Ellijay

Ellijay is located where the Ellijay and Cartecay rivers meet to form the Coosawattee River at an elevation of 390 meters (1,280 feet). The town sits in the mountainous region of northern Georgia.

The area was home to Cherokee people until 1838 when the region was settled. The name Ellijay comes from the Cherokee word Elatseyi, meaning new ground or newly cleared land.

The Georgia Apple Festival in October shapes how people here celebrate their connection to apple farming and agriculture. Visitors can see how orchards have become central to the local way of life and community identity.

The town is accessible via the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway, completed in 1991, which provides direct connections from surrounding larger cities. Visitors can use this convenient route to reach the area from multiple directions.

The region receives around 1,470 millimeters (58 inches) of annual rainfall, which creates ideal conditions for orchard growth. This abundant moisture supports the thriving apple and fruit cultivation throughout the area.

Location: Gilmer County

Elevation above the sea: 390 m

Website: http://ellijay-ga.gov

GPS coordinates: 34.69472,-84.48361

Latest update: December 17, 2025 08:16