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The quaint mountain town of Helen, Georgia, is a popular year-round destination for a reason. Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, this alpine village is known for its picturesque landscape, Bavarian-style architecture, and delicious German food.
One of the first things to think through when booking at Blue Creek Cabins is the time of year you want to visit. Each season offers its own unique experiences, from water activities in the summer to cozy snowy days in the winter. Since the best time of the year is different for everybody, let’s find the ideal time to visit!
The Most Popular Season in Helen
The busiest time of the year in Helen is, of course, Oktoberfest. Helen hosts one of the country’s most famous Oktoberfest celebrations each October, with visitors coming from all over the world to participate. There’s traditional polka dancing, delicious German food, and plenty of events all month long to mark this German holiday.
If your ideal vacation involves larger crowds and daily festivities, you will love visiting Helen for Oktoberfest. But don’t worry - if Oktoberfest isn’t your thing, there’s something special about every season here in Helen.
Helen in Every Season
Spring
Photo Credit: gracious_tiger
Helen comes alive in the Spring. Located in the south (just one hour north of Atlanta), Helen offers a welcomed reprieve from the chilly winter as early as March. March highs are in the 60s, but by April, they climb to the 70s throughout May.
The mild Spring weather offers the perfect atmosphere for enjoying the many outdoor adventures nearby. It’s a great time to explore the Chattahoochee National Forest by hiking or mountain biking. Want to zipline through the Blue Ridge mountains? Head to Unicoi Zipline and Aerial Adventure Park for the adventure of a lifetime.
Spring is also the best time of the year to see waterfalls! Don’t miss out on going waterfall chasing at nearby spots like Anna Ruby Falls and Desoto Falls.
We recommend packing layers for your Spring trip, as the weather can be chilly in the morning and warm up during the day.
Visiting in Spring is right for you if you:
- Love beautiful scenery
- Enjoy outdoor activities
- Looking for waterfalls
- Want fewer crowds
Summer
Photo Credit: Fotoluminate LLC
Summertime in Helen offers its own unique adventures. June-August is the hottest time of the year, with temperatures rising to the 80s in June and reaching the 90s in July and August.
There’s no better way to cool off than water activities on the Chattahoochee River, which runs right through Downtown Helen. On any given day, you’ll find locals and visitors tubing down the river with Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing. Helen Tubing also features a waterpark, perfect for the whole family to enjoy after a tubing trip.
Other fan-favorite summer activities include a round of putt-putt at Alpine Mini Golf, listening to live music at local breweries, and taking thrilling rides down the Georgia Mountain Coaster.
We recommend packing light, as it can get very hot in Helen during summer. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats for your tubing adventures!
Visiting in Summer is right for you if you:
- Enjoy water activities
- Don’t mind crowds
- Love outdoor eating
- Enjoy being adventurous
Fall
Photo Credit: Kristi Blokhin
While we’ve already made our case for visiting during Oktoberfest, we’d be remiss not to share all of the other incredible activities fall brings.
September offers a welcomed reprieve from the hot summer temperatures. By October, the highs fall to the 70s, and by November, they drop to the 60s. This mild fall weather makes for the perfect time to explore the great outdoors. There’s nothing better than going foliage chasing on one of the many nearby hiking trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest during the fall.
Other picturesque fall activities involve wine tasting at Yonah Mountain Vineyards and apple picking at Hillside Orchard Farms, both easy day trips from Helen. And if you’re hoping for a relaxing fall weekend getaway, it’s the perfect time to cozy up at Blue Creek Cabins and enjoy the hot tub while overlooking the mountain views.
Visiting in the fall is right for you if you:
- Want to celebrate Oktoberfest in Helen
- Love chasing fall foliage
- Want mild fall weather
- Don’t mind crowds
Winter
Photo Credit: Vadim Fedotov
Wintertime in Helen is magical. Downtown Helen transforms into a winter wonderland covered in Christmas decorations and twinkling lights. In fact, Helen is rated one of the best Christmas towns in the U.S. year after year! It’s no wonder the holiday season is one of our favorite times in Helen.
Helen has mild weather in December, with average highs in the mid-50s and lows in the mid-20s. There are many events throughout December, from the annual Helen Christmas Parade to Christkindlmarkt, a Christmas tradition in Germany. You’ll get a chance to meet Santa, take a carriage ride through Downtown Helen, and enjoy shopping at the Christmas Shoppe on Main Street. Be sure to check out our guide to Christmas in Helen for all the possibilities!
January and February are the coldest months of the year, but don’t let that stop you from visiting. Many trails remain open year-round and are beautiful during the winter months. While it’s rare, there is a chance you’ll catch some snow on your trip, too. This is also the perfect time to cozy up in your cabin rental, light a fire, and have a relaxing winter getaway.
Visiting in the winter is right for you if you:
- Love celebrating Christmas
- Want family-friendly events
- Enjoy cold weather
- Want fewer crowds
A Perfect Destination in All Seasons
We may be biased, but Helen is the perfect mountain getaway destination no matter what time of the year you visit.
Each season offers something a little different for everybody. Spring is perfect for exploring the outdoors and catching waterfall views. Summer is ideal for non-stop fun and water activities. Fall is a crowd favorite for many reasons, including the infamous Oktoberfest. And, of course, winter is idyllic with its Christmas magic and chance of snow.
We are ready to host you at our Blue Creek Cabins, no matter when you decide to visit!