7 Secluded Georgia Lodges Where Scenic Views And Memorable Dinners Await
A state-owned mountain resort in Georgia sets out a prime rib buffet on Saturday nights. I had to read that twice.
The forest is protected, and somehow it also comes with carved beef.
That little fact sent me looking for more lodges like it. I found a hotel that has welcomed guests since 1922.
I found a log-style lodge with a giant fireplace and a porch made for eating outdoors.
None of these spots sit on busy city corners. You reach them on winding roads lined with trees, where cell signal starts to fade.
I love that the prize at the end of the drive is a thick slice of prime rib.
So what makes a lodge worth the trip? For me, the answer is simple.
A quiet room, a long view of the woods, and a dinner plate you will want to finish slowly.
1. Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Your Saturday night plans just got a lot easier, because the state of Georgia owns a resort with a prime rib buffet. Yes, really.
The Dining Room offers resort dining in a scenic mountain setting, but guests should check the current menu and buffet schedule before visiting.
The property covers 503 acres in the North Georgia mountains. It was planned to protect that land, so the trees stay put while you eat.
Prime rib isn’t limited to the weekend buffet, either. Brassies Bar and Grill, also on site, serves a Prime Rib Panini.
That’s a smart lunch move if you can’t wait until Saturday.
Plenty of ways exist to work up an appetite here. The resort has a championship golf course, equestrian stables for guided trail rides, and tennis courts.
Hikers get more than nine miles of trails to explore.
Rest days have options too. The Equani Spa handles the relaxing part, and you can swim in heated pools indoors or outdoors.
A fitness center is ready if you feel guilty about seconds.
Rooms come in two flavors. You can book a lodge guestroom or one of the secluded four-bedroom log cottages.
Many have gas-log fireplaces and balconies, which feel made for mountain evenings.
The lodge got a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2016, so the rooms aren’t stuck in the past. Plan your stay around a Saturday, though.
Missing that buffet by one night would sting a little.
Address: 6321 US-76, Young Harris, GA 30582
2. Copperhead Lodge & Resort
Wednesdays tend to be the most boring day of the week, but not in Blairsville. The on-site restaurant here, The Flying Trout, runs Prime Rib Wednesdays.
Suddenly the middle of the week has something to look forward to.
The kitchen leans on fresh ingredients and locally sourced meat and fish. Staff here also have a reputation for being attentive and professional, which matters when dinner is the main event.
Size is the first thing to know about this place. The lodge is colossal and rustic, built in a large log-cabin style.
It sits in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Georgia, near Copperhead Creek.
Step into the grand lobby and you’ll find an oversized fireplace. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to linger before heading to your table.
The lodge itself has plenty of character.
Outdoor dining happens on a wrap-around covered porch. That means you can eat your prime rib with mountain air instead of a ceiling fan.
A seasonal pool adds summer fun.
You get choices when it comes to sleeping. Hotel suites are inside the lodge, and log cabin rentals sit on the property.
Families or friend groups might like the extra room a cabin offers.
Free outdoor events also pop up at the resort. Check the schedule before you go, since you might catch something fun.
Then line up your trip so Wednesday falls right in the middle.
Address: 171 Copperhead Pkwy, Blairsville, GA 30512
3. Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant
Back in 1922, this lodge opened its doors, and guests have been showing up hungry ever since. That’s more than a century of mountain dinners.
Few places can claim that kind of staying power.
The hotel sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains, right across from Lake Rabun. Chattahoochee National Forest is close by, so the setting feels far from everyday noise.
Dinner is a major attraction here, with a menu that features seasonal dishes and regional ingredients. The pecan crusted mountain trout is the signature plate.
Explore Georgia even named it one of the Top 100 Meals Loved by Locals. Can’t decide what else to order?
Bring a friend and share a few plates.
The kitchen follows a farm-to-table approach built around local produce. Meats are humanely raised, and the seafood is wild-caught.
So the menu can shift as the year moves along.
You can eat inside the dining room or out on a deck under a canopy of pines. The dining room has a fireplace, which sounds perfect on a chilly night.
The deck wins on summer evenings.
Timing matters, so pay attention. Dinner runs Wednesday through Saturday, from 5 to 9 p.m., though the schedule can change with the seasons.
Reservations are recommended, so don’t just wing it.
Staying overnight is easy, with rooms and cottages on site. Massages are available too, and the Forest Lodge event center hosts gatherings.
Restored in 2008, the old lodge still holds onto its rustic mountain charm. Tree trunk supports and stone fireplaces give it loads of character, plus a friendly staff to match.
Address: 35 Andrea Ln, Lakemont, GA 30552
4. Forrest Hills Resort
Gold rush history made Dahlonega famous, but the hills around town hold another kind of treasure. Forrest Hills Resort sits in the wooded foothills of the North Georgia mountains.
It spreads across 140 acres of wilderness between Dahlonega and Amicalola Falls, close to the Appalachian Trail.
This is a resort that likes to keep you busy. Sports, horseback riding, and a spa are all part of the package.
An outdoor pool, hiking trails, and an evening firepit round out the options. You could fill a whole weekend without leaving.
Lodging comes in several styles. Suites, lodges, and cabins are spread across the property.
Pick a cabin if you want the most woodsy feel. Some deluxe cabins even come with private hot tubs and valley views.
Dinner service includes prime rib as a main dish. Pork and ham have shown up alongside it too.
That gives meat lovers a few directions to go.
Hours shift during the week, so plan around them. The Secret Garden Dining Room serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., while Sunday brunch is offered in the Hideaway Dining Room.
On pleasant evenings, the restaurant deck lets you dine surrounded by trees and fresh mountain air.
A trip here works well as a full escape. Spend the day on horseback, then head to the spa.
Finish with dinner as the woods go dark outside.
The scenic setting is a big part of the appeal. Wooded hills wrap around the property in every direction you look.
It’s a fine base for exploring this corner of Georgia, too.
Address: 135 Forrest Hills Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
5. Lake Blackshear Retreat & Conference Center
South Georgia flips the script on this list by trading mountains for a lake. The lodge sits inside Georgia Veterans State Park near Cordele.
Pecan trees grow by the hundreds of thousands in this part of the state.
So yes, you’re still surrounded by trees. They just happen to grow pecans instead of pine cones.
Most rooms and cabins come with lake views. That’s a nice bonus when you wake up early.
Coffee tastes better facing calm water.
Two restaurants operate on the property. Cordelia’s overlooks the lake and gardens, serving everything from a country breakfast to a more elegant dinner.
Prime rib appears on the dinner service, so you don’t need to leave the park to find it. Ask your server about the night’s lineup when you sit down.
The Cypress Grill at the Marina keeps things casual. Shareable plates and hearty American favorites make it an easy pick for a laid-back lunch by the shoreline.
The setting around Lake Blackshear is beautiful and calm. It makes unwinding easy, even if you only stay one night.
Long weekends feel even better here.
You’ve got more than food to keep you busy. An outdoor pool is ready for hot days.
A beach on the lake gives you sand without a trip to the coast. The resort’s golf course offers another way to fill a sunny afternoon.
The retreat also works for groups. It’s a conference center as well as a lodge, so bigger gatherings fit right in.
Family reunions could do a lot worse.
Pick a cabin if you want space to spread out. Then spend the evening on the water, and save room for dinner afterward.
Address: 2459 US-280 West, Cordele, GA 31015
6. Unicoi State Park & Lodge
A mountain getaway feels even better when dinner is waiting at the end of the day. Unicoi State Park & Lodge offers exactly that kind of escape near Helen.
The lodge sits inside a 1,050-acre state park surrounded by the North Georgia mountains. Forest trails and peaceful scenery make the setting feel wonderfully removed from busy streets.
You can spend hours exploring the outdoors before thinking about dinner.
The on-site Unicoi Restaurant serves Southern and American favorites in a comfortable mountain setting. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, so hungry guests always have somewhere to go.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are part of the experience. Local mountain trout is one of the regional touches worth looking for on the menu.
Smith Creek Tavern offers another option when you’re ready for something more casual. It takes its name from the mountain stream that flows from Anna Ruby Falls through the park.
Its relaxed dining area is a good spot to catch a game over casual bites.
There’s plenty to do beyond the restaurants. Unicoi State Park is known for its hiking trails, mountain scenery, and outdoor recreation.
Archery, hatchet throwing, and water activities on Unicoi Lake add even more ways to fill the afternoon.
Accommodations include 100 lodge rooms plus a selection of cabins, including the park’s well-known barrel cabins.
The best part might be the peaceful atmosphere once evening arrives. Forest views and mountain air make it easy to forget about your usual schedule.
Check the restaurant menus before arriving, especially if you’re hoping for a particular dinner special.
Address: 1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA 30545
7. Callaway Resort & Gardens
Pine Mountain has a resort where the scenery might compete with dinner for your attention. Callaway Resort & Gardens combines comfortable accommodations with beautiful natural surroundings.
Cason and Virginia Callaway opened the property in 1952, and it has welcomed visitors ever since. It’s famous for its gardens, woodland landscapes, and outdoor recreation.
It’s the kind of destination where you can easily turn dinner plans into a weekend getaway.
The Piedmont Dining Room is one of the main attractions for hungry visitors.
Located inside The Lodge & Spa, it focuses on sophisticated Southern cooking. Its menu includes grilled steaks, seafood, and chef-prepared specialties.
Dinner is served daily, making it convenient for guests staying overnight.
Special menus appear around Thanksgiving and Christmas, so reservations are a smart move during busy seasons.
You can enjoy a satisfying meal without driving away from the resort.
Cason’s Tap Room offers another dining option with a Southern-inspired menu. Some of its recipes come from the Callaway family cookbook, which adds a personal touch.
Its relaxed atmosphere makes it a nice choice after a busy afternoon.
There’s something appealing about having several restaurants within the same resort.
Accommodations include rooms at the lodge, cottages, and other lodging options across the property. Overnight guests also receive free daily admission to the Gardens throughout their stay.
Nature lovers have plenty of reasons to explore before dinner.
Walking paths, azalea gardens, and scenic outdoor spaces make the surroundings especially inviting. The resort offers opportunities to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty at a comfortable pace.
Plan your visit around the restaurant’s current menu if a particular beef dish is your priority.
Address: 17617 US-27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822.
