Trip Planning : Directions to our Office in Ducktown, Tennessee

Some advice about getting here

We try our best to make your trip as smooth, simple, and easy-to-understand as we can. You can help make your escape to the mountains a little less stress-free by following some simple advice:

(1) Do not try to use internet mapping services such as Yahoo!, MapQuest, or Google Maps. While they are generally reliable for getting you up here to the mountains, they aren't the best at getting you around the mountains. Why? Some of our roads are not as well marked as they should be, and, in many instances, these mapping services have names for roads that aren't the same as what is posted. For Example: The Highway 64 Bypass/APD 40 in Cleveland, TN is called Highway 311 by some mapping services. While that road may truly be named Highway 311 by some state or local agency, there is absolutely no signage whatsoever indicating the road by that name.

If you wish to use your internet mapping directions or your in-car GPS system in conjunction with our directions, that is okay. However, to ignore our directions in favor of an alternative is nothing short of sheer ignorance. We have been to each departure point listed below...we've driven those roads to and from here. So please, trust our directions as the ultimate authority in getting from the selected departure point to here.

(2) If you have multiple parts of your group getting here at different times, please let us know. We will be happy to make arrangements!

(3) Please Use your trip odometer! Especially in directions from the office to each cabin, we often list distances to the nearest tenth of a mile. This is an invaluable tool for getting around in the mountains, especially in the dark.

(4) If you plan on getting in late, it's a good idea to come with "what you need" for the evening. Unfortunately, a lot of grocery stores are not open 24 hours here. However, on each set of directions there is a note at the bottom explaining where the nearest Wal*Mart supercenter is, so if you think you're going to need something, we definitely recommend that you stop along the way.

(5) A word about Departure Points: Obviously, we can't provide directions for customers from every state we host. However, nearly all of our guests will have to go through one of these major cities below to get here from where they are going. It is your job to get to the departure point, and then we take it from there. For people in Florida, picking the departure point is easy (Atlanta), but sometimes it isn't so clear cut (such as for guests in various parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, etc.) If you are unsure as to which departure point to take, please call - we'll be glad to help you make a decision. Also, there are some exceptions where there are guests who might not need to go through a departure point (I.E. those hailing from Athens, Georgia). If you fall into that category, we will generally formulate custom directions for you.

Coming from or through Atlanta

(1) Take I-75 North to I-575 North (Exit 268).
(2) Go approximate 72 miles to Blue Ridge, Georgia. Shortly after passing through Canton, Georgia, I-575 will become Highway 575/515/76, which runs all the way into Blue Ridge.
(3) Upon arriving into Fannin County and Blue Ridge, Turn LEFT at the intersection of Highway 5 and 515 (McDonalds and Home Depot on left).
(4) Stay on Hwy 5 north until it dead ends into a 3-way stop at the Georgia/Tennessee state line (roughly 10 miles)
(5) Turn LEFT at the 3-way stop onto TN Hwy 68 North, and stay on 68 for 3.8 miles into Ducktown, Tennessee.
(6) Turn RIGHT onto Burra-Burra Street (at ETC Telecom). Note: If you come to the redlight on 68 at Main Street, you have gone too far.
(7) Go up Burra-Burra all the way to the top of the hill. Immediately upon "topping" the hill, you will see a two-story white house with a Mountain Escapes sign and a mailbox at the curb. That is the ME office.

Note: There is a Wal*Mart Supercenter in East Ellijay which you will pass going along Hwy 515 towards Blue Ridge. That is the last Wal*Mart you will see before entering Blue Ridge and then coming to the office.

Coming from or through Chattanooga, Tennessee

(1) Take I-75 North to Exit 20, which puts you on the Highway 64 Bypass (APD 40) heading East.
(2) Continue east on APD 40 for roughly 7-8 miles and then get on the exit for Ocoee/ Highway 64 East on your right (there is no exit number).
Note: If you wind up at a redlight at Julian Drive, you have gone too far.
(3) Stay straight on Highway 64 East for approximately 34 miles. You will go through the Ocoee River gorge along the way.
(4) Upon coming into Ducktown you will see a Hardees and a Chevron on your right; and an overpass just ahead. You will want to get on that overpass (Hwy 68) heading north by driving under it and then looping on the ramp immediately to your right. Note: If you see a High School and a Hospital on your right shortly after exit, you are heading the wrong way (south).
(5) After looping on to Hwy 68 North, cross the bridge and then turn at the first MARKED road on your right (Burra Burra Street).
Note: ETC Telecom is at the corner of 68 and Burra-Burra, so that's where you'll turn.
(6) After turning RIGHT on Burra Burra, go all the way to the top of the hill. Upon "topping" the hill, you will immediately see a two-story white house with a Mountain Escapes sign at the curb. That is the ME office.

Note: There is a Wal*Mart Supercenter on the Highway 64 Bypass/APD-40 near the Dalton Pike redlight. This is the last Wal*Mart you will see before you arrive in Ducktown.

Coming from or through Knoxville, Tennessee

(1) Take I-75 South to Exit 60 (Sweetwater-Highway 68)
(2) Take Hwy 68 South for roughly 63 miles to Ducktown, Tennessee. Once in Ducktown, go straight through the lone red light at Main Street.
(3) After going straight through the red light, immediately enter into the center turn lane.
(4) Turn left immediately past ETC Telecom (on your left) onto Burra Burra Street.
(5) Go all the way up Burra-Burra to the top of the hill. Upon "topping" the hill, you will immediately see a two-story white house with a Mountain Escapes sign at the curb. That is the ME office.

Note: There is a Wal*Mart Supercenter in Madisonville, Tennessee on Highway 411 North/East. You will cross over 411 going down 68 from Sweetwater towards Ducktown, so to get there, loop onto 411 North/East and then it will be on your right. This is the last Wal*Mart before entering Ducktown.

Coming from or through Gastonia, North Carolina

(1) Take Hwy 74 west out of Gastonia all the way to Murphy, N.C.
(2) Once in Murphy, continue on 74 West (now also know as 64 West) to Ducktown, Tennessee (roughly 25 miles)
(3) As you cross over the state line and start approaching Ducktown, the speed limit will reduce from 65 mph to 55 mph and then to 40 mph. Once it reduces to 40 mph, you need to be in the left lane.
(4) Once in Ducktown, you will see an overpass (TN Hwy 68) just ahead. You will want to turn LEFT (crossing over opposing traffic) onto the entry ramp that will put you on that overpass - TN Hwy 68 North.
(5) After getting onto the overpass, cross over the bridge, and then turn RIGHT on the first marked road on your right (Burra-Burra Street). At the turn, you will see an office for ETC Telecom. Note: If you come up to the red light at Main Street, you have gone too far.
(6) Go all the way up Burra-Burra to the top of the hill. Upon "topping" the hill, you will immediately see a two-story white house with a Mountain Escapes sign at the curb. That is the ME office.

Note: There is a Wal*Mart Supercenter in Murphy on your left. This is the last Wal*Mart you will see on your way to Ducktown.