Dog walking in Helen

Central Helen

There's plenty of activity in central Helen, but one laid-back way to spend your time in this area is at Cool River Tubing. Here, you can float down the Chattahoochee River, and your dog is welcome to join you! You'll both love cooling off from the hot Georgia sun, and you'll have a blast doing a one or two-hour float. When you really need to beat the heat, you also have the option to do several floats on the same day when you buy a full day pass. You also have a choice of rafts with and without bottoms, so if your dog is joining you, a raft with a bottom is probably your best bet for everyone's safety.

Downtown Helen

There are plenty of good restaurants and must-see spots in Helen, and downtown Helen is a mecca for activity in the town. A favorite local restaurant in downtown Helen is called King Ludwig's Biergarten, and being an outdoor restaurant makes it very dog-friendly! There are covered areas and plenty of seating where you can enjoy a refreshing beer and delicious pub food in the company of your four-legged best friend. The friendly staff will bring out a bowl of water for your dog, and they might even get a treat or two during your visit as well.

West Blairsville

A 45-minute drive from Helen, Georgia will get you to the town of Blairsville. Blairsville is home to the Union County Recreation Center Dog Park. This vast area has a small, fenced-in, off-leash area within it, as well as a very large dog walk area where dogs must be on a leash. The park provides waste bags as well as drinking water for your pup. Your dog will have a blast taking in the sights and smells of this park, and there's a good chance they'll come across a few squirrel friends on your visit, too!

North Clarkesville

Moccasin Creek State Park in Clarkesville, Georgia is only a half an hour drive from Helen, and you and your dog will be delighted you made the trip! There are miles of different trails to explore here where your dog can hike alongside you on a leash. There are also pet-friendly camping options and plenty of other things to do in the area. There are fishing spots, a playground, a wildlife observation tower and even wi-fi throughout the park so you can keep your friends and family updated on your adventures with Rover.

Dahlonega

Only 40 minutes away from Helen in Dahlonega, Georgia, you will find Chestatee River Canoeing. You have the option of doing canoeing, kayaking, or tubing trips from here, and the well-trained staff will set you up for a perfect day on the water. This is a fun way to spend a day with your dog and also a good way to beat the heat in the summer. There are different experiences for everyone depending on how much experience you have on the water