 8 people. With a game room, large living room, gas & charcoal grills, 3 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms, this Airbnb was perfect for 6 of us that went! My favorite part of this cabin was definitely the large screened porch!
What to do During your Stay
With so many amenities, you don’t have to leave the resort! I recommend spending a full day at the Beach Club. The beach club is $20 per person, giving you access to a large pool, a beach area, paddle boats, paddle boards & kayaks, a man made rock slide, and an obstacle course in the lake for kids. The wristband is good for the whole day, so you are free to come and go as you please. You can bring your own snacks or grab lunch at the Beach Club Grille.
Spend the next day at the Wildcat Recreation Center at the large pool and splash pad for the kids. The splash pad is only 1.5ft deep so it’s perfect for young children, my nephews loved playing in it! Pack your lunch and enjoy it under the covered pavilion then head back in the pool.
After enjoying the day at the pool, head over to the Marina and rent a pontoon boat for the rest of the afternoon. Enjoy cruising around the lake and jumping from the boat for a refreshing dip.
Tip: You have to rent the photon boat for a minimum of 2 hours but if you rent from 4:00-6:00 they let you keep it the rest of the afternoon for no additional charge.
If you are staying for longer you can venture out of the community to Ellijay River Outfitters. Around 30 minutes from big Canoe, here you can tube down the Cartecay River.
Where to Eat in Big Canoe
- Mountain Grill at the Clubhouse on Lake Sconti- features a magnificent dining room with some of the best views in Big Canoe.
- Black Bear Pub & Sunset Veranda- perfect if you’re are looking for a casual bite. Enjoy one of the many beer options on tap while watching a game on the big-screen TV or sit outside on the beautiful Veranda. Both located at The Clubhouse.
- Duffers- Located right by the golf course, you can grab a quick bite without interrupting your game. Duffers serves a variety of sandwiches, burgers, & cold beer with an outdoor seating area.
There are more options outside the community, however it might take 20-30 minutes to get to them. We opted to bring in some groceries and cook most of our meals. If your looking for a sweet treat, be sure to stop by Polar Bear Ice & Coffee. Its located right out the North Gate, next to the Dollar General.
What ever you decide to do, Big Canoe is perfect for couples & alike to escape the city and enjoy the outdoors! Be sure to checkout their page for more information on the Big Canoe Community!
