Appalachian Trail in Georgia
IMPORTANT INFORMATION POST STORM FERN:
Recent impacts from Storm Fern have resulted in downed trees, unstable footing, and other hazardous conditions along portions of the Appalachian Trail on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
Trail crews are actively assessing conditions and working to remove storm debris, but this work takes time and requires heavy equipment and saw operations in the corridor. For visitor safety and to support efficient recovery efforts, hikers are strongly encouraged to postpone trips through affected sections of the trail until cleanup is complete and conditions improve.
Entering storm-damaged areas increases the risk of injury and can slow or complicate ongoing work. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is coordinating closely with the USDA Forest Service and will provide updates as conditions change. Thank you for your patience and for helping protect both trail users and the crews working to restore safe access.
For more information, visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website.
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Stretching across 14 states, more than 76 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT) are in Georgia. This stretch of the AT offers views of some of the state's most diverse and stunning ecosystems as it winds northward through the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area, and passes through five federally designated wilderness areas.
General Information
The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail begins on the expansive rock outcrop overlook at the top of Springer Mountain at 3,782 feet above sea level. A plaque reading "Georgia to Maine--a footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness" is embedded in the mountain to commemorate the Appalachian Trail.
The 76.4 miles of the AT passing through Georgia are protected by a one mile boundary secured by an agreement between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. See information about safety and crime prevention from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Although the section of the AT passing through Georgia can be accessed and enjoyed all year long, there are better times than others to make the trip. In March and early April Georgia receives a flood of Spring-Breakers and thru-hikers. If you're looking for a more solitary experience, you will most likely want to avoid these months.
Bears can learn to associate people with food, and they are tenacious in their pursuit of something to eat. Good food storage habits greatly reduce the chance of aggressive interactions between bears and hikers during daytime activities and when sleeping in the forest. Leave No Trace partners with the USDA Forest Service to provide safety tips for outdoor recreation. Their video https://youtu.be/H0YDtPW6ntU shows how to pack a bear-resistant container, plus important safety tips for camping and cooking in bear country. FOREST CLOSURE ORDER 08-00-00-23-02R, signed 4/14/2023, regulating food and refuse on USFS property.
