Ellijay, GA in October: What to Expect

We might be biased, but there is nowhere else we’d rather be during the month of October than Ellijay, Georgia. While the North Georgia mountains are incredible year-round, they really show off during Autumn.

Picture fall colors, tons of apple picking, crisp weather, and endless outdoor adventures, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate Ellijay October getaway. Come stay with us at Blue Sky Cabin Rentals and see for yourself how magical Ellijay is in the fall.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide to enjoying Ellijay in October.
 

October Weather in Ellijay

October brings incredible mild fall weather to Ellijay, Ga. The high temperatures are typically in the mid-70’s, while the low temperatures get down to the low 50’s.

Expect a mix of cloudy and sunny days during the month of October, with few rainy days. Because Ellijay is in the Eastern time zone, the sun doesn’t set until around 7 pm, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors.
 

Best Things to Do in October

The crisp fall weather sets the stage for an incredible Ellijay getaway in October. It’s the perfect time to enjoy outdoor adventures, marvel at fall foliage, and participate in all of the fun activities the city of Ellijay offers. Here are our top things to do during your October trip.

1. Go Apple Picking

Photo Credit: Body Stock

Ellijay is considered the Apple Capital of Georgia, and October is the perfect month to take advantage of all the fun apple picking opportunities nearby.

Ellijay is home to many apple orchards offering U-Pick events throughout the fall months, where you can pick all of your own apples. B.J. Reece Orchards is a local orchard that offers apple picking days/week during October. The apple variety changes based on the time of the season, but expect options varying from granny smith to gala to honey crisp apples. Once you get your fill of apple picking, head to their bakery, where you can enjoy apple pies, apple cider, and more.

Hillcrest Orchards is another popular Ellijay spot. They offer apple picking during the month of October, along with many other family-friendly activities like mini-golf, live music, and more. Their market includes a range of apple treats, from jams and jellies to delicious apple butter.

2. Visit Local Wineries

Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A

Georgia’s Blue Ridge mountains are ripe with local wineries, many of which are a short drive from Ellijay.

October is the perfect month to enjoy the end of harvesting season. There are endless wine tasting options nearby, but one of our favorite spots is Cartecay Vineyards. This local award-winning winery offers incredible mountain views, live music on the weekends, and of course, delicious wine.

Spend the day wine tasting in the Appalachian mountains - we promise you won’t regret it.

3. Explore Downtown Ellijay

Photo Credit: Dirk Ebener via Flickr CC2.0

Downtown Ellijay is a picturesque small town square lined with local shops, restaurants, and more.

The Downtown square is full of local eateries ranging from laid-back pizza joints to fine dining and everything in between. A few of our favorites include Back Porch Bistro, Ellijay Wood-Fired Pizza, and Cantaberry Restaurant.

For the history buffs, Downtown Ellijay offers the Tabor House Museum, a Victorian-era home and museum paying homage to the region’s history as well as Civil War history.

The George Link, Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse is another special spot in Downtown Ellijay. The theatre celebrates the local arts community with performances, special events, live music, and more.

4. Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Photo Credit: Matt Malone via Flickr CC2.0

Fall is the perfect time to get out and explore the Blue Ridge mountains. You could spend your whole trip engaging in outdoor adventures and never run out of things to do.

Ellijay is surrounded by tons of hiking trails. Some of our favorites include Cohutta Overlook and Fall Branch Falls, a popular waterfall hike not far from Ellijay. Many of these trails are pet-friendly and perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Ellijay is also considered the Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia, with over 50 biking trails perfect for your next adventure. There are options for beginning bikers all the way to seasoned enthusiasts, and we’ve got a list of them right here.

Finally, Ellijay is home to Carters Lake, the perfect spot for fishing, boating, kayaking, and relaxing by the lake.
 

October Events

October is one of the most festive times to visit Ellijay. Most weekends in the Fall, there is an event featuring local arts, music, and food.

1. Georgia Apple Festival

Photo Credit: Yaniv Yaakubovich via Flickr CC2.0

• Location: Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S Main Street, Ellijay, GA
• Dates: October 12-13 and October 19-20, 2024

There is nothing more quintessentially Ellijay than the annual Georgia Apple Festival. Held every October, the arts & crafts festival hosts countless local vendors featuring hand-crafted items, live music, incredible food trucks, and, of course, all things apples. People come from all over to join in on the celebration.

Georgia Apple Festival also puts on a car show on October 14th, which you won’t want to miss.

Pro Tip: Apples aren’t your thing? Check out the many North Georgia pumpkin patches instead!

2. Cherry Log Fall Festival

• Location: 341 Cherry Log Street, Cherry Log, GA
• Dates: October 5-6 and October 12-13, 2024

Just a short drive from Ellijay, the Cherry Log Fall Festival is a celebration of the Fall season. The all-day festival serves breakfast and lunch from local vendors, as well as arts & crafts, live entertainment, and plenty of glass-canned goods (think apple butter, pickled veggies, and more).
 

Packing for Your October Trip

Photo Credit: Pratchaya.Lee

As you can see, there are a range of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy during the month of October in Ellijay. You might be wondering what to pack for all of these adventures. With the mild weather of October, we recommend packing:

• Comfortable walking and/or hiking shoes
• Layers for the crisp mornings and mild days
• Water gear for Carters Lake
• A mix of casual and nice clothes

Book an Ellijay Getaway in October

October is the perfect month to take advantage of all that Ellijay has to offer. After all, how can you not visit the Apple Capital of Georgia during its peak apple season?

While apples are definitely the theme of October, there is also so much more to do and explore around Ellijay, Georgia. From the many outdoor adventures in the Blue Ridge mountains to wine tasting to relaxing in Downtown Ellijay, we know you’ll have an incredible trip this time of the year.

When you’re ready to wind down, Blue Sky Cabin rentals offer the perfect spot to relax, enjoy the hot tub and mountain views, and gear up for the next day’s adventures. We can’t wait to host you!