Best Towns in Rabun County: Name ’Em

There’s no single “best” town in Rabun County.  We are a league of winners, really.

What makes this corner of Northeast Georgia special is how different each area feels, even though they’re all close enough to be part of the same daily orbit. When people ask where they should look, the real answer is usually another question: how do you want to live when you’re here?

Here’s how I think about the towns that come up most often.

Clayton is the anchor. It’s big in the way Rabun County towns are big, stretching from access points to Lake Burton all the way into a genuinely charming downtown and out down Persimmon.  You’ve got restaurants, shops, events, and a sense of activity without losing the small-town feel. For many people, Clayton feels like the easiest place to land because everything radiates out from here.

Tiger and Lakemont are where lake life really starts to show itself. Both have historic roots and tend to offer gentler topography than some of the higher elevations. These areas appeal to people who want water access, established neighborhoods, and a quieter pace that still feels connected. Of course this is not all of Tiger and Lakemont, much of these towns include pastoral, rivers, and mountainside property just the same. 

Rabun Gap is all about pasture, valley views, and breathing room. It has a more open, agricultural feel — the kind of landscape that reminds you why this county has always been tied to land and farming. Thinking main veins like Wolffork and Bettys Creek, there are back roads for days! Lots of gorgeous cruising to be had here. 

Dillard, often under the radar. Offers two very different experiences at once: valley living and elevation, especially as you head up toward Sky Valley. There’s a lot changing here right now, too. New ownership and development at the iconic Dillard House are bringing fresh energy, and there’s real conversation about expanding and revitalizing downtown Dillard — which already has a great little theater and a strong sense of place. I happen to live in Dillard, and I love it.

Sky Valley is Georgia’s Highest City, offering cool temps all Summer long. Hiking, golfing, swimming are offered in the community. Less than 20 minutes to Highlands, North Carolina.  

Tallulah Falls punches above its weight in terms of recognition. Home to Tallulah Gorge State Park, one of the most visited state parks in Georgia, it draws people in for obvious reasons — dramatic scenery, hiking, and waterfalls. But it also has quieter charms: a sweet general store, a great tea shop, and bluegrass music on Friday nights that feels like something out of another time.

And then there are the lakes themselves, Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, and Seed Lake, each with its own personality and loyal following, often shaping how people think about “town” more than municipal boundaries ever could.

That’s the beauty of Rabun County. You don’t pick a place off a ranked list: you match a landscape to a lifestyle. And once you do, it all clicks in!