Cabins or cottages
The Cardinal Hill
Vacation rentals on a 50-acre alpaca farm in the wine-country area east of Dahlonega near Kaya and Frogtown wineries, plus a separate house on the Chattahoochee River.
about 21 min by car to the squareThe Nest, Wine Country Retreat and The Cottage on the farm, plus The River House a short drive away
- Children welcome source
- Full kitchen source
- Mountain views source
- Creek or river source
- Weddings and events source
- No: dogs welcome source
Details from The Cardinal Hill: North Georgia Vacation Rental Lodging in Dahlonega, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Downtown hotel
27 on Park Boutique Hotel & Venue
Boutique hotel and event venue on South Park Street at the Public Square in downtown Dahlonega.
A walk to the square: 0.1 km in a straight line14 rooms
Details from 27 on Park – Dahlonega, Georgia, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Downtown hotel
The Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas
Boutique hotel in the restored 1880s McGuire house on North Chestatee Street near the Public Square, with a Kaya Vineyard wine tasting room in the lobby and separately located villas.
A walk to the square: 0.1 km in a straight lineTwelve hotel rooms (six king, six double queen) and the McGuire Suite, plus villas
- No: dogs welcome source
Details from The Dahlonega Square Hotel: Hotel, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Inn
The Smith House
Historic inn and family-style restaurant on South Chestatee Street, one block off the Public Square, with rooms in the Historic Inn and newer Lodge plus villas and cottages.
A walk to the square: 0.2 km in a straight lineHistoric Inn: sixteen rooms; Lodge: twenty-four rooms; four villas; three cottages (as stated on the home page)
Details from The Smith House: Family Dining, Lodging and Country Store, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Inn
The Limelight Inn
Family-run inn on Highway 52 West, about 10 minutes from downtown Dahlonega, with motel-style guest rooms, cottages and a rehearsal pavilion.
about 9 min by car to the square11 guest rooms (3 king, 8 double queen) and 4 cottages
- No: dogs welcome source
Details from The Limelight Inn: Home, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Inn
Barefoot Hills
Boutique hotel on US Highway 19 North, north of Dahlonega toward the mountains, overlooking vineyards, with kayak rentals and outdoor games for guests.
about 12 min by car to the square
Details from Barefoot Hills | Dahlonega Boutique Hotel, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Bed and breakfast
Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa
Bed and breakfast with an on-site day spa on Talmer Grizzle Road outside Dahlonega, with suites in the main inn and the separate Dancing Bear Cottage.
about 13 min by car to the squareSeven suites and one cottage
- Hot tub source
- Full kitchen source
- Breakfast included source
- Mountain views source
- Weddings and events source
Details from Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa: Dahlonega, GA Bed and Breakfast, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Bed and breakfast
The Inn at Blackberry Hill
Five-room bed and breakfast on Barrett Circle in Dahlonega, set up as an adult environment.
about 13 min by car to the squarefive guest rooms
Details from The Inn at Blackberry Hill – Bed and Breakfast in Dahlonega, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Vineyard stay
Tumlin House & Vineyard
Nineteenth-century house with a small vineyard on Choice Avenue, a few blocks from downtown Dahlonega, rented for group stays and events.
A walk to the square: 0.2 km in a straight linesleeps up to 14 people
Details from Tumlin House & Vineyard: Home, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Vineyard stay
Cavender Creek Vineyard & Winery lodging
Working vineyard and winery on Cavender Creek Road with three rental houses on the property and a barn used for weddings and parties.
about 13 min by car to the squarethree rentals: Winemaker's Cottage, Petit House and Shepherd's Cabin
Details from Cavender Creek Vineyard & Winery: Lodging, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Lodge or resort
The Mountain Top Lodge
Small hotel and restaurant on a hilltop off Mountain Top Lodge Road outside Dahlonega, with rooms in the main lodge, the Hillside Lodge and separate cabins.
about 14 min by car to the squareMain lodge: 9 rooms; Hillside Lodge: four suites; plus cabins
Details from The Mountain Top Lodge: Guest Rooms & Suites, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Lodge or resort
Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard
Resort on a 72-acre property off Blueberry Hill near Dahlonega with inn rooms, villa rooms, cabins and A-frames, plus a restaurant, spa and its own 'Twisted' wine label.
about 18 min by car to the square11 bed-and-breakfast-style rooms, three Villa rooms plus the Villa Suite, 8 cabin units, and A-frames
- No: dogs welcome source
Details from Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard: Lodging, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Vineyard stay
Montaluce Winery Villa Rentals
Four privately owned villas for rent at Montaluce Winery & Restaurant on Hightower Church Road northwest of Dahlonega, overlooking the winery's vineyards.
about 21 min by car to the squarefour privately-owned Tuscan style villas
Details from Montaluce Winery & Restaurant: Villa Rentals, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Lodge or resort
Forrest Hills Resort
Family-owned resort on a 140-acre wooded property west of Dahlonega, open since 1977, with cabins, hotel rooms and suites, group lodges, dining and wedding venues.
about 25 min by car to the squareCabins, hotel rooms and suites, and group lodges on a 140-acre property
Details from Forrest Hills Resort: Stay, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Campground or RV park
Iron Mountain Park
Privately owned 4,300-acre off-road riding park west of Dahlonega with RV campground, primitive camping, a bunkhouse and family cabins, open year-round.
about 18 min by car to the squareBunkhouse and family cabins; campground with full hookup; primitive camping
- Weddings and events source
Details from Iron Mountain Park | ATV, UTV & SXS Riding in North Georgia, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
State park or forest lodging · Dawson County
Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
State park lodge, cabins and campground at Amicalola Falls in Dawson County, west of Dahlonega, with a restaurant and trail access to the 729-foot falls.
about 34 min by car to the square57 lodge rooms, 13 cabins, 18 tent/RV campsites
Details from Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge: Accommodations, checked October 19, 2026. We do not take bookings or show prices.
Dates to plan around
Big festival weekends fill rooms across town. Hold your block early, or pick another weekend.
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
Organizer date for 2027Free bluegrass and old-time concerts, storytelling and a juried artist market.
Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18, 2027.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Bear on the Square Mountain Festival (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Dahlonega's 4th of July Celebration
Organizer date for 2027Parade and concert downtown, then fireworks at the UNG Drill Field.
Sunday, July 4, 2027.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Downtown Dahlonega: Dahlonega's 4th of July Celebration 2027, checked 2026-10-19
Gold Rush Days Festival
Organizer date for 2027Dahlonega's largest yearly festival, with a parade and vendors.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Gold Rush Days Festival (official site), checked 2026-10-19
- Gold Rush Days 2027 is Oct. 16-17, 2027, per the festival's official site. The festival is the organizers' only fundraiser of the year. Gold Rush Days Festival (official site)
- Bear on the Square Mountain Festival 2027 is Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18, with free bluegrass and old-time concerts and 70+ artist booths around the Historic Square. Bear on the Square Mountain Festival (official site)
Questions
How far ahead should I book a fall cabin in North Georgia?
Book as early as you can. Georgia State Parks says its cottages, yurts and campsites often book up a year in advance for fall, and you can reserve now for next fall. Private cabins near Dahlonega face the same October demand, especially on Gold Rush Days weekend, which falls on the third weekend of October.
When is Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega?
Gold Rush Days is held on the third weekend of October. The 2026 festival was Oct. 17-18. The official festival site lists Oct. 16-17, 2027 for next year. It is Dahlonega's largest yearly festival, so rooms in and near town fill early; book months ahead and expect heavy traffic and parking demand downtown.
Source: Gold Rush Days Festival (official site)
When should I book lodging for Gold Rush Days?
Book months ahead. Gold Rush Days 2027 is Oct. 16-17, which also falls close to the usual late-October fall color window. Georgia State Parks notes that fall cottages and campsites can book up a year ahead. Check cancellation terms when you reserve, and plan on parking well away from the square on festival days.
Source: Gold Rush Days Festival (official site)
What happens in Dahlonega at Christmas?
Dahlonega's Christmas season runs from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of January. For 2026, the Lighting of the Square is Friday, Nov. 27, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Visitors Center. The Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 12, at noon. Santa visits run through Dec. 29, and a Christmas Market runs Dec. 5-13.
Source: Christmas in Dahlonega: Schedule/Parking
When is the Six Gap Century bike ride?
The Six Gap Century is held on the last weekend of September, based at Lumpkin County High School in Dahlonega. The 2026 edition was Sept. 26-27, with an expo and the Six Gap, Three Gap and Valley rides. The 2027 date had not been posted. Thousands of cyclists come, so book early for that weekend.
Source: Six Gap Century official registration page (RunSignup)
Do university events affect hotel availability in Dahlonega?
They can. The University of North Georgia's Dahlonega campus holds fall commencement on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 8-9, 2026, at the UNG Convocation Center. Spring 2027 finals end May 7; spring commencement dates were not yet posted. New-student move-in for fall 2026 was Aug. 6-8, and fall 2027 classes start Aug. 16.
What is the hotel tax in Dahlonega?
Stays inside the City of Dahlonega carry an 8% city accommodation (hotel-motel) tax. Unincorporated Lumpkin County also charges 8%. Georgia adds a $5.00 per-night State Hotel-Motel Fee, and the county's sales tax rate is 8%. Taxes and fees on a specific booking depend on the property's location and how it is booked.
Source: City of Dahlonega: Accommodation Excise Tax Return (rev. 05/2024)
What is the $5 Georgia hotel fee?
Georgia's State Hotel-Motel Fee is $5.00 for each night you rent a hotel room, cabin or other short-term rental, collected by the innkeeper or the booking platform. It is a flat amount, not a percentage. The fee stops on the 31st day of uninterrupted stay by the same customer, and reward nights still count.
Source: Georgia Department of Revenue: State Hotel-Motel FAQ
Are there pet-friendly cabins near Dahlonega?
Some. Georgia State Parks says some of its parks have dog-friendly cabins, though pets are barred from lodges, yurts and park buildings. Private cabins set their own pet policies and fees, so confirm in writing before you book, including size limits and whether dogs may be left alone in the cabin.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Park Rules
When do Appalachian Trail thru-hikers start in Georgia?
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says northbound is the most popular way to thru-hike, and the trail is most crowded from mid-February to mid-April. Most thru-hikers take five to seven months to cover more than 2,190 miles. Lodging near Amicalola Falls and Dahlonega sees hiker demand in late winter and early spring.
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center