On Friday May 27, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon cutting for the new Amicalola Falls franchise of Timberline Glamping Company. 

Timberline Glamping Company is a North Georgia based company that offers its guests a way to camp and enjoy the great outdoors while still taking advantage of modern comforts including beds, heating and air, fridges, coffee makers and more. According to Amicalola Falls franchise owners Jeff and Sarah Johnson, they first heard about glamping when they went to one of the glampsites at Shady Grove on Lake Lanier and knew it was something they wanted to bring to Dawson County. 

“We actually heard about the glamping experience at Shady Grove at Lake Lanier; we wanted to be campers there, we wanted to try it out, and here we are,” Sarah Johnson said. “We got fully involved so now we wanted to bring the experience to Dawson County.” 

She said that glamping is a great way for those who aren’t fans of traditional camping to still enjoy a stay in the great outdoors. 

“I think every family has somebody who maybe would like to camp and somebody else who wouldn’t like to, so this kind of brings it together so that everybody can enjoy it,” Sarah Johnson said. “This is such a beautiful place to live, it’s a beautiful place to visit, and there’s just so much to offer so we’re really excited that we could kind of bridge the gap from people that don’t really love camping so much but want experience something in the great outdoors and have all the luxuries of home.” 

Several special guests were present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, including State Representative Will Wade, Senator Steve Gooch and District 2 Commissioner Chris Gaines. 

“I’m excited to be here, and I have no idea how much fun I’m gonna have with my daughter now that we’re gonna have an option for her to camp,” Wade said during the ceremony. “This is awesome; this is just another great thing to highlight what’s going on in Dawson County and this area.” 

“This is definitely a new level of ‘primitive camping’,” Gooch added, prompting laughs from those in attendance at the ceremony. “I think the Ritz Carlton needs to come up here and take a look at this; this is awesome.” 

Gaines said that, as a county commissioner, he’s seen first-hand the journey that Timberline Glamping has taken to get to where it is now, and he is excited to see it finally come to fruition. 

“To have this day happen and get it over the finish line is exciting,” Gaines said. “Dawson County has grown with the businesses, but really it’s the people behind the businesses and the passion that they have.”

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mandy Power welcomed the business and franchise owners to the community, adding that seeing Jeff and Sarah Johnson open up the business with the help of their children is exactly what she and other chamber leaders especially love.

“As a chamber of course we love businesses and we especially love small businesses, and being a family business and having everyone participate is really what we love to see,” Power said. “We are ecstatic to have Timberline Glamping join the chamber.’ 

Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Shannon Voss added that a business like Timberline Glamping Company is really a combination of many of the unique things Dawson County has to offer. 

“I can’t emphasize enough that when you take Dawson County and all the things we have to offer, this really incorporates it all with all the things we have outdoors,” Voss said. “This really just adds a whole other thing that draws so many people here, so we look forward to all your future success.” 

The Friday ribbon cutting marked the official opening day for Timberline Glamping, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Before cutting the ribbon, Sarah Johnson added that she is excited to see what guests think of the glampsites and what will come next for their business. 

“We have worked so hard the last few weeks, and just to see everybody out here appreciating it and just taking it in is really exciting; we’re so excited for what this brings,” Sarah Johnson said. “We’re just excited for our first weekend to see all the families get out here and just enjoy what has been created here.” 

For more information about Timberline Glamping Company including how to book one of the brand new Amicalola Falls glampsites, go to https://www.timberlineglamping.com/.