Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Andrews Cove Campground		Andrews Cove is currently opened for the 2021 season
Angel Falls Trailhead
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area		Limited hours of operation, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., no admission after 4 p.m. to allow time to access the falls. The site will be open from Thursday - Monday (closed Tuesday - Wednesday). There is a set capacity for the parking lot of 90 vehicles. Once that amount has been reached, cars will be turned around at the gate until the number in the parking lot decreases. No access allowed during the closed day/hours.
Appalachian Trail in Georgia		The Appalachian Trail is open, however trail shelters and privies are temporarily shut down.Find more A.T. status updates at: https://wildeast.appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/health/covid19/a-t-closures/
Aska Trail System
Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
Barnes Creek Picnic Area		Barnes Creek is a day-use picnic area only. No camping!
Bartram Trail
Bear Creek Trail		Bear Creek campground is a walk-in camping area only. No pop-ups or RVs are accomodated.
Beasley Knob OHV Trails		Temporarily closed to protect the resource during rain event.
Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia
Blue Ridge Ranger District		We are currently operating virtually. Please call 706-970-9776.
Boggs Creek Recreation Area
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center		Brasstown Bald will open to the public: Thursday, April 1st and will be open 10am to 5pm, 5 days a week. Thursday through Monday. Shuttle Service will resume on Thursday, April 8th. Shuttle Service will ONLY be available Thursdays through Sundays until further notice. Brasstown Bald’s shuttle service provides easy access to the top of the mountain. The shuttle operates from 10 AM - 4:45 PM, with the final shuttle ticket sold around 4:30 PM. This time is subject to change depending on the size of the shuttle line towards the end of the day. There are several new procedures in place due to COVID-19. Face masks are required on the shuttle and inside buildings, and the shuttle will only operate at 75% capacity. Also, there will be routine breaks throughout the day to allow for the shuttle to be cleaned effectively. Guests may encounter longer wait times to access the shuttle service due to a high number of visitors and a limit on the number of passengers who can ride in the shuttle at one time. We appreciate the patience of visitors as the modified shuttle service policies and procedures are being implemented.
Broad River Trail
Byron Herbert Reece Trail
Chattooga River District
Chattooga River Trail
Chestatee Overlook
Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range
Cohutta Overlook
Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads		After recent storms, there are numerous down trees on the following trails: East Cowpen, Rice Camp, Hickory Ridge, Horseshoe Bend and Hickory Creek trail (northern section). These trails will not be safe for horse travel.
Conasauga Ranger District		We are currently operating virtually. Please call 706-695-6736.
Cooper Creek Recreation Area		Due to potential flooding the lower loop in Cooper Creek Campground is closed until further notice.
Cottonwood Patch Campground
Davenport Mountain OHV Trails		Temporarily closed to protect the resource during rain event.
DeSoto Falls Recreation Area		The health and safety of employees and nearby communities are always a priority at the Forest Service. In response to guidance from state health officials and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please recreate responsibly and practice safety recommendations. For the most current and accurate information, contact local health officials or visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
Deep Hole Recreation Area
Dockery Lake Recreation Area
Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead		The parking lot is day use only: NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING in the parking lot.
Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area
Duncan Ridge Trail
Dyar Pasture Recreation Area		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Frady Branch Equestrian and Bike Trail System
Frank Gross Recreation Area
Helton Creek Falls
Hickey Gap Campground
Houston Valley OHV Trails		Call before you haul! Houston Valley closes for several days after significant rainfall.
Iron Mountain Trail
Jacks River Fields Campground
Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System
John's Mountain Overlook
Keown Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead
Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area
Lake Conasauga		Lake Conasauga camping loop and picnic area are closed for the winter.
Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground		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		Lake Conasauga picnic area and camping loop are closed for the winter.
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
Lake Rabun Campground		The Pear Tree Group campsite located in Lake Rabun Campground will remain closed until July 23rd to stay in line following the CDC Guidelines
Lake Russell Recreation Area
Lake Sinclair Recreation Area		This site is closed until further notice to safeguard the health of employees and the public. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Lake Winfield Scott Campground
Lakewood Landing Boat Launch
Locust Stake OHV Trail System		Area closed to all OHV activity
Low Gap Campground		Low Gap Campground is currently open for the 2021 camping season
Mill Creek Overlook
Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area		Please follow social distancing recommendations to safeguard the health of employees and the public. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Morganton Point Campground
Mount Yonah Trail Head
Mountaintown Overlook
Mulky Campground		The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily closing Mulky Gap Road (FS Road 4) on the Blue Ridge Ranger District to allow road maintenance work between Mulky Gap and Duncan Ridge Road. Work is scheduled to begin Dec. 7, 2020, and be complete on Dec. 23. The road will be open to public use on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week during the construction period. More information.
Nancytown		No camping at Nancytown
Nancytown Day Use Area
Oakey Mountain OHV Trails		Open and ready to ride
Ocmulgee Bluff Horse Bike and Hike Trail System		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Oconee Ranger District		Operating Virtually / Office is open to calls, 706-485-7110, Cell- 706-819-8597,
Oconee River Campground		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Panther Creek Recreation Area		Picnic area remains open the Panther Creek Trail is temporarily closed. 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.
Peeples Lake
Pinhoti Trail in Georgia
Raven Cliffs Trailhead
Redlands Recreation Area		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Roberts Bike Camp OHV Trails		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Rock Creek ORV Trail
Rocky Flats OHV Trail		Rocky Flats is more suitable for 4WD trucks and jeeps since there is no parking lot to off-load ATVs and 4-wheelers.
Sandy Bottoms Campground		We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Sarah's Creek Campground
Scull Shoals Historic Site		Please practice social distancing. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Sosebee Cove Scenic Area and Trail
Springer Mountain Trailhead
Sumac Creek Shooting Range
Swords Recreation Area		Please practice social distancing. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Tallulah River Campground		Tallhlah River Campground is opened. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA regarding COVID-19, and we are closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Tate Branch Campground		Campground is open for the 2021 camping season
Tatum Lead ORV Trail		Tatum Lead trail is suitable for 4WD trucks and jeep since there is no parking lot to off-load ATVs and 4-wheelers.
The Pocket Recreation Area
The Pocket Recreation Area Family Picnic Area
The Pocket Recreation Area Group Picnic Shelter
Toccoa River Canoe Trail
Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area
Town Creek OHV Trails		Please do not ride when wet. Riding when raining or wet damages the trails! Please Practice Social Distancing. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground
Waters Creek Day Use Area
West Fork Campground
Whissenhunt OHV Trails		Temporarily closed to protect the resource during rain event.
Wildcat Creek Campground #1 Lower		Wildcat Creek road is open with vehicle size restrictions due to landslide. Wildcat Road provides access to popular recreational activities such as fishing and swimming in Wildcat Creek, camping, and access to the Appalachian Trail. Campers pack out, leave no trace.
Wildcat Creek Campground #2 Upper		West Wildcat Creek road is open with vehicle size restrictions due to landslide. West Wildcat Road provides access to popular recreational activities such as fishing and swimming in Wildcat Creek, camping, and access to the Appalachian Trail. Camping pack out, leave no trace..
Willis Knob Horse Campground
Windy Gap, Milma Creek, and Tibbs OHV Trails		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		Please follow social distancing guidelines. We are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from USDA and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions.
Woody Gap Trailhead

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

Sight seeing on the Anna Ruby Falls Trail along Smith Creek

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

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.

Track Rock Gap Petroglyph Site

Photo 2 of the Track Rock Site after the 2010 Renovation

Visit this special site where the people of long ago carved their stories into the boulders of Track Rock.

Appalachian Trail in Georgia

The AT plaque can be seen on the rock outcrop below a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains

***Find more A.T. status updates at: https://wildeast.appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/health/covid19/a-t-closures/ ***

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 and passes through five federally designated wilderness areas.