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Young Harris College Campus Tour

A mountain college in a Blue Ridge valley since 1886

Self-guided walking tour in Young Harris · 0.7 mi · walking · ~45m · 5 stops

Young Harris College Campus Tour — A mountain college in a Blue Ridge valley since 1886 · Georgia Roam self-guided tour
▶ Included with GeorgiaRoam+ in the app
The Tour

Tucked in a high mountain valley of the Blue Ridge, Young Harris College was founded in 1886 by a circuit-riding Methodist minister to bring education to the southern Appalachians. Its walkable campus pairs 19th-century landmarks with modern arts and science centers, all ringed by 4,000-foot peaks.

Young Harris College Campus Tour is a self-guided walking tour of Young Harris, built around its campus side.

The walk covers 5 stops over about 0.7 miles and roughly 45 minutes, entirely at your own pace. Each stop's story unlocks on your phone the moment you arrive — GPS-triggered, hands-free, no guide and no tour group to keep up with.

What you'll see

Young Harris College is small enough to walk end to end in a few minutes, and the mountains are visible from most of it. The oldest part of campus is close by. The brick Susan B. Harris Chapel with its square bell tower dates to 1892 and honors the wife of the judge whose gifts kept the school alive. Nearby Sharp Hall was rebuilt by the townspeople after a 1911 fire, when the college might otherwise have left town.

The tour also covers the college's newer chapters. The Clegg Fine Arts Center is home to the theatre and music programs, and its large performance hall fills for concerts and musicals. The Maxwell Center holds the science labs and the Rollins Planetarium, which has run public star shows since 1979. The Rollins Campus Center opened in 2014 as the college grew into a four-year school, and it houses the library and dining hall.

The loop is about 0.7 miles on foot and takes around 45 minutes, on mostly gentle paths. October brings vivid fall color to the Brasstown Valley, and spring brings mountain laurel and dogwoods. To catch a planetarium show, check the college's schedule and plan your walk around it. The Georgia Roam app shares each building's story as you reach it.

Along the way

The 1892 Susan B. Harris Chapel, the oldest building on campus
The 1892 Susan B. Harris Chapel, the oldest building on campus. Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Arched entry and bell tower of the Susan B. Harris Chapel in spring
Arched entry and bell tower of the Susan B. Harris Chapel in spring. Photo: KudzuVine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Sharp Hall, built in 1912 after fire destroyed the college's main classroom building
Sharp Hall, built in 1912 after fire destroyed the college's main classroom building. Photo: KudzuVine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Charles R. Clegg Fine Arts Building, home of YHC's theatre and music programs
The Charles R. Clegg Fine Arts Building, home of YHC's theatre and music programs. Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Maxwell Center, which houses the science labs and the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium
The Maxwell Center, which houses the science labs and the O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium. Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Rollins Campus Center, opened in 2014, with the library and dining hall
The Rollins Campus Center, opened in 2014, with the library and dining hall. Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What you get

Stops
5
GPS-triggered along the route
Distance
0.7 mi
walking
Time
45m
at your own pace
Access
GeorgiaRoam+
one subscription unlocks every tour & trail

Watch

Zell Miller visitation in Young Harris · 11Alive
Young Harris College Concert Band presents "Color Orbit" - Monday, March 2nd, 2026 · YoungHarrisCollege

Tour FAQ

How long does this tour take?

About 45 minutes at an easy pace, covering 5 stops over roughly 0.7 miles. It's self-guided, so you can stop, skip or split it across days.

How do I take this tour?

Download Georgia Roam for iPhone or iPad from the App Store. The tour is included with GeorgiaRoam+, which unlocks every Georgia Roam tour and trail. Each stop's story plays when you arrive, using your phone's GPS. It isn't available on the web map.

Can I see a show at the Rollins Planetarium?

Yes. The planetarium in the Maxwell Center holds public shows throughout the year. Check the schedule at yhc.edu/community/planetarium before your visit.

When is the best time to visit?

Weekdays during the school year show the campus at its liveliest. Mid-to-late October is peak fall color in the mountains around Young Harris.

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