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Member Trip Plans Member Planning Guide North Georgia
Compass Stays Member Guide

Ellijay Trip Plans

Pick the kind of day you want, open the included route, and turn your stay at Diamond Lure Campground & RV Resort into an easier North Georgia getaway.

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🚐 Arrival Day 🍷 Wine Day 🥾 Outdoor Day 🍽️ Ellijay Day 🌧️ Rain Backup
Start Here

What kind of day sounds good?

Choose what fits your mood and jump directly to the matching member trip plan.

🚐 We just arrived Low driving, campground time and a simple town loop. → 🍷 We want a winery or brewery day Scenic tastings and relaxed afternoon exploring. → 🥾 We want an outdoor adventure Waterfalls, gardens, lake views or scenic drives. → 🍽️ We want a slower food day Resort time followed by lunch or dinner in Ellijay. →
Compass Stays Tip

Keep arrival day simple.

Get checked in, look over the campground map, walk the campground and use the Ellijay town loop for an easy evening. Save the longer mountain drives for your first full day.

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Ready-Made Member Plans

Choose your Ellijay day.

Each plan gives you suggested stops, estimated travel, timing and a ready-to-open Google Maps route.

Easy Arrival Day 01

Ellijay Town Loop

A close and relaxed plan for check-in day or a simple evening near the campground.

🚗 Driving About 18–25 miles
💵 Budget About $15–$30 per adult
⏱️ Best Time Late afternoon or evening

Suggested Plan

1 Get settled into your site at the campground.
2 Walk the campground trails, see the lake, or explore the beach area.
3 Drive into downtown Ellijay and visit the park.
4 Stop at Cartecay River Brewing Company and eat at The Roof Ellijay.
5 Return to the campground for a quiet firepit evening.
Open Arrival Route
Winery and Brewery Day 02

North Georgia Sips Day

A relaxed day for couples, scenic tastings, live music and slower North Georgia exploring.

🚗 Driving About 45–65 miles
🍷 Budget Depends on tastings and food
⏱️ Best Time Afternoon into evening

Suggested Plan

1 Begin with a slow morning at the campground.
2 Visit Chateau Meichtry Family Winery.
3 Add Fainting Goat Vineyards for a longer wine day.
4 Return toward Ellijay or Ellijay for dinner.
5 Finish at Cartecay River Brewing Company if time allows.
Open Wine Route Food & Drinks Guide
Outdoor Adventure 03

Waterfall, Garden or Lake Day

Choose one larger destination and use the campground as your comfortable North Georgia basecamp.

💧 Waterfall About 85–110 miles
🌸 Gardens About 75–95 miles
🚤 Lake About 60–80 miles

Choose One Main Outing

1 Choose Amicalola Falls for waterfalls and hiking.
2 Choose Gibbs Gardens for scenic walking and seasonal gardens.
3 Choose Carters Lake for views, fishing, hiking or boating.
4 Keep dinner simple after the larger outdoor outing.
Waterfall Route Garden Route Lake Route Things To Do Guide
Slow Food Day 04

Ellijay Lunch and Campground Time

A simple plan between bigger outings or before travel day when you want to stay close.

🚗 Driving About 25–40 miles
💵 Budget About $15–$35 per adult
☕ Pace Relaxed and flexible

Suggested Plan

1 Start with a slow morning at the campground.
2 Enjoy the lake, trails, beach, playgrounds, or fire-ring area.
3 Drive into Ellijay for lunch or dinner.
4 Consider The Roof Ellijay, River Street Tavern or Cantaberry Restaurant.
5 Take a relaxed drive back to the campground.
Open Ellijay Food Loop View Food Guide
Longer-Stay Member Plan

Blue Ridge or Dahlonega Day

This full-day option works best for members staying several nights who want a larger North Georgia town experience.

🚂 Choose Blue Ridge Railway attractions, shopping, restaurants and mountain-town energy.
🏛️ Choose Dahlonega History, wineries, shops and a classic gold-rush town atmosphere.
⏱️ Allow a Full Day Leave enough time to enjoy the drive and explore without rushing back.
Open Blue Ridge Open Dahlonega View Day Trips
Weather Backup Plan

Weather changed?

Keep the day close and flexible instead of rebuilding the entire trip plan.

🌧️

Lower the Driving

Stay close to Ellijay or Ellijay when road conditions are poor.

🍽️

Use Food Stops

Build the day around a restaurant, brewery or casual indoor stop.

👣

Try Something Different

Add Expedition Bigfoot or nearby shops when the weather allows.

🚐

Enjoy the Resort

Mix in laundry, games, rest, planning, or a quiet afternoon.

Open Rainy Day Guide Food & Drinks Guide
ℹ️

Confirm current information before leaving

Mileage, pricing, operating hours, menus, reservations, attraction availability and road conditions can change. These plans make trip planning easier, but members should confirm final details directly before beginning an outing.

Continue Planning

Fill in the rest of your stay.

Use the food guide, things-to-do guide and RV essentials page to find everything else you may need around Ellijay.

Food & Drinks Things To Do RV Essentials Member Guide
Diamond Lure Verified Details

Diamond Lure information carried forward.

Easy arrival day

Settle in, walk the trails, see the lake, then use downtown Ellijay for a simple meal.

Apple-country loop

Build a seasonal day around Ellijay orchards, farm markets, cider, and mountain views.

Waterfall and garden day

Choose Amicalola Falls or Gibbs Gardens, then return for a quiet campground evening.

Lake and mountain day

Use Carters Lake or Fort Mountain for a longer outdoor outing.

Blue Ridge day trip

Combine downtown Blue Ridge, food, shopping, and mountain scenery.