Morganton cabins and the east shore of Lake Blue Ridge

The old county seat

Morganton was the seat of Fannin County until the Georgia legislature approved moving it to Blue Ridge on December 13, 1895, after the railroad had made Blue Ridge the busier town (New Georgia Encyclopedia, New Georgia Encyclopedia). Today it is a small town on the east side of Lake Blue Ridge.

Morganton Point

The Forest Service’s Morganton Point Recreation Area is the only developed campground on the lake, open all year and run by the Blue Ridge Ranger District (U.S. Forest Service). Day use is $5 per person 16 and older, launching a boat trailer is $5, and campsites start at $30 a night (U.S. Forest Service). For an owner without a private dock, a public launch nearby matters.

Buying on the east shore

• Town or county. Morganton is its own small town. Check whether a parcel is inside town limits, because town rules sit on top of the county’s.
• Docks. The same TVA Section 26a rules apply on every part of the lake (TVA rules, 18 CFR 1304). See the Lake Blue Ridge guide.
• Rentals. Outside city limits the county certificate applies (Fannin County rental ordinance 2025-02). See the rental rules.

Quieter lake side

Morganton and the east shore

The small town that was the county seat until 1895, on the lake’s east side near Morganton Point.

• Lake
• Quiet

• Morganton Point Recreation Area is the lake’s only developed campground, with a boat launch.
• Away from downtown traffic, on the far side of the lake.

Check first: Check whether a parcel is inside Morganton’s own town limits; town rules sit on top of the county’s.

Morganton cabins

Questions