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Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat

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Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 17371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Ellijay, GA
  • Place, Rich Mountain Wilderness
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Cartecay River
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Ellijay Marketplace
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 17)

Bedroom 1

+5
3 King Beds, 1 Queen Bed, 4 Double Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

About this property

Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat

Welcome to your dream mountain retreat! Nestled in the breathtaking Ellijay Mountains, this spacious 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom getaway offers the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. With room for up to 17 guests, panoramic views, and endless amenities, this is your family mountain getaway!





Nearby Adventures:





🍷


10 min – Ellijay Vineyards



🚣


10 min – Cartecay River Experience



🥾


5–20 min – Scenic hiking trails galore



🚂


25 min – Blue Ridge Scenic Railway



🌊


30 min – Amicalola Falls State Park





Highlights of Your Stay:





☀


5 Cozy Bedrooms: 3 kings, 1 queens, 1 futon, 4 full beds, and even a crib for the little ones.



☀


4 Beautiful Bathrooms: Including a spa-like master bath with dual showers and a soaking tub.



☀


Modern Rustic Kitchen: Fully stocked with everything you need, plus a coffee bar for your morning brews.



☀


Incredible Outdoor Space: Expansive deck, multiple fire pits, a BBQ grill, and a hot tub with stunning lake and mountain views.



☀


Entertainment for All Ages: Game room with skee ball, foosball, karaoke, pool table, and a movie-ready pit couch.



☀


Kids’ Dream Playroom: A bunk room with a rock wall, slide, monkey bars, and space to let their imaginations run wild.



☀


Total Privacy: Surrounded by nature, with no close neighbors.



☀


Unforgettable Views: Wake up to the mountains and a quiet lake – it’s pure magic.

☀
Access to Walnut Mountain Amenities: As part of the Walnut Mountain HOA, you’ll have access to a seasonal outdoor pool, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball court, scenic picnic areas, and even a couple of peaceful lakes to explore. The perfect bonus for days when you want to stay close but still enjoy the great outdoors.



★ Kind Words from Happy Guests ★





"Absolutely would stay here again. This home appealed to all ages (ranging from 7 to 40s) and was the perfect location to unwind and spend time together".   -Melissa





“ We all agreed that we will come back again. We hated to leave and checked out at the last minute just so we could soak up every ounce of coziness that the property and house had to offer! You won’t regret staying here! Thanks again Pam and Gerry” – Erin





“JUST BOOK IT! The pictures this home do no justice. It’s such a cozy and cute lake house with an endless amount of fun. You never have to leave the house because there is truly so much to do!” -Ryan





Let’s Break It Down







🏠




Bedrooms





Each bedroom is designed with your comfort in mind:



• Master Suite: King bed, sitting area, office nook, and dreamy lake views.



• Second Suite: King bed, futon bed, private bath, and cozy seating – ideal for couples or solo travelers.



• Main Floor: Two additional bedrooms – one with a king, the other with a queen bed for ultimate comfort.



• Bunk Room: A kid’s haven with 4 full beds and a built-in play area featuring a rock wall, slide, and monkey bars.







🍽️




Kitchen & Dining





Step into a rustic-modern kitchen complete with all the tools you need to whip up delicious meals. Gather around the dining table for 12 or enjoy your meals al fresco on the deck while soaking in the mountain views.







🛋️




Living Space





This living room is a showstopper! With soaring vaulted ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and panoramic views, it’s the perfect spot to relax, reconnect, and make memories.







🎮




Game Room





The ultimate entertainment zone! Enjoy arcade classics, skee ball, karaoke, board games, and pool. Cozy up in the movie pit couch for family film nights, complete with popcorn from your very own popcorn machine.







🌄




Outdoor Paradise





Take in the beauty of the Ellijay Mountains from the wraparound deck. Relax by one of the three fire pits, grill up a feast, or unwind in the hot tub as you enjoy lake views or watch the sun set over the mountains.





Pet-Friendly Fun





Bring your furry friends along! Up to 2 dogs are welcome (pet fee applies). They’ll love exploring the trails with you.





Your Mountain Escape Awaits!





