If you’ve ever dreamed of sleeping among the trees, a property in the Epworth, GA, forest might be just the place.
“The structure itself is very unique. It’s a steel watchtower built to commercial grade but for residential purposes, purely for leisurely enjoyment, for getaways, for the adventurer at heart,” says listing agent Logan Fitts with Mountain Sotheby’s International Realty.
Listed for $1.2 million, the 60-foot-high tower sits on 14.31 acres of land adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest with about 3,000 feet of river frontage.
“I was definitely awestruck first by the property itself, the river frontage, the waterfalls on the property, all of the hemlock trees dispersed throughout the property,” Fitts says. “But then when we went to the top of the property where the watchtower was, I was in total awe.”
Two shipping containers are perched atop the tower, creating the living space.
“The main structure is the bedroom efficiency with a bed, sitting area, stove, kitchenette. There’s a landing between and then across is the bathroom area with a full shower, toilet, and double vanity,” he explains. “Then there’s a spiral staircase to the rooftop fire pit and lounge area.”
And while there is a lift for things like suitcases and packages, people need to walk up 82 steel-grated stairs, which Fitts admits can be a bit daunting.
“I was actually nervous going up the tower for the first time because it’s high and it is an experience. But once I did it, I said, ‘This is what real mountain experiences are like. This is something that people remember for the rest of their lives.'”
Once up there, the view is everything.
“You are surrounded by just foliage, so when you’re at the top, you just see a full panoramic view of the mountains and valley across one way, and you hear the roaring river on the property down below. You can actually see the waterfall,” Fitts says.
“It’s like a glass birdhouse at the top of this mountain, and you feel like you’re definitely elevated and away from everything, but still connected to nature.”
To get to the property itself requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, because some of the roads are gravel and visitors need to cross the Jacks River, literally.
“Anyone with a four-wheel-drive or some type of ground clearance should have zero issue forging the river,” Fitts explains, adding that the river is shallow at the access point. “It’s not scary if you’ve done it before, and once you do it, it’s like ‘OK, now I’m an adventurer.'”
The current owner has had the place for about a decade and completed the tower house in 2023. Since then, it has been a short-term rental, bringing in about $92,000 annually during a nine-month rental period.
The owner would “love to pass it to someone that would take it, create a new legacy, and maybe make it even better,” Fitts says.
“I think more than anything, he wants a true outdoors lover to really appreciate this property and not just see a metal dwelling in the middle of the forest. He built it for people to really enjoy nature, embrace nature, and take care of nature.”
While the property itself is off-grid with solar power, a well, septic system, and generator, it’s not physically far from civilization.
“Probably the property is maybe 30 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge,” Fitts says, adding it just feels remote. “Once you’re there, you’re in a totally different world. Your neighbors are trees and wildlife.”
