Unicoi State Park & Lodge

We had wanted to stay here because it is near Helena, the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail. Furthermore it is a Parks on the Park for Ham radio operation. The park staff were great for helping us with our reservation, site selection. During our trip in, our tow vehicle experienced braking problem. The park staff extended our stay several days so we could get the repairs done by a Ford dealer.

My husband and I decided to visit Helen, GA for the first time. We originally wanted to stay in town, but the lodge at Unicoi seemed a better option, and it was! Very clean room, comfortable bed, mountain view from our room, lovely courtyard with seating options and a fireplace, and a restaurant on the premises. We would give a 5 star rating, but the restaurant was inconsistent. The first morning breakfast was great, but the next morning the meal came with 3 different temperatures and none of those was hot. Biscuits should be warm enough to melt the butter. And none of the home fries should be refrigerator cold. Those came in 3 temperatures in the same serving. They also did not come out at the same time as the omelet. We would gladly return for the lodgings if the opportunity presents.

Spent labor day at unicoi and had a blast. What a great place. Yes there are bugs but you are dead in the middle of the woods. You are surrounded by beauty and the bigs come with that. Embrace nature and breath. The people are wonderful and helpful

My family stayed in a barrel cabin June 20-24. When we checked in, the first thing we noticed was a broken table on the back deck. However, knowing that it was broken prior to our arrival, we didn't not worry too much about it. Our stay was below adequate. My family laughed at me because I refused to take off my shoes while I was inside because it felt very unclean. There was mildew in the shower and a spot in the kitchen that was so soft, we only allowed one person at a time in the kitchen area. The kitchen cookware was pitiful. There was flaking teflon and burnt frying pans. Since we are conscientious about our cookware and the chemicals we put into our bodies, we opted not to use the frying pans provided. Fast forward one week, and I receive an email with pictures of a broken countertop, bent fork, and the burned frying pan, and we are accused of breaking the countertop during our stay, and charged at $150 cleaning fee. I provided a photograph that had the broken counter in the background to show that it was that way when we arrived. After several emails and phone calls, they concluded that it happened during our stay. IT DID NOT! I will NEVER stay here again. This is the third time we have rented a cabin from Unicoi and every-time we leave feeling disappointed. For a price of nearly $1000 for three nights, I expect higher quality amenities and not to be accused of room damages that we did not create. Please take my advice and do NOT stay here. Next time we will go with a private rental that provides much nicer amenities.

We stayed in the barrel cabins and loved the location and view. Be ready to makes some trips back and forth from where you part to your cabin with your items though. The cabins could use some improvement and upkeep but nothing to keep us from staying again. The shuttle drivers were great and super friendly. Nice trails and camp ground areas, a nice lake, and easy access to Anna Ruby Falls. Did not eat at the lodge.

I grew up coming here every year with my family and always loved it. It's been 4 years since I've been and it's beyond disappointing. There was a live cockroach and live spider in our room and we saw another massive roach walking around just outside our room at night. Walking in we passed two huge dead locust looking insects . Huge cobwebs in the loft and only 3 towels and 1 roll of toilet paper for a double room with 2 adults and 2 kids. This place has gone downhill and is not worth the money. Invest in some big spray if you want to stay here since they clearly have zero pest control. Not at all worth the money.

The lodge rooms were very nice and the grounds very well kept. My one complaint was with the restaurant. We arrived early for breakfast and there was no one (staff) there. The sign at the restaurant entrance said "closed", yet there was an elderly couple already seated. I asked them if there was anyone working and they said there was a waitress (evidently doing double duty). We were finally seated by the waitress, yet she never changed the sign to open. It was as though she was trying to discourage anyone else from being seated, at least that was my impression. The tabletop was sticky and hadn't been properly cleaned. We ordered and received our breakfast in a reasonable amount of time. The food was just OK but hey, it's a State Park lodge. When we went to pay I miscalculated the tip amount and asked her to adjust it (I paid by credit card). Her response was the it was too late and that she couldn't (or wouldn't) try to adjust it. Needless to say this left me with a very bad taste in my mouth.

I enjoy the north Georgia mountains as I have had a second home up here for years. Our car club has been coming here for our spring cruise for many years too. The rooms are spotless as are the bathrooms. Though old, the buildings are in good repair and the carpets are clean and the buildings appear to be well maintained. The buffet breakfast, on the other hand...is AWFUL! Why I expected any different from other times we've been here is my fault. There is no a-la-carte menu thus you must eat the $17.00 buffet. The eggs and quiche(not sure what it was) are.cold and dry, and powdered, the biscuits out of a box and warmed, the patty sausage...cold, the hash brown potatoes...cold. The coffee...warm. In other words, don't waste your time. The manager was kind enough to give me a refund after I showed him my uneaten plate! Go into Helen and spend a bit more (maybe) at the Waffle House!

Everything is always great. It's very close to Helen and just a 1 hour hike from the Unicoi camp sites to Helen. Its a great hike. I took my pup and he loved it. There is a grocery / market in Helen that you can go to pick up pretty much anything you need to cook. Fresh Meat, Fresh Veggies, Chips, Firewood etc.