Georgia State Route 197
Encyclopedia
State Route 197 passes through Habersham
and Rabun
Counties and its route takes it into the Chattahoochee National Forest. The highway starts south of Clarkesville
and soon becomes very scenic. The route follows the Soque River
before reaching the historic Batesville
community. An interesting feature on the road is a small ford, where, during wetter times of the year, water crosses over the road before it joins the Soque River.
In Batesville, S.R. 197 is joined by S.R. 255 and then begins its climb into higher mountains. Sites along the route, include Moccasin Creek State Park
, the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery
, and Lake Burton
. As the highway climbs to its terminus with U.S. 76 in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest North of the park, the road becomes very twisty.
Habersham County, Georgia
Habersham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818, and named for Colonel Joseph Habersham. As of 2000, the population was 35,902. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 42,272. Clarkesville is the county seat.Chartered in 1823, the...
and Rabun
Rabun County, Georgia
Rabun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 15,050. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 16,519...
Counties and its route takes it into the Chattahoochee National Forest. The highway starts south of Clarkesville
Clarkesville, Georgia
Clarkesville is a city located in the center of Habersham County, Georgia. It is also the county seat.-Geography:Clarkesville is located at ....
and soon becomes very scenic. The route follows the Soque River
Soque River
The Soque River and its watershed are located entirely within the county boundaries of Habersham County in northeast Georgia. The Soque is a tributary of the Chattahoochee River. Portions of the river run along State Route 197.The highest point in the watershed occurs on Tray Mountain...
before reaching the historic Batesville
Batesville, Georgia
Batesville is a mountain community situated at the intersection of modern Georgia State Route 197 and 255 in the Northeast Georgia mountains of Habersham County. Located at an elevation of 1706 feet above mean sea level, the climate in Batesville is pleasant in summer with occasional snow in the...
community. An interesting feature on the road is a small ford, where, during wetter times of the year, water crosses over the road before it joins the Soque River.
In Batesville, S.R. 197 is joined by S.R. 255 and then begins its climb into higher mountains. Sites along the route, include Moccasin Creek State Park
Moccasin Creek State Park
Moccasin Creek State Park is a state park located on the western shore of Lake Burton in Rabun County in the northeast corner of Georgia. The park features campgrounds; a fishing pier for the physically disabled, the elderly, and children; and walking trails...
, the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery
Lake Burton Fish Hatchery
Lake Burton Fish Hatchery is a fish hatchery operated by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the purpose of raising rainbow trout and brown trout being raised for stocking into mountain trout streams in North Georgia...
, and Lake Burton
Lake Burton (Georgia)
Lake Burton is a 2,775 acre reservoir with 62 miles of shoreline located in the northeastern corner of Georgia in Rabun County. It is the first lake in a six-lake series called the Tallulah River Watershed that follows the original course of the Tallulah River...
. As the highway climbs to its terminus with U.S. 76 in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest North of the park, the road becomes very twisty.