This Dying Logging Town Became Georgia’s Little Bavaria Thanks to a Few Sketches

Helen, Georgia

Tucked in the Georgia mountains is a town that looks like it got lost on its way to Bavaria. Helen used to be a logging town that hit hard times in the 1960s until someone had the wild idea to go full lederhosen.

Now this tiny spot draws millions for its beer halls, river tubing, and year-round Oktoberfest vibe. And yes, you should definitely visit when you can.

How a Dying Lumber Town Became Bavarian in Just Months

January 1969, three local guys named Pete Hodkinson, Jim Wilkins, and Bob Fowler sit down to figure out how to get tourists to stop in their dying lumber town. They ask artist John Kollock for help, who simply puts tracing paper over photos of buildings and draws Bavarian-style designs.

By September, the whole town has new facades ready for their first event, the Chattahoochee Trout Festival. The entire makeover from fading lumber town to Bavarian village took just months.

Now every building must follow Bavarian architecture rules, all because of one lunch meeting that changed everything.

Named After a Lumber Boss’ Daughter

Back in 1912-1913 when they were setting up the town, a guy from the Byrd-Matthews lumber company just suggested his daughter’s name, Helen, and everyone went with it. They called it “Star of the North” even though it’s nowhere near northern Georgia.

The Ancient Burial Mound with a Modern Gazebo

Just outside town sits the Nacoochee Indian Mound with a somewhat out-of-place gazebo on top. Native Americans used this mound to store their belongings and bury their dead.

When archaeologists dug here in the early 1900s, they found 75 burial sites dating back more than 1,000 years. You can check it out yourself at Hardman Farm Historic Site.

The whole Nacoochee Valley became a historic district on the National Register in 1980. Local stories say the mound contains lovers from rival tribes who died for their forbidden romance.

The Maya Tribes Who Lived Here Before Europeans

Before it was Helen, locals called this place “Chote” after a Maya tribe from Mexico that settled in the valley. The Itza Maya word “Echote” means “Capital of the Chote Province.” Even the name “Chattahoochee” comes from “Cha’ta-Hawche,” Maya words for “Carved Stone-Shallow River.”

The nearby Soque River? Named for the Zoque tribe from Mexico. People have lived in these mountains since at least 1000 CE during what archaeologists call the Etowah Period.

You Can Actually Sleep Inside Giant Wine Barrels

At Unicoi State Park, you can stay in round metal cabins perched on stilts that look just like massive wine barrels. Built in the 1970s, these unique places have everything you need: kitchens, bathrooms, wood-burning fireplaces, and balconies overlooking the lake.

They sit tucked between the main lodge and Lake Unicoi and were recently updated with modern touches. Better book them way ahead, especially for summer and fall when they fill up fast..

The First American Gold Rush Happened Nearby

Forget what you learned about California. America’s first gold rush actually started right here in Georgia. Gold turned up in the Nacoochee Valley just five miles from Helen in 1821, bringing waves of new settlers. Another big find at Duke’s Creek in 1828 brought even more people.

Today you can try finding gold yourself at Outpost Gold & Gem Mining Co. This rush led to some dark history too, with the Georgia Land Lotteries and eventually the Trail of Tears forcing Cherokee people from their land.

A Tiny Village That Draws Over a Million Visitors

Hard to believe, but Helen covers only 2.1 square miles and has about 500 year-round residents. Yet this little place pulls in roughly 1.5 million visitors each year who spend over $100 million in White County.

As of 2025, you’ll find more than 200 specialty shops, 30+ restaurants, and nearly 1,200 hotel rooms packed into this tiny space. Most businesses are locally owned, giving the town its authentic feel.

During October’s leaf season and Oktoberfest, the daily visitor count can hit 20,000 people, turning this quiet mountain village into a bustling hub.

Helen Found a German Twin City Across the Ocean

Helen made its German connection official in 1983 by partnering with Füssen, Germany as sister cities. Füssen sits near the famous Neuschwanstein Castle that inspired Disney’s iconic castle design.

Throughout the year, people from Füssen visit Helen, especially during Oktoberfest celebrations. This relationship helps keep Helen’s Bavarian look and feel authentic, with architecture and cultural guidance from real German experts.

The Old Cherokee Trail That Became a Highway

Back in 1813, the Cherokee Nation gave approval for the Unicoi Turnpike, a wagon road connecting the Savannah River to northeast Tennessee. The name “Unicoi” comes from the Cherokee word “unega,” meaning “white” or “the New Way.”

Parts of this historic route now follow Highways 17 and 75 through Helen. The turnpike became a major trading and migration path before playing a key role during the Georgia Gold Rush. You can still hike sections of the original path in the national forest.

Learn more about this historic road at the Unicoi County Heritage Museum.

Movies and TV Shows Filmed in This Alpine Village

You might not realize it, but Helen has shown up on screen several times. The classic 1977 film “Smokey and the Bandit” filmed scenes on Chimney Mountain Road nearby. The FX show “Atlanta” featured a whole episode called “Helen” in 2018.

Lifetime filmed their movie “Christmas Love Letter” here in 2019. While walking around downtown, you might spot some filming locations. As of 2025, two more Lifetime Christmas movies have used Helen as their backdrop, drawn by those picture-perfect Bavarian buildings.

The German Beer Festival That Lasts Two Months

Helen runs the longest Oktoberfest celebration in America, going for eight full weeks from mid-September through early November. Started in 1970, it now draws thousands of people each year.

The 2025 festivities run from September 11 through November 2, with daily events at the Festhalle just a block from downtown. You can enjoy authentic German bands, dancing, food, and drinks throughout the celebration.

New for 2025, weekend parades have been added and the beer garden expanded to handle growing crowds. The event now includes craft beer tastings featuring Georgia breweries alongside traditional German brews.

Planning Your Trip to Helen, GA

Helen sits in White County, Georgia, about 90 miles northeast of Atlanta and 60 miles north of Athens. From Atlanta, take I-85 North to GA-400 North (which becomes US-19 North), follow to GA-115, then turn onto GA-75 North to reach Helen.

Most shops are open daily from 10am to 6pm, staying open later during festivals. The Oktoberfest Festhalle runs Thursday-Sunday in September and every day from September 26-October 27, 2025.