Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County which consist of Blue Ridge, McCaysville, Mineral Bluff, Morganton and Epworth. The two towns in the county are in Blue Ridge and McCaysville.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge was first settled in the 1800s as a railroad stop and the neighboring town of McCaysville, Georgia on the Tennessee/Georgia line was first settled. Prior to European colonization, the area that is now Blue Ridge was inhabited by the Cherokee people and other Indigenous peoples for thousands of years1. The town was laid out in 1886 when the Marietta and North Georgia Railroad was extended to that point and was incorporated in 1887123. In 1895, the seat of Fannin County was transferred to Blue Ridge from Morganton. Today, Blue Ridge is a quaint mountain town in Fannin County, Georgia, with shops, art galleries, restaurants, and breweries in its downtown area. The area is also known for its outdoors, including hikes, whitewater rafting, trout fishing, and wildlife spotting. Blue Ridge is situated in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, which has 106,000 acres of land, 300 miles of hiking trails, and 100 miles of trout streams. Incorporated in 1887 and located in the northeast corner of Georgia, the City of Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County. The City consists of 2.2 square miles. Named for the southern reach of the Appalachian Mountain Range that stretches into the area, the City of Blue Ridge boasts beautiful mountain views. With key water features, such as Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River, Blue Ridge is the Trout Fishing Capital of Georgia. As well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail, the area draws tourists and outdoors men from all over.

The downtown area boasts quaint shops and eclectic restaurants along with festivals and plenty of activities for residents and tourists all in a small town setting. Tracks for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway bisect the downtown area, with the Scenic Railway itself operating out of the town's historic 100 year old Depot. The downtown area also serves as host for multiple festivals and the City is home to one of the few drive-ins in North Georgia, the Swan Drive-In theater.

McCaysville!

McCaysville, known as the “stateline city” is nestled along the Toccoa River and is situated on the border of Georgia and Tennessee. This historic city was established in 1904 as a copper mining town, but thrives today with a dynamic city center anchored by Riverwalk Shops and featuring fantastic restaurants, boutique shopping, and the largest entertainment venue in North Georgia! This historic town, founded in 1904, is located at the northern end of Fannin County, where Georgia meets Tennessee. You can stroll along the charming Main Street, browse the antique shops and art galleries, and enjoy the local cuisine. Don't miss the opportunity to see the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which runs along the Toccoa River and offers scenic views of the countryside. You can also witness the unique sight of two rivers, the Toccoa and the Ocoee, converging at the state line, forming a natural boundary between the two states. McCaysville is a town that offers a blend of history, nature, and culture in a beautiful mountain setting.

McCaysville hosts several legendary events, including the Summer 'Light Up McCaysville' featuring Independence Day fireworks, Winter 'Light Up McCaysville' featuring dazzling holiday lights, and the Riverwalk Run Series, America's only 2-state, 5K road series. Visitors can arrive by land, by river, or by train track. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway brings over 90,000 passengers a year. The stateline marker between McCaysville, GA and Copperhill, TN is celebrated with "Blue Line" painted through the intersection of both towns! You can have your picture taken with one foot in each state.

The Toccoa River flows through the center of town, changing its name to the Ocoee River as it crosses into Tennessee. Our communities are united by the famous steel-truss bridge that was once located along the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge, GA but then disassembled and reassembled downstream here in McCaysville. It’s a great place to Shop, Dine and Unnwind.