Talona Ridge RV Resort
Talona Ridge RV Resort Review: Luxury RV Camping in East Ellijay, Georgia
Talona Ridge RV Resort will always be special to us. It was one of the first resorts we visited in our 24-foot Winnebago View, and we have since returned twice in our 45-foot Newmar London Aire. That alone should tell you how we feel about this park—we love it.
Located in the North Georgia mountains, Talona Ridge combines beautiful views, upscale amenities, spacious paved sites, and easy access for large motorhomes. It delivers a true resort experience while still feeling connected to the mountains.
The Location and Mountain Views
Talona Ridge sits high above East Ellijay with views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort’s tiered layout gives many sites and common areas beautiful long-range views, especially around Grandview Hall and the upper pool.
Downtown Ellijay, restaurants, wineries, apple orchards, waterfalls, and hiking trails are all within an easy drive. Blue Ridge is also close enough for a day trip.
This is an excellent home base for exploring North Georgia, but the resort has enough going on that you can also spend the day relaxing without leaving.
Spacious, Big-Rig-Friendly Sites
Talona Ridge is truly big-rig friendly. We were comfortable here in our smaller Winnebago View, but returning in our 45-foot London Aire showed us how well the resort accommodates large motorhomes.
The roads and RV sites are paved, and the sites are spacious enough for your coach, slides, and outdoor setup. The resort is arranged in different elevations, so the view and atmosphere will vary depending on which section you choose.
The entire property is meticulously maintained. The landscaping, roads, sites, clubhouse, and pool areas are consistently clean and cared for. It feels polished without losing the relaxed mountain atmosphere.
Resort Amenities and Weekend Entertainment
Talona Ridge offers an impressive selection of amenities, including:
Two swimming pools, including an adults-only pool
A year-round hot tub
Grandview Hall and Grandview Bar
Talons Grille & Bar
Four pickleball courts
A dog park and dog-washing station
Clean private bath suites
Laundry facilities
Outdoor cooking pavilions
Golf-cart rentals
A camp store
A 24-hour fitness center
One of our favorite things about Talona Ridge is the weekend atmosphere. They regularly offer live music and happy hour, which gives guests a reason to get out of their RVs, relax, and meet other travelers. Sitting outside with a drink, listening to music, and looking out over the mountains is exactly what an RV resort experience should feel like.
The fitness center is just okay. It is smaller than the gyms we have seen at some other luxury RV resorts, but it has enough equipment to get in a basic workout and does the job.
Hiking and Things to Do Near Talona Ridge
If you enjoy hiking, make time for Amicalola Falls State Park. The climb beside the waterfall includes more than 600 steps and is a serious workout, but the views make it worth the effort. You can choose how much of the trail you want to tackle, so you do not have to complete the full climb to enjoy the falls.
Ellijay also offers mountain biking, waterfalls, scenic drives, wineries, and plenty of apple orchards. It is known as Georgia’s Apple Capital, making fall an especially fun time to visit. I always bring home apple butter, and I hear the fried apple pies are a big hit too.
Another place worth checking out is Roo Mountain Vineyards, located just outside downtown Ellijay. It has a modern tasting room, spacious patios, mountain views, locally produced wines, and hard cider. The vineyard is also home to The Roost, a farm-to-table bistro serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. It is a great place to enjoy a meal, try a local wine, and take in more of the North Georgia scenery.
Our Honest Opinion
Talona Ridge is one of our favorite RV resorts, and the fact that we have returned twice says more than any rating could.
It works for both smaller RVs and large luxury motorhomes, the mountain setting is beautiful, and the amenities create a fun and social resort experience. The grounds are exceptionally well maintained, and the weekend live music and happy hour add something special to the stay.
Our only disappointment during our most recent September visit had nothing to do with the resort—the weather simply did not cooperate. It was much warmer than we expected, which limited how much hiking and outdoor exploring we wanted to do. For the best mountain experience, we would personally choose a cooler time of year, especially later in the fall when the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change.
The gym could also be larger and better equipped for a resort of this level, but it is still perfectly adequate for a basic workout.
Overall, Talona Ridge delivers what we want from an upscale RV resort: big-rig access, beautiful scenery, quality amenities, a social atmosphere, and plenty to explore nearby. We would absolutely stay again—and most likely will.
Next Level RV Life Verdict: Talona Ridge is a beautifully maintained, big-rig-friendly resort with outstanding mountain views and a fun weekend atmosphere. It is an excellent choice for an RV getaway in the North Georgia mountains.
