Helen looks like a town in the Bavarian Alps that someone set down on the Chattahoochee River. It is a little more than an hour east of Ellijay, and it is the obvious base for the waterfalls and mountain drives of White County. In summer, the river itself is the draw; our North Georgia tubing comparison covers Helen’s two outfitters.

How Helen became Alpine

The New Georgia Encyclopedia tells the story. Helen began around 1910 as a lumber town built around a sawmill. When the timber was gone, the town shrank. In 1968 local business owners looked for a way to bring visitors back, and John Kollock, an artist from nearby Clarkesville, suggested a Bavarian village. He had served in the military in southern Germany in the 1950s, and he painted a series of watercolors showing what Helen could look like. Merchants led by Pete Hodkinson took up the idea, and by 1972 the paintings had become storefronts.

Hodkinson also brought hot-air ballooning to town, part of the sense of fun the encyclopedia credits him with. He died in a balloon accident in 1976.

Oktoberfest

The Helen Chamber of Commerce bills its Oktoberfest as the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States. 2026 was the 56th year. It runs much longer than a weekend:

  • 2026 dates: Thursday to Sunday on Sept 10 to 13, 17 to 20 and 24 to 27, then every night from Oct 1 through Nov 1. The parade was set for Sept 12 at noon.
  • Where: the Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse.
  • Hours: Monday to Thursday 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday 6 to 11 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 11 p.m.; Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.
  • Admission (2026): $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6 to 12 Monday through Thursday; $15 and $7 on Fridays and Saturdays, with a Friday and Saturday pass for $25 and $12. Sundays and children under 6 are free, and the chamber lists free admission for military.
  • Rules: everyone’s ID is checked at the door, and pets are not allowed.
  • Phone: (706) 878-1908

Our Helen Oktoberfest guide covers the band schedule, food, groups and the best nights to go. Weekend nights in October are the busiest, and traffic on GA-75 through town can back up. A weeknight visit is calmer and cheaper. Staying over? Our where to stay in Helen guide compares downtown hotels, river rooms and cabins. For where to eat before the crowds, see breakfast in Helen.

Outside town

Most of what we would drive to Helen for is in the forest around it.

  • Unicoi State Park sits just northeast of town, with a lake, trails, a lodge and campsites; our camping near Helen guide compares it with Forest Service and RV campgrounds. Smith Creek below Unicoi Lake is one of Georgia’s Delayed Harvest trout streams; see our trout fishing guide. The park’s zip line course has three levels; our Helen zipline guide compares it with Amicalola Falls and Nacoochee Adventures.
  • Anna Ruby Falls is a twin waterfall where two creeks meet. The Forest Service describes a 0.4-mile paved path to the 150-foot falls. Our waterfalls guide covers it in more detail. To compare it with Dukes Creek, Raven Cliff and other nearby falls, see waterfalls near Helen.
  • Smithgall Woods is a state conservation area along Dukes Creek with trails and trout water.
  • The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway loops north of Helen past Hogpen Gap and Brasstown Bald. It is one of the best drives in the state in October; see our byway guide.

Getting there from Ellijay

The most direct route runs east on GA-52 to Dahlonega, then on to Cleveland and north to Helen. Our Dahlonega guide makes a good midday stop on the way.

Still choosing a town? See how the North Georgia mountain towns compare.

Sources and further reading

Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.