Golf - One of the top rated golf courses in Georgia. the Sconti golf course is designed by John Lee, one of America's most respected golf course architects, the challenging 27-hole course weaves through lakes, woods, mountain meadows, and covered bridges (click here for golf course details). There is also a driving range. Open all year to residents and guests of Big Canoe, the green's fees vary from weekday ($62 or $48) to weekend ($72 or $58) depending on Prime Season (April through November, and Holiday weekends) and off-season for those staying as a guest in our home.  Twilight  rates (after 3PM) are $55 for weekends (Sat-Sun).   These standard rates include green's fees, cart and applicable taxes.  Golf 'specials' are as low as $40 per round during the week - inquire with Pro Shop for details.  Junior rates are also available for high school students and younger.  Cart rental and soft spikes are mandatory.  Dress code requires shirts with a collar, and no jeans.  The Sconti Golf Club also has a putting green and driving range.   Driving range fee are:  $7 for large bucket and $5 for a small bucket.  The Pro Shop features a wide range of golf merchandise.  Call the Sconti golf at (706) 268-3323 for more information and to set up tee times.  You may begin to book times starting at 9:00 AM, two days before you wish to play – indicate that you are a guest staying in Big Canoe. Tee times can be booked for both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 AM on Thursday morning. Weekends and summer months fill quickly, so call early. Be sure to check for changing prices and special deals.  More Pictures
    

Tennis   - Enjoy the game on one of ten courts. Three are outdoor flex courts, two 3M highlands resilient courts, three clay surface courts, and two laykold courts. Two are indoors are located in the Fitness Center for all weather play. Three of the eight outdoor courts are lighted to permit evening matches. Lockers and showers are on-site. You may participate in clinics and lessons. Equipment rental is available at the Tennis Pro Shop. You may participate in a variety of programs which include Saturday morning men's doubles round robins, social mixed doubles round robins, holiday socials, women's team tennis, ALTA and USTA tennis, instructional clinics and children's and junior camps. Pat Gilliam, our resident tennis pro, is a certified USPTA and UPSET professional. Call her at (706) 268-3367 to set up your reservations. The Tennis Center is located near the Chapel in Wolfscratch Village, across from the fitness center and outdoor swimming complex. Guest rates: $20 per court hour for outdoor courts. $28 per court hour for indoor courts.  One week tennis cards for family (up to 4 members) are $100 for outdoor courts.

Swimming    - The swim club offers a brand new free form pool, which provides an infant section with gradual entry - great for parents with infants. Plenty of lounge chairs, large umbrellas, and sunshine.  Qualified lifeguards are in attendance during the swim season. Lake swimming is available on a sandy beach. The club also has picnic tables, and snack bar. Don't miss the rock water slides, where cool mountain stream water rushes over a smooth rock surface for 153 feet of fun. For a slower pace, canoes and paddleboats are available, included in the admission price. The season begins on Memorial Day weekend and closes at Labor Day. A daily fee for adults and children is $5 each. A weekly family pass is available for the 'immediate family' at a cost of $105. Check-in on the upper level of the swim club lodge, or call (706) 268-3308 for assistance.  Year-round indoor swimming is also available next door at the Fitness Center.

Fitnesss Center   - The new 16,000+ square-foot fitness center located between the Lake Disharoon Swim Center Clubhouse and the indoor tennis facilities.  This new state-of-the-art facility is located in the heart of Big Canoe and is a short walk from Wolfscratch Village.  The new  center includes a five-lane, 25 meter heated indoor lap pool.  The new center also includes the latest in cardiovascular exercise equipment along with an impressive selection of free weights.  Also included are:  large aerobics room, an all-purpose court for racquetball, handball or squash, indoor tennis, private massage rooms, and locker room facilities.  Open swimming is scheduled throughout the day around the water aerobic classes and lap swimming (call for schedule).  Children under 12 are prohibited from using the exercise machines.  Rates for guests vary from a daily rate of $10/day per adult, $5/day for children.   Weekly passes are available for families for $110.  In addition, the center offers an impressive list of professional health services, including:  massages, facials, manicures, spa therapy, pedicures, and waxing (individual and packaged services available).  For information on the latest rates and schedules, call (706) 268-3441.

Fishing - The three lakes and streams are available for fishing, and Lake Petit is regularly stocked with trout.  There are some restrictions for Lake Sconti and Lake Disharoon; avoid line-of-fire spots along the golf course.  Recently a 12 and 14 lb. bass were pulled from the mountain waters of Lake Petit on the same day. A private fishing permit is required, and may be purchased at the country store. There are separate prices for adults and children. Looking for worms? The country store has them too! The telephone number is (706) 268-3371. Big Canoe security makes regular checks, so it is wise to obtain fishing permits for everyone in your party who wields a rod and reel. Permit rates: Adults $8 per day, and children under 10 are FREE. A weekly family rate for the 'immediate family' is $75.

Boating - Lake Petit, the largest of the 3 lakes in Big Canoe, has a marina where you find a variety of boats ranging from small sailboats and canoes to the popular pontoon boats.  The largest boat permissible for property owners to have in the lake is 22 feet, and only electric engines are permitted to ensure that both noise and combustible fuels do not pollute this beautiful habitat.  The Fitness Center at (706) 268-3441 offers rentals for pontoon boats, canoes and Jon Boats:  Boats are popular with the residents year-round, and are used for both fishing and cruising. 

Ball Field - Enjoy a game of softball, football, volleyball, soccer, or basketball. Located at the base of Lake Petite Dam, the athletic area is within easy walking distance of the tennis center, Wolfscratch Village and the Fitness and Swim centers. A jogging track circles the area, and a large children's playground is just beyond the track. Picnic tables and grills are close-at-hand in the shade of the Georgia pines.

Hiking Trails of Big Canoe

Nature Hiking Trails  - There are many hiking trails throughout the Big Conoe community.  Nature Valley has a 400+ acre natural area with numerous trails.  Disharoon creek flows through the valley and is traversed by an old logging road known as Jeep Trail. The road is open to 4-wheel drive vehicles. Quite exciting! You can find deer, wild turkey, gray squirrels, and many species of birds. An old log cabin, moonshine still area, a site of diggings - which many say were rich gold deposits, will be encountered along your journey. Two waterfalls along the jeep trail cool you during the day's heat, and make great picnic areas.

Horseback Riding - Outside Big Canoe's gates (within 15 minutes), check Bent Tree Stables at (706) 692-6322, or the Swan Center Monastery at (770) 893-3525 for more information.

Food Establishments 

Catering   

IGA Grocery Store - New IGA grocery store open every day from 7am to 9pm, just 1.5 miles from the gate of Big Canoe.  Located at intersection of Hwy 53 and Steve Tate Road.  This full service food market offers a floral and gift shop.  This new complex has a bank and a number of shops and restaurants, and a video rental store.  (770) 893-1000

Outlet Shopping - Just a short 20 minute drive from Big Canoe is one of Georgia's newest and largest outlet malls:  North Georgia Premium Outlets Mall.  Located in Dawsonville, this 70-store complex caters to the upscale shopping experience offering incredible bargains from many well known names in designer apparel, including: Saks 5th Avenue, Polo Ralph Lauren, Cnythia Steffe, Brooks Brothers, OshKosh B'Gosh, Creme de la Creme and more. Bugle Boy, the Gap, Levis, Dress Barn, and the Bose speaker outlet are just a few of the other popular stores.  Open 10am to 9pm Mon-Sat, and Noon to 6pm Sundays.  Easy to find:    from Big Canoe, just follow the map - located on Hwy 19 (GA 400) between Hwy 369 and Hwy 53.  For information and to confirm hours, call 706-216-3609.

Event Facilities   - Looking for a place to have a meeting or reception, and our 16-person conference room is a little too small? Then you may want to know about the Chimneys Conference Center, the Canoe Lodge and picnic area, and the Swim Club (now serving lunch and dinner).  Each facility provides a rustic setting for your larger festivities, and permit alcohol.  Call the General Manager at (706) 268-3346 for details.

Chapel      - A community chapel which seats up to 360 is located at Wolfscratch Village, and offers inter-denominational services. Services take place every Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30 AM; may vary seasonally.  Dress is casual (including shorts).   Both the chapel and a large banquet facility are available for weddings (no alcohol please). The number is (706) 268-3203.  Fax (706) 268-3489.  Pictures and Details

Postal Service   - Just across from the village you will find a fully equipped self-service U.S. Post Office. Stamps are sold via vending machines, and scales are available. A mail carrier is on site from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM each weekday to assist you. You’ll find a 24-hour automated banking machine (ATM) located outside the rear of the building.

Package Delivery       - Both UPS and Federal Express will deliver packages right to the door of our home. So while you're away, you're not out of reach for those important business or personal deliveries.

Safety      - A full-time 24-hour security force protects our peace, and yours. Keep in mind that we love our forests, and would like to keep them for generations to enjoy. Be careful with fire, and if you must smoke, please be sure to extinguish your smokes and properly dispose of the remains. The Fire Department and Rescue Units consist of five fire stations and two fully equipped ambulances. Personnel are EMT trained. For information on Big Canoe Weather Emergency Information (click here).  Hospitals, doctors, and dentists are located in nearby Jasper, just thirteen miles to the west. The main gate (Gate One) phone is 268-3376. The North gate (Gate Three) number is 268-3399.

Limousine/Van Shuttle - Offered by North Georgia Limousine Company to/from Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport.  One-way trip in a limousine will cost $100 for two people (excluding gratuity), and a custom conversion van (seats up to six) will cost $80 for two people (excluding gratuity).  A 26-passenger bus is also available for large groups.  Call Danny Ryder at:  770-735-2685.  Pager access is available at:  770-735-5266.

Pet Lodging - Since there is a strict  NO PET policy for our Paradise Retreats vacation properties, we don't want to ruin your family pet's vacation.  We are pleased to recommend the Mountain View Pet Lodge in Jasper, GA to ensure a great vacation for your cherished companion as well.  The Pet Lodge is located about 10-15 minutes away from the Big Canoe community, and it offers indoor and outdoor accommodations, along with air conditioning and heating to ensure your pet's comfort year-round.  Rates range from $10-$12 per night and includes exercise periods 3 times daily.  Private walks can be provided for a nominal fee.  Please call them in advance of your stay with us to make appropriate arrangements for your pet:  (706) 692-6604.