Steep Drives & Amazing Views at Bell Mountain Park
Enjoy Georgia’s stunning scenery with this quick guide to Bell Mountain Park.
Bell Mountain Park is a historical park located just outside Hiawassee Georgia. It’s know for its painted rocks, incredible mountain views, and the steep steep drive up to the top.
We stumbled upon this park during our stay at Uni Coi State Park and were BLOWN away by the incredible views of Hiawassee and the North Georgia Mountains. This is a great family and pet friendly way to see the beauty that is North Georgia. If you have an afternoon to spare we think this is a great stop!
ABOUT BELL MOUNTAIN PARK
Before Bell Mountain become a park it was mined for quartzite in the 60’s. The high cost of extracting the quartzite led to the project eventually closing down and it then became a part of the Hal Harrin Estate. In 2015 the Hal Harrin Estate decided to donate the 18 acres of Bell Mountain to Town County to keep the land protected and allow everyone to enjoy the park.
ENTRANCE FEE
Free
HOURS OF OPERATION
Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
PET POLICY
Leashed pets are allowed at both observation decks.
Bell Mountain is also known for its graffiti which you’ll find all over the property. It’s important to note that painting on the rocks is allowed but not on any other part of the park.
GETTING TO BELL MOUNTAIN PARK
Bell Mountain Park is located just outside the town of Hiawassee in Northern Georgia. To get to Bell Mountain Park drive the steep 1.5 miles up Shake Rag Rd. and park at the Hal Harrin Overlook.
WARNING: Drive with caution. This road is VERY steep.
Average Grade 12.7% | Highest Grade 21.5%
The drive up to this park might not be for everyone. We were in a Ram 1500 and there were moments it felt like we were on a roller coaster going straight up. A bit frightening but it’s doable with some confidence. We parked right before the sign and walked the rest of the way. At the top we saw a Tesla, Jeep, and several Sedans.
Once you make it to the top you’ll notice graffiti covering almost everything. It wasn’t something we particularly thought looked nice but it’s something the park allows.
There are two observation decks to take in the amazing views. The first one is a fenced in wheel chair accessible platform with great views of Hiawassee. The second observation deck is located at the top of a set wooden stairs with plenty of spots to enjoy the views.
From here you get 360 degree views of the North Georgia Mountains and the town of Hiawassee. The second observation deck was a favorite as the views are unbeatable and our dogs loved it.
Let us know if you’ve ever been to Bell Mountain Park and what you thought of it in the comments below!
Check out our reel exploring Bell Mountain Park on Instagram.
SAVE THIS GUIDE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP!
LOOKING FOR MORE GEORGIA?
HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Enjoy 360 degree views from the highest point in Georgia with this quick travel guide.