On the border of Georgia and Tennessee lies a small town by the name of Copperhill. The city sits on the banks of the Ocoee River where it flows into Tennessee from the Toccoa River in Copperhill’s sister city of McCaysville, Georgia. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad, traveling from Blue Ridge, Georgia along the Toccoa River, has a stopover in McCaysville, giving their passengers the opportunity to explore the towns of McCaysville and Copperhill, where you will find many charming shops and eateries to wander into.

Copperhill has a long, sad story behind it that has now seen a happy ending. In the late 1800s, copper mining was going strong in the Copper Basin, apparently without much thought to what was happening to the surrounding environment. Many thousands of acres of beautiful mountain land were devastated due to the mining and smelting of the ore. Much of the forest was cut down to clear the way for mining and logging operations, and resultant acid rain from the smelting processes killed vegetation and contaminated the nearby ponds and streams. In the 1930s however, the US Forest Service purchased the devastated land and with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a reclamation project began. Efforts to heal the land have continued throughout the years and today, after over 60 years of hard work by the Tennessee Valley Authority as well as many public groups and individuals, Copperhill has recovered beautifully, and all the efforts have paid off by finally restoring this area to its former glory.

Visiting this picturesque Blue Ridge Mountain area will give you such a feeling of peace and serenity. You can enjoy the wilderness on horseback, or take a hike on one of the many hiking trails. Whitewater rafting is available on the Ocoee River for those more adventurous types. Many outdoor experiences can be had in the beautiful town of Copperhill, Tennessee!