- The City of Ellijay's festival page says there are too many exhibitors to see in one day and suggests staying the weekend, for example in a North Georgia cabin. City of Ellijay, Georgia Apple Festival 2023 2nd weekend
Places to stay in and around Ellijay
Best Western Mountain View Inn
hotel
43 Coosawattee Drive, East Ellijay, GA 30540
Hotel in East Ellijay beside the APD Highway (GA 5/515), southeast of the fairgrounds. Its own site lists an indoor heated pool and hot tub, suites with whirlpool tubs, and breakfast served daily 7-9 a.m., and gives the address as 94 Mountain View Drive; the Gilmer Chamber lists 43 Coosawattee Drive.
Source: Best Western Mountain View Inn (hotel's own site), checked 2026-10-19
Comfort Inn & Suites East Ellijay
hotel
234 Highland Pkwy, East Ellijay, GA 30540
Chain hotel on Highland Parkway in East Ellijay.
Source: Comfort Inn & Suites East Ellijay (Choice Hotels official site), checked 2026-10-19
SpringHill Suites Ellijay
hotel
50 Cinema Drive, East Ellijay, GA 30540
Marriott all-suite hotel in East Ellijay.
Source: SpringHill Suites Ellijay (Marriott official site), checked 2026-10-19
Ellijay River House
bed and breakfast
128 River Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
Adults-only bed and breakfast in a 1915 Craftsman house beside the Ellijay River downtown. Its site lists four bedrooms with private baths and a chef-cooked breakfast; guests must be 18 or older.
Source: Ellijay River House (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Diamond Lure Campground & RV Resort
campground and RV park
514 Diamond Lure Road, Ellijay, GA 30536
Campground with RV and tent sites. Its site lists 64 full-hookup RV sites, most of them pull-through, plus a tent area, laundry and bathhouses, an enclosed dog park and a dog beach on the lake.
Source: Diamond Lure Campground & RV Resort (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Plum Nelly RV Park and Campground
RV park
15828 S. Hwy. 515, Ellijay, GA 30536
Family-owned RV park off Hwy. 515 south of downtown. Its site lists 50+ pull-through and back-in sites with full hookups (30/50-amp, water, sewer), a picnic table and fire ring at each site, and private restrooms; reservations are by phone.
Source: Plum Nelly RV Park (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Talona Ridge RV Resort
RV park
723 Highland Parkway, East Ellijay, GA 30540
RV resort in East Ellijay with paved sites up to 100 feet and full 30/50-amp hookups. Its site lists two pools (one adults-only), a dog park, laundry, a welcome-center store and RV rentals already set up on site.
Source: Talona Ridge RV Resort (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp
campground and cabins
400 Mulberry Gap Road, Ellijay, GA 30540
Mountain-bike and outdoor basecamp with cabins and 11 campsites in the forest northwest of Ellijay. Its site says weekends generally require a two-night minimum and that overnight lodging runs from late February to mid-December.
Source: Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Coosawattee River Resort
resort (villas and RV park)
634 Beaver Lake Drive, Ellijay, GA 30540
Gated 5,500-acre river resort community whose site offers 2- and 3-bedroom villas and lodges, plus the Ogden RV Park with 10 full-hookup sites for campers under 30 feet. Its site lists three pools and river tubing access.
Source: Coosawattee River Resort (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Apple Country RV Resort
RV park
179 Courier St, Ellijay, GA 30540
Family-owned RV resort in Ellijay; its site says all RVs must have full hookups and lists a pool, laundry, dog park, dog wash, playground, fire pits, shower house and Wi-Fi. Its policies allow up to two household pets (cats and dogs) per site.
Source: Apple Country RV Resort (official site), checked 2026-10-19
Bringing a dog
- Pets are not allowed at the Georgia Apple Festival. Service animals are allowed. Georgia Apple Festival (official site), FAQs
- The festival has offered on-site kennel service in the past but said it could not provide it this year. Georgia Apple Festival (official site), Home
- Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the Apple Arts Festival. Gilmer County Chamber, Apple Arts Festival: FAQs
If you are thinking about a place of your own up here rather than a rental, our sister guide Ellijay Cabins for Sale covers cabins for sale around Ellijay.
Questions
How long should I plan to spend at the Georgia Apple Festival?
The City of Ellijay suggests more than one day. Its festival page says there are too many exhibitors to see in a single-day visit and recommends staying the weekend, for example in a North Georgia cabin. Each festival day runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Source: City of Ellijay, Georgia Apple Festival page; Georgia Apple Festival (official site), FAQs
Where is the visitor center in Ellijay?
The Gilmer Downtown Welcome Center is at 10 Broad Street, Ellijay, and is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; its phone is (706) 635-7401. The Gilmer Chamber office is at 696 First Avenue in East Ellijay, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., phone (706) 635-7400.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber, Contact
Are there many second homes in Gilmer County?
The 2020 Census counted 17,717 housing units in Gilmer County. Of those, 4,885 were vacant, and 3,336 of the vacant units were held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. The New Georgia Encyclopedia says Ellijay has become a hub for visitors and for a growing number of second-home owners.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census Tables H1 and H5 (Gilmer County); New Georgia Encyclopedia, Ellijay
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Georgia Apple Festival (official site)