Book your stay today and experience the magic of Ellijay! Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, this is the perfect place to call home for your mountain getaway.




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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Ellijay

Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in Walnut Mountain, a neighbourhood in Ellijay. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and Tabor House & Civil War Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ellijay River Vineyards and Cartecay Vineyards. Ellijay Marketplace and Gilmer County Fairgrounds are also worth visiting.
View more Holiday homes in EllijayOpens in a new window
Map
Ellijay, GA

What's nearby

  • Rich Mountain Wilderness - 5 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Cartecay River - 12 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Ellijay Marketplace - 13 min drive - 12.6 km
  • Tabor House & Civil War Museum - 13 min drive - 12.1 km
  • Ellijay River Vineyards - 14 min drive - 9.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Chili Dog - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Arby's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Hardee's / Red Burrito - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat?

As of 26 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat on 16 May 2026 start from AU$769, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake Dakwa Lodge, Lake Dakwa Lodge Lakeside Retreat located?

Located in Walnut Mountain, this holiday home is steps from Chattahoochee National Forest and 1.3 mi (2.2 km) from Rich Mountain Wilderness. Cartecay River and Ellijay Marketplace are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashleigh G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house was perfect for our family of 9. There was plenty of space for everyone! We enjoyed playing games, walking around the lake and fishing while we were there. We especially loved being able to fit around the dinner table to spend time together at each meal. The hot tub was perfect for evening relaxation, and we had at least 2 nights around the fire pit. The hosts are extremely responsive and accommodating, and we really appreciated the hospitality. Most of all, the house was decorated for Christmas and it felt like home! We loved this stay and can’t recommend it enough!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Seth I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

Cannot wait to go back. Great place for the kids and the parents to have their own space with plenty of room.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vanja I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing views, space for everyone

There were 18 of us that came to enjoy your cabin. The basement was amazing for kids, fully stocked with games, 2 large tv's. The space upstairs was spacious and we all enjoyed the views. Thank you for having us.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation 2024

The entire home was awesome. Especially for a large group of all ages. The kids had plenty to do and even the babies had things there and set up for an easy stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Samantha E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worth every penny

The home is exactly like the photos. Beautiful and spacious. We had 8 adults and 5 children. And plenty to do in the house and in town. The attention to details to the space for children and even having headphones for the piano so the kids could play without driving the adults crazy. The views, the lake and the jacuzzi were by far my favorite. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family had an amazing stay at Lake Dakwa Lodge! The location is stunning—overlooking the lake with a huge deck that has plenty of seating and fire pits, perfect for roasting marshmallows with the grandkids. It was the ideal spot to relax and enjoy the view.The cabin fit our group of sixteen perfectly. Everyone had their own spacious bedroom, and the primary suite was a dream—definitely worth claiming! The kitchen made cooking Thanksgiving a breeze, and the large dining table was perfect for meals and games.We loved the four-sided glass fireplace, which became a cozy gathering spot, and the big hanging swing was a hit with the kids, who imagined it as pirate ships, rockets, and everything in between.The rock wall and slide in the playroom downstairs kept the little ones busy for hours, while the adults enjoyed playing pool, making popcorn, and watching football games and movies. And of course, everyone got in on the fun playing skeeball and basketball.With such gorgeous scenery, we couldn’t resist taking tons of family photos—the backdrop was picture-perfect everywhere we turned. We had a wonderful time and created memories we’ll cherish forever. We’ve rented cabins over the years, but everyone agreed that this one far surpassed all the others.If you’re lucky enough to find open dates, don’t hesitate—Lake Dakwa Lodge does not disappoint!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Megan G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Girls Getaway Weekend

We had the BEST weekend staying at this property! We had 13 girls in total and this house was SO spacious and had a bed for everyone! Some of the highlights of the home were the large gathering area upstairs and the Dining table that could fit all 13 girls with no problem. The cabin is well stocked with everything we could need and you can tell the owners take a lot of pride in their cabin. They texted me checking in the entirety of our stay and when we needed more bath towels, she had some delivered within hours! The only 4 star I gave was for cleanliness as there were some things left behind from the previous visitors (boxers in the closet, a qtip on the night stand) but nothing that could deter us from staying again! The Hot Tub was also very clean which is hard to find at vacation homes. We could have stayed a few more days and still had things to do with all the games and activities in the basement! Definitely saving this place for future trips!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

THERESA P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Kids Paradise

This is a must if you have kids. We have 10 year old triplets and a six year old and they never wanted to leave the house. Everything was just as it was posted. Very clean and organized. Pam, the host, was very quick to respond to any questions that I may have had. The house is located on a quaint little lake which added to the beauty of it all. It is also located in a good proximity to Blue Ridge, downtown Elijay, and Cherry Log where there is a great stable. We were only able to do a long weekend but the kids have asked to stay a week next time. Great place! I know we will be back. Just too much to offer not to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tammy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Birthday Get Away

From the second we walked through the front door we knew we had made the perfect choice. This home is inviting, spacious, luxurious! Well equipped is an understatement! A real Wow! We had a total of 4 couples the first half of our stay, then a total of 11 people the second half including all of our kids, spouses, and grandkids and the spaces were perfect to truly enjoy one another’s company, yet also have the option of relaxing in the privacy of your own bedroom. (The master bedroom suite was the perfect place to start and end each day.) Everyone enjoyed the incredible game room, the deck, the hot tub, making meals together, the walk around the lake, the feeling that you were in the middle of nowhere yet being just 10 minutes from town, tubing down the river, and close by wineries and some good restaurants - we ventured out almost every day but really would have been content to never leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becky R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a wonderful place for allll ages!!

Our family - myself, the "Nana", two daughters and spouses and 4 kids ranging in ages from 9-18 all had a wonderful stay at this home. There was enough to do right around the house for at least a day and a half. Pedal boat, hot tub, the game room in the house is incredible - all kept everyone entertained. Some went fishing in the lake (it is a small lake -but still fun). Then... if that is not enough find a gazillions areas to go hiking within a 45 minute drive. We did a fantastic 9 mile hike - part of the AT- one day. Rested the next day in the hot tub! For the adults there are several wineries that were super fun. Children were welcome and there was plenty of room for them to run around while the adults chilled. The home itself has the best equipped kitchen I have ever encountered in a vacation rental. The owners are super communicative and quick with responses. Clear instructions - no overbearing "rules". Easy checkin and checkout. Highly recommend Lake Dakwa Lodge!! Elijah is cute town and Blue Ridge is an easy drive - had dinner there one night at Whiskey and Water - very good! Go and have fun!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

About the host

Hosted by Pamela Fordham

Host profile image
Hello friends,

We are the Fordham's (Gerry & Pamela)! We are originally from the beautiful state of Utah, but since becoming empty nesters, we have been spending our time between California, Arizona, Nevada and most recently Georgia.

In our 36 incredible years together, we've built a beautiful family with 4 children, 4 bonus in-law children, and 5 awesome grandchildren. Our favorite thing to do is spend time with our ever-growing family.

Pamela works as a labor and delivery nurse and Gerry flies helicopters as a life-flight pilot. We feel very blessed to have both found careers that we love! When we are not working or spending time with our beautiful family, we both enjoy playing poker. We have a second vacation rental in Las Vegas that we often visit so we can easily find our way to a poker room and try our luck!

We are happy to share our beautiful lakeside lodge with you and your family. We hope you will be able to fill the lodge with love & laughter, and make new and beautiful memories with friends and family!

Why they chose this property

We have fallen in love with the Blue Ridge/Ellijay area. It is incredibly beautiful, and there is so much to see and do outdoors! We fell in love with Lake Dakwa Lodge the moment we stepped out on the balcony. The view of the lake is absolutely breathtaking, and is the perfect place to go and relax, unwind, and forget about the worries of everyday life. There is just something special about being in nature that refuels the soul!

What makes this property unique

Lake Dakwa Lodge offers plenty of space and fun activities for large or extended families to come together! We have enjoyed spending time playing games together in the game room, hiking, and playing at the lake. But one of our favorite things to do is just relax and enjoy the view off the balcony.

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