Motor Vehicle Use Maps are legal documentation displaying the roads and trails that are open to public motor vehicle use.If a road or trail does not appear on the map it means that it is not open to public vehicular use. Find the seasonal management schedule and offical Motor Vehicle Use Mapsthat determine if a road is open to public motorized vehicles at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/RoadMaps
For the convenience of national forest visitors, a new interactive map (below) is available to help people understand temporary road closures. Please note roads may be closed at any time. Roads not on the map are not open to public vehicular use. Contact our office for daily updates.
Current Forest Service Road closures on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests:
Black roads are closed to the public Red roads are temporarily closed to the public Green roads are open year round Yellow roads are open seasonally Full map view: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/road_status
Please remember to practice TreadLightly! principles when traveling on public Forest Service roads.
Travel Responsibly Respect the Rights of Others Educate Yourself Avoid Sensitive Areas Do Your Part
Contact(s):
Chattooga River Ranger District, 706-754-6221
After heavy rains and damage from erosion, Forest Service officials on the Chattooga River Ranger District temporarily closed several National Forest roads to motorized public access.
Temporary closure to vehicles is required to protect and maintain roads adjacent to sensitive wildlife habitat and streams. Closures will continue until necessary to prevent further damage.
Motorized trails close when conditions are wet to prevent trail damage and erosion into streams. Check the status of your favorite trail or Call Before You Haul.
Contact(s):
Chattooga River Ranger District at (706)754-6221
The Chattooga River Ranger District has issued a temporary trail closure for the Panther Creek Trail in Habersham County Georgia.
Recent high-water events have caused significant damage to the Panther Creek Trail. Bridges are no longer in place requiring hikers to ford Panther Creek and minor tributaries. Sections of the trail tread washed away and sustainable passage to the falls is no longer possible at this time. In addition, high winds and saturated soils led to a higher number of downed trees impacting hiker safety. We appreciate visitor's cooperation while staff work to make the trail safe and address resource damage in order to open Panther Creek Trail soon.
The Forest Service understands the inconvenience of this temporary closure and appreciates the public respecting the resource by finding open sustainable trails to hike. For a map of alternative trails, visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/InteractiveVisitorMap.
As a result of a culvert failure following record rainfall, the Chattooga District is temporarily closing Hale Ridge Road (FSR7) north from the Mt Zion Church and Cemetery to the parking area for 3 Forks Trail. This closure does not affect access to private lands, while also allowing public access to both Rabun Bald Trail and 3 Forks Trailheads. Visit the Interactive Visitor Map to review alternative access points to the Warwoman WMA.
While beautiful, waterfalls pose risks to unprepared visitors. Each year serious injuries and fatalities occur at Georgia waterfalls.
The best way to enjoy a waterfall is from a safe distance. Heed posted warning signs indicating danger and stay on established trails. Never climb on or around waterfalls and never play in the water above a waterfall. Rocks can be slippery and it is easy to lose your balance. Currents near waterfalls can be extremely swift even in areas further upstream.
Never jump off waterfalls or dive into plunge pools at the base of waterfalls. Rocks and logs can be hidden and swirling water currents can drag and keep you underwater.
Have fun and enjoy the beauty, but please be safe!
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and evaluate potential impacts and adjustments to public use as recommended by guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USDA.
For the convenience of national forest visitors, a new interactive map is available to help people understand temporary road closures. Official Motor Vehicle Use Mapsdetermine if a road is open to public motorized vehicles. Contact our office for daily updates.
Please note roads may be closed at any time. Roads not on the map are not open to public vehicular use.
Red roads are temporarily closed to the public Green roads are open year round Yellow roads are open seasonally Black roads are closed to the public Full map view: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/road_status
On December 20, 2018, the Farm Bill was enacted into law. Officially entitled Public Law 115-334, the legislation incorporated the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land Adjustment Act as Section 8625.
Information about the pending sale of ten acres adjacent to Lake Lanier, with proceeds to be retained through The Sisk Act for the future acquisition of land located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest boundaries.