September marks the turning point in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Summer’s crowds and humidity start to fade, and the mountains ease into fall a little more each week. The days are still warm enough for the river and the lake, but evenings carry the first real chill of the season, especially once the sun dips behind the ridgeline.
It’s a month that rewards visitors who want a taste of both summer and fall in the same trip, offering the best of the outdoor activities nearby.
Ready to book your September stay? Browse our Blue Ridge cabin rentals in the North Georgia mountains. Whatever your group size, there’s a cabin ready for this month’s easier pace, whether you want a porch for morning coffee or a hot tub for cooler evenings.
Here’s what to expect from the weather, the events, and the best ways to spend your September days in Blue Ridge.
What’s the Weather Like in Blue Ridge in September?
Photo Credit: Andrew Hewett
Early September in Blue Ridge still feels like summer, with highs in the 80s°F and warm, occasionally humid afternoons. By the back half of the month, that starts to shift, with highs settling into the mid-70s and overnight lows dropping into the low 50s.
Daily highs rarely climb above 89°F or dip below 66°F, so the range stays fairly comfortable all month. It’s a comfortable middle ground: still warm enough for the lake and the river, but cool enough at night to make a cabin’s porch or hot tub feel especially good after dark.
Afternoon storms are more common in the first two weeks, so it’s worth packing a light rain jacket if your trip falls early in the month. The back half of September tends to be drier and crisper, a preview of the fall weather that settles in by October.
Layers are your best bet this month, since mornings can start cool and afternoons still warm up nicely. We also recommend packing:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Raingear for afternoon showers
- Hiking gear
- Swimsuit for cabin hot tub and water activities
Is September a Good Time to Visit Blue Ridge?
September is one of the better months to visit Blue Ridge if you want warm days without peak summer crowds.
School is back in session for most visitors, so downtown and the trails feel noticeably calmer than they do in peak summer months. Restaurants and shops are easier to enjoy without the wait that comes with summer weekends.
Fall foliage hasn’t peaked yet this month, so still expect lush green colors during your trip. Foliage in the mountains around Blue Ridge typically doesn’t reach its height until late October and into early November, so September is more about mild weather and quieter trails than dramatic leaf-peeping.
That also means cabin rates and availability tend to be a bit more flexible than they are once peak leaf season hits. If you’re weighing September against October, September gives you a quieter, less crowded version of the mountains, while October offers peak time for fall foliage and apple picking.
Blue Ridge Events in September (2026)
Photo Credit: M Vilaret
Here are the events to look out for in September.
Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival
- Dates: September 17–19, 2026
- Location: Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year in North Georgia.
The festival kicks off on Thursday with a free party at the Blue Ridge Farmers Market from 5 pm. Friday night brings a ticketed BBQ and Blues night with good food, music, and drinks at Old Toccoa Farm.
Saturday’s main event fills Downtown City Park with a variety of barbecue pitmasters, a full day of live blues, and a vendor market featuring local sauces and rubs. Live music runs all afternoon.
A free shuttle runs from the parking area at the Farmers Market throughout the day, so parking downtown isn’t something you need to worry about.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Fall Rides
- Dates: September 19 – November 3, 2026
- Location: 241 Depot Street
The scenic Blue Ridge Railway switches into its fall schedule in mid-September, with more frequent departures and open-air cars for taking in the first hints of color along the Toccoa River.
Visitors can choose between a 2-hour ride or a 4-hour ride, with a layover in McCaysville and Copperhill to explore.
Learn more about the experience in our Blue Ridge Scenic Railway guide.
Things to Do in Blue Ridge in September
Photo Credit: cabuscaa
September is a great month to explore downtown and the outdoors around Blue Ridge.
1. Stroll Downtown Blue Ridge
- Location: Downtown Blue Ridge
- Best for: Shopping, dining, casual afternoons
Main Street’s shops and restaurants feel especially pleasant this month, with thinner crowds and cool evenings that make outdoor dining comfortable again.
Between mom-and-pop shops, delicious eateries, and breweries on every corner, Downtown Blue Ridge has something for everyone. Some of our favorite spots to grab a bite include Mountain Mama Coffee for breakfast and Cantaberry Restaurant for lunch.
September also offers the perfect weather to sit outside at one of Blue Ridge’s many breweries and enjoy some craft beer.
See our full guide to downtown Blue Ridge for shop picks and other favorite eateries.
2. Pick Apples at Mercier Orchards
- Location: 8660 Blue Ridge Dr
- Best for: Families, apple picking, fresh baked goods
Mercier Orchards is the premier apple-picking destination in Blue Ridge. September falls in the middle of Mercier’s U-pick apple season, with varieties like Honeycrisp and Red Delicious typically ready this month.
If you pick more apples than you can eat in a day, your cabin’s kitchen makes it easy to turn the extras into a simple baked pie or crisp that evening.
Grab a fried pie or apple cider donut from the bakery on your way out, and expect it to get busier as the month goes on and fall visitors arrive.
Other orchards nearby include Hillcrest Orchards and B.J. Reece Orchards, both of which are on the outskirts of Ellijay.
3. Sip Local Wine at Bear Claw Vineyards
- Location: 2281 Tennis Court Rd
- Best for: Couples, an easy afternoon, mountain views
Looking for a relaxing afternoon activity? We suggest wine tasting at Bear Claw Vineyards. The pretty vineyard rows and mountain backdrop make for a relaxed September afternoon, especially with the season’s cooler evening air rolling in.
They’ve got it all. Award-winning wines, charming tasting room, live music on the weekends, and a food truck when you get hungry. They are also pet and kid-friendly, so bring everyone for the afternoon fun.
For more options, see our list of favorite North Georgia wineries.
4. Hike in the Aska Adventure Area
- Location: Aska Adventure Area (multiple trailheads)
- Best for: Hiking, mountain views
Cooler September mornings make this a good month to hike the Aska trail network nearby.
The entire trail system is about 17 miles long, featuring trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels. Trails offer a range of scenery, from lush forests to mountain ridges to the shores of Lake Blue Ridge.
Starting a hike by mid-morning gives you the coolest trail conditions before the afternoon heat picks up. Stop at Lake Blue Ridge for a paddle to cool off after your morning hike.
Be sure to check out our Aska trail guide to find the right hike for you.
5. Tube the Toccoa River
- Location: Toccoa River near Blue Ridge
- Best for: Families, casual floats
There is nothing as refreshing as tubing the Toccoa River on a warm September day. Local tubing outfitters make it easy to enjoy this low-cost, family-friendly water activity.
Toccoa River Tubing Company offers tubing between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm most days. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome as well.
September is the tail end of tubing season on the Toccoa River, and outfitter hours start to wind down as the month goes on. Be sure to reach out to local companies if you plan to tube during your September stay.
Plan Your September Getaway to Blue Ridge
September offers the ideal time for those looking to enjoy fewer crowds, mild weather, and a wide range of outdoor activities. From enjoying the last bits of summer to welcoming the cool air of fall, September stays are the perfect blend of all that makes Blue Ridge so special.
Ready to book your September stay? Check out our Blue Ridge cabin rentals. From cozy couple retreats to larger stays for the whole family, we’ve got what you are looking for to enjoy Blue Ridge in September!
