Recreation
- Rules for Visitors - ensure your health and safety, protect the forest, & keep recreation an enjoyable experience for everyone
- Read Motor Vehicle Use Regulations to learn more about where to legally operate and why OHVs are prohibited on Forest Service roads.
- Visit Us! Visitor information for all national forests.
- Fall Colors - The National Forests are a great place to view autumn splendor!
Interactive Forest Visitor Map
Use the Interactive Forest Visitor Map to locate roads, campgrounds, trails and other recreation sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. You can zoom in for high resolution detail and change the background map to suit your needs. Using the Tools icon, you can print your map or save it as a Geo PDF map. You can also import your Geo PDF to your phone or tablet using a program like Avenza to show your live location on the map - even without a cell signal! Download mobile apps: Apple App or Google Play
- Printed and other maps for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
- About the Forest Service Visitor Map
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Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Andrews Cove Campground | Open | Andrews Cove is open for the 2024 season. All Camping is by Reservation Only. There is no First Come/First Serve. Reservations are done through: www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
Angel Falls Trailhead | None | Winter trailhead parking area opened year-round with no amenities |
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area | Open | Anna Ruby Falls is open during normal business hours. For normal operations please go to https://gofindoutdoors.org/ |
Appalachian Trail in Georgia | None | Hiking the A.T. is discouraged at this time. Further guidance is available on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website. |
Aska Trail System | Open | |
Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area | Open | |
Barnes Creek Picnic Area | Open | Barnes Creek is a day-use picnic area only. No camping! |
Bartram Trail | None | Welcome to the Bartram National Recreation Trail. The trail is open and ready for you to visit. |
Bear Creek Trail | Open | Bear Creek campground is a walk-in camping area only. No pop-ups or RVs are accomodated. |
Beasley Knob OHV Trails | Open | |
Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia | Open | |
Blue Ridge Ranger District | Open | |
Boggs Creek Recreation Area | Open | |
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center | Open | ELEVATOR OUT OF SERVICE – The elevator is currently out of service. Please note the only way to access the observation deck and/or Visitor Center Museum and Theater is by taking the stairs. We are working to make it operational as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience. |
Broad River Trail | None | |
Byron Herbert Reece Trail | Open | |
Chattooga River District | Open | |
Chattooga River Trail | Temporarily Closed | |
Chestatee Overlook | Open | |
Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range | Open | Pay for your activity pass at Chestnut Mountain with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Log into your Recreation.gov account through the mobile app and scan the QR code at the area. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one to use Scan & Pay before you go to the range. Please have your proof of payment available for review upon request. |
Cohutta Overlook | Open | |
Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads | Open | Rice Camp and East Cowpen trails still have down trees from recent heavy storm systems. Forest Service employees and volunteers will be working to clear this as soon as possible. |
Conasauga Ranger District | Open | |
Cooper Creek Recreation Area | Open | As of August 30, the water system at Cooper Creek and Mulky Campground will be shut off. Environmental factors have resulted in an insufficient water supply, and water quality monitoring has revealed bacteria levels above that deemed safe by the state of Georgia. Management has taken the system offline to allow source recovery and for operators to take all necessary steps to provide safe drinking water for campground visitors. While this change is temporary, visitors should be aware the campground will likely be without water for the rest of the operating season. Please contact the Blue Ridge Ranger District for more information. |
Cottonwood Patch Campground | Open | Cottonwood Patch has transitioned to camping by reservation only. Reservations are required and must be made through http://www.recreation.gov You must create an account to be able to reserve a campsite, or call toll free at 877-444-6777, 10 a.m. to midnight. After you book your site, you will receive a gate code for access to the campground. |
Davenport Mountain OHV Trails | Open | |
DeSoto Falls Recreation Area | Open | Pay for you activity pass at DeSoto Falls Day Use with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Log into your Recreation.gov account through the mobile app and scan the QR code at the area and follow the on-screen instructions. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one to use Scan & Pay. You can purchase the DeSoto Falls Day Use Annual Pass at Recreation.gov or a Chattahoochee-Oconee Forest Annual Pass for $25 is available at Forest Service offices in Gainesville, Blairsville, Chatsworth, Lakemont, and Eatonton, Georgia. The DeSoto Falls Day Use daily activity pass must be purchased at the area. |
Deep Hole Recreation Area | Open | Pay for you activity pass at Deep Hole Day Use with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Log into your Recreation.gov account through the mobile app and scan the QR code at the area and follow the on-screen instructions. You will need to download the free Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. |
Deep Hole Recreation Area | Open | |
Dockery Lake Recreation Area | Open | |
Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead | Open | The parking lot is day use only: NO CAMPING in the parking lot. |
Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area | Open | Open year-round |
Duncan Ridge Trail | Open | |
Dyar Pasture Recreation Area | Open | Open sunrise to sunset |
Frady Branch Equestrian and Bike Trail System | Temporarily Closed | Open year-round |
Helton Creek Falls | Open | |
Hickey Gap Campground | Open | |
Hitchiti Trail | Open | |
Houston Valley OHV Trails | Open | There is no longer a fee tube at Houston Valley. This location uses Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app ahead of your visit to arrive ready to pay. Call before you haul! Houston Valley closes for several days after significant rainfall. Nights and weekends, call 706-695-6736 ext. 2 for status. |
Iron Mountain Trail | Open | |
Jacks River Fields Campground | Open | |
Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System | Open | |
John's Mountain Overlook | Open | |
Keown Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead | Open | |
Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area | Open | |
Lake Conasauga | Closed | The campground and picnic area are closed for winter. Lake Conasauga is now reservation only. Reservations are accepted at Recreation.gov. You may also make your reservations by phone toll-free at 877-444-6777. |
Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground | Open | This is not the main camping loop. There are only 6 campsites in the Overflow, no water and only a vault toilet. The main camping loop does not open until mid-April. Hikers may park here to hike the trails associated with Lake Conasauga. |
Lake Conasauga Picnic and Swim Site | Closed | The picnic area is closed for winter. |
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area | Open | |
Lake Rabun Campground | Closed | Open for the new season. |
Lake Russell Boat Launch and Beach Areas | Open | Boat Launch is open year-round. Beach facilities are open for the summer season. |
Lake Russell Recreation Area Campground | Open | Lake Russell Campground is currently open and ready for you to reserve a site on your next visit to this beautiful campground. All Camping is by Reservation Only. There is no First Come/First Service. Reservations are done by contacting: www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
Lake Sinclair Recreation Area | Open | OPEN |
Lake Winfield Scott Campground | Open | |
Lakewood Landing Boat Launch | Open | Pay for you activity pass at Lakewood Landing Boat Ramp with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Log into your Recreation.gov account through the mobile app and scan the QR code at the area and follow the on-screen instructions. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one to use Scan & Pay. All visitors must fill out an index card provided with the confirmation number provided after mobile payment. This confirmation then needs to be displayed on the vehicle dash for proof of payment. |
Locust Stake OHV Trail System | Temporarily Closed | Area closed to all OHV activity |
Low Gap Campground | Open | Low Gap Campground is open for the 2024 season. All Camping is by Reservation Only. There is no First Come/First Service. Reservations are done by contacting: www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
Mill Creek Overlook | Open | |
Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area | Open | |
Morganton Point Campground | Open | Updated 6/13/24: Recent tests at the Morganton Point Recreation Area on Lake Blue Ridge, Fannin County, GA are within the water quality standards established by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for swimming. If next week’s test results continue to be within EPD standards, the 30 day test sample average will allow the Forest Service and FIND Outdoors to remove the advisory on swimming and wading at the beach area. Morganton Point Recreation Area is open for camping, picnicking, launching boats, and other recreational activities, and visitors may continue to use the beach until the advisory is removed. |
Mount Yonah Trail Head | Temporarily Closed | |
Mountaintown Overlook | Open | |
Mulky Campground | Open | |
Nancytown Day Use | Temporarily Closed | Temporarily closed |
Oakey Mountain OHV Trails | Temporarily Closed | |
Ocmulgee Bluff Horse Bike and Hike Trail System | Open | Open Sunrise to Sunset - Day use area only |
Oconee Ranger District | Open | Office is open -Please call ahead if you are interested in purchasing passes 706-485-7110, Cell- 706-819-8597, |
Oconee River Campground | Open | |
Panther Creek Recreation Area | Temporarily Closed | The picnic area and parking area/bathrooms are closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, please stay out of that area. The Panther Creek Trail is opened to intermediate and advanced hikers only. The Chattooga River Ranger District has issued a hiker warning for the Panther Creek Trail in Habersham County Georgia. Bridges are no longer in place requiring hikers to Ford Panther Creek and minor tributaries. Sections of the trail tread washed away and passage to the falls is possible just use extra safety precautions. We appreciate visitors' cooperation while staff works to make the trail safe and address resource damage. |
Peeples Lake | Open | |
Pinhoti Trail in Georgia | Open | |
Ravens Cliff Trailhead | Temporarily Closed | Open year-round |
Redlands Recreation Area | Open | |
Roberts Bike Camp OHV Trails | Closed | Closed when wet or raining. No riding when wet, raining, snowing, etc. |
Rock Creek ORV Trail | Open | |
Rocky Flats Seasonal Road | Open | Rocky Flats is now a seasonal road open for various hunting seasons. |
Sandy Bottoms Campground | Temporarily Closed | Sandy Bottoms Campground is closed for the winter season. Starting January 1, 2025, All Camping will be by Reservation Only. There will no longer be any First Come/First Service. |
Sarah's Creek Campground | Temporarily Closed | Quiet hours are from 10 pm-6 am daily. During quiet hours generators, music, or other disturbing noises are not allowed. Starting January 1, 2025, All Camping will be by Reservation Only. There will no longer be any First Come/First Service. |
Scull Shoals Historic Site | Open | Open during daylight hours only. |
Sosebee Cove Scenic Area and Trail | Open | |
Springer Mountain Trailhead | Open | |
Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain Bike Trai | None | Open from Sunrise to Sunset |
Sumac Creek Shooting Range | Open | Pay for your activity pass at Sumac Creek with the Recreation.gov Mobile App. Log into your Recreation.gov account through the mobile app and scan the QR code at the area. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to create one to use Scan & Pay. Please have your proof of payment available for review upon request. You may also login to Recreation.gov on your home computer to pay for the daily pass. |
Swords Recreation Area | Open | Open Sunrise to Sunset hours only |
Tallulah River Campground | Open | Tallulah River Campground is open year-round. All camping at Tallulah River Campground is by Reservation Only. |
Tate Branch Campground | Temporarily Closed | Tate Branch Campground is open for the 2024 season. Starting January 1, 2025, All Camping will be by Reservation Only. There will no longer be any First Come/First Service. |
Tatum Lead ORV Trail | Open | Tatum Lead trail is suitable for 4WD trucks and jeeps since there is no parking lot to off-load ATVs and 4-wheelers. |
The Pocket Recreation Area | Closed | The campground is closed for winter. The Pocket campground has transitioned to reservations only beginning in 2025. Reservations are now being accepted at Recreation.gov for 2025. |
The Pocket Recreation Area Family Picnic Area | Open | |
The Pocket Recreation Area Group Picnic Shelter | Open | |
Toccoa River Canoe Trail | Open | |
Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area | Open | Beginning October 2, 2024 - Toccoa River - Sandy Bottoms Day Use Area will no longer accept cash or check payments on site. Learn more here. |
Town Creek OHV Trails | Closed | Please do not ride when wet. Riding when raining or wet damages the trails!
|
Track Rock Petroglyphs | Closed | |
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground | Temporarily Closed | The campground is open for the 2024 season. There is no water available. All Camping is by Reservation Only. There is no First Come/First Service. Reservations are done online at: www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
Waters Creek Day Use Area | Open | |
West Fork Campground | Open | Open year-round Starting January 1, 2025, All Camping will be by Reservation Only. There will no longer be any First Come/First Service. |
Whissenhunt OHV Trails | Open |
Whissenhunt OHV Trail has recently changed from a two-way directional riding to a one-way only trail. Please review the map below to become acquainted with these new changes and enjoy the ride! Trail Map |
Wildcat Creek Campground #1 Lower | Temporarily Closed | Wildcat 1 campground is closed due to road damage. |
Wildcat Creek Campground #2 Upper | Temporarily Closed | Wildcat 2 campground is closed due to road damage. |
Willis Knob Horse Camp | Open | Open year-round, requires reservations to camp. |
Windy Gap, Milma Creek, and Tibbs OHV Trails | Open | The northern portion of Tibbs Trail has been decommissioned due to poor trail conditions. There is no longer access to Tibbs Trail from the Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground. Only the southern portion of Tibbs Trail remains, with access via Milma Creek Trail from Windy Gap Trail. |
Wise Creek Canoe Launch | Open | Please be cautious of flooding |
Woody Gap Trailhead | Open |
Spotlights
Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway
Cool in the summer, mild in the winter, the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway encircles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and is surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest. The drive is ideal for viewing colorful wildflowers or dazzling fall color. Secluded valley views of Wilderness Areas abound along the way. The 40-mile loop follows State Highways 348, 180, and 17/75. Allow at least three hours driving time. Outdoor Fun in the North Georgia Mountains highlights the byway and popular mountain recreation stops.
Tallulah River Campground
At an elevation of 2,080 ft., on the banks of the Tallulah River, this campground is a favorite. If you like hiking, the Coleman River Trail is there for you to enjoy the outdoors and nature. This river is routinely stocked with Rainbow Trout! Find the location for Tallulah River Campground on the Interactive Visitor Map.
About the Area - Recreation Overview
From the rolling hills of the Piedmont to the mountains of the southern Appalachian mountains, there are all kinds of outdoor activities to enjoy. Learn more about this area and an overview of outdoor recreation on the national forests.
Chattooga River Trail
TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Beginning at the intersection of Highway 76 East and the Chattooga River (ending at Sandy Ford Rd.), this 11 mile spur trail connects to the Bartram Trail. Nearly all the trail is within the boundary of the Wild & Scenic River area, so the principles of Leave No Trace are strongly encouraged. Backcountry camping is permitted 50 ft away from the river or tributaries and at minimum 1/4 mile from either Earl's Ford or Sandy Ford Roads.
Alerts & Warnings
- ALL TEMPORARY CLOSURE ALERTS
- Toccoa River - Sandy Bottoms Day Use on Recreation.gov
- No Water at Cooper Creek Campground
- Tallulah River Road Construction to Begin
- Before riding your UTV, Educate Yourself!
- The Pocket Campground Now Reservable for 2025 Season
- Houston Valley Now Scan & Pay
- Track Rock Petroglyphs
- Flatlands Road (FSR 256 and FSR 637) Closed
- Road Closures on the Chattooga River Ranger District
- Coleman River Rd (FSR #54) Closure
- CAUTION Waterfall Dangers
- CALL BEFORE YOU HAUL - ATV and OHV
- Panther Creek Trail Temporary Hiker Restrictions
- Don't Move Firewood!