Recreation

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- Rules for Visitors - ensure your health and safety, protect the forest, & keep recreation an enjoyable experience for everyone
- Visit Us! Visitor information for all national forests.
Interactive Forest Visitor Map
Use the Interactive Forest Visitor Map to locate roads, campgrounds, trails and other recreation sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. 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
- Temporarily closed roads - Please note roads may be closed at any time
- Printed and other maps for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
- About the Forest Service Visitor Map
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Recreation Conditions Report
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Andrews Cove Campground | Open | Andrews Cove is open for the season. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am daily, no generators allowed to operate during quiet hours. |
Angel Falls Trailhead | Open | |
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area | Open | 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 | Open | The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is open and trail shelter in Georgia are available. Hikers are advised to bring a personal tent and face coverings. Shelters might not be frequently maintained at all locations. Dispersed camping is also available. Not all privies are open or maintained. Guidance is available on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) website for trip planning, hiking safety and COVID-19 precautions. |
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 | Open | |
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 | Temporarily Closed | Due to wet conditions, the Beasley Knob OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety. |
Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia | Open | |
Blue Ridge Ranger District | Open | We are currently operating virtually. Please call 706-970-9776. |
Boggs Creek Recreation Area | Open | |
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center | Open | |
Broad River Trail | Open | |
Byron Herbert Reece Trail | Open | |
Chattooga River District | Open | |
Chattooga River Trail | Open | |
Chestatee Overlook | Open | |
Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range | Open | |
Cohutta Overlook | Open | |
Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads | Open | The winter gates are now open. |
Conasauga Ranger District | Temporarily Closed | We are currently operating virtually. Please call 706-695-6736. |
Cooper Creek Recreation Area | Open | Reservations are required to camp in this campground. Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). The website (www.Recreation.gov) offers convenient round the clock access to the Online Reservation Service or visitors may call NRRS at 1-877-444-6777 (toll free) between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You may reserve camp sites the same day as you arrive and as far as six (6) months in advance. Reservations are not available at the facility. |
Cottonwood Patch Campground | Open | |
Davenport Mountain OHV Trails | Temporarily Closed | Due to wet conditions, the Davenport Mountain OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety. |
DeSoto Falls Recreation Area | Open | |
Deep Hole Recreation Area | Open | |
Dockery Lake Recreation Area | Open | |
Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead | Open | The parking lot is day use only: NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING in the parking lot. |
Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area | Open | Open |
Duncan Ridge Trail | Open | |
Dyar Pasture Recreation Area | Open | Open sunrise to sunset |
Frady Branch Equestrian and Bike Trail System | Open | Open year-round |
Frank Gross Recreation Area | Open | Reservations are required to camp in this campground. Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). The website (www.Recreation.gov) offers convenient round the clock access to the Online Reservation Service or visitors may call NRRS at 1-877-444-6777 (toll free) between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You may reserve camp sites the same day as you arrive and as far as six (6) months in advance. Reservations are not available at the facility. |
Helton Creek Falls | Temporarily Closed | Helton Creek Falls and Trail are CLOSED until further notice for trail repairs. |
Hickey Gap Campground | Open | |
Houston Valley OHV Trails | Temporarily Closed | The trail system is temporarily closed to allow the trails to dry. Call before you haul! Houston Valley closes for several days after significant rainfall. |
Iron Mountain Trail | Open | |
Jacks River Fields Campground | Open | |
Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System | Open | Black Branch Trail Loop is temporarily closed to provide for public safety during active logging operations along the 28B and 28F roads. Upon completion of the timber harvest, the trail will be reopened. Please contact the Blue Ridge Ranger District with any questions. (706) 745-6928. |
John's Mountain Overlook | Open | |
Keown Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead | Open | |
Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area | Open | |
Lake Conasauga | Open | |
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 | Open | |
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area | Open | |
Lake Rabun Campground | Closed | 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 | Open | |
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 | Closed | Area closed to all OHV activity |
Low Gap Campground | Open | Low Gap Campground is currently open for the season. |
Mill Creek Overlook | Open | |
Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area | Open | |
Morganton Point Campground | Open | |
Mount Yonah Trail Head | Open | |
Mountaintown Overlook | Open | |
Mulky Campground | Open | Reservations are required to camp in this campground. Reservations for Mulky Campground are made under the Cooper Creek Campground the Mulky Loop, sites 1-11. Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS). The website (www.Recreation.gov) offers convenient round the clock access to the Online Reservation Service or visitors may call NRRS at 1-877-444-6777 (toll free) between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You may reserve camp sites the same day as you arrive and as far as six (6) months in advance. Reservations are not available at the facility. |
Nancytown Day Use | Open | Open for business |
Oakey Mountain OHV Trails | Open | Open for the 2022 season. |
Ocmulgee Bluff Horse Bike and Hike Trail System | Open | Open Sunrise to Sunset - Day use area only |
Oconee Ranger District | Open | Operating Virtually / Office is open to calls, 706-485-7110, Cell- 706-819-8597, |
Oconee River Campground | Open | |
Panther Creek Recreation Area | Open | Picnic area remains open the Panther Creek Trail opened to intermediate and advanced hikers only due to the damage received on the trail by Hurricane Zeta. 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 to other users. |
Peeples Lake | Open | |
Pinhoti Trail in Georgia | Open | Forest Service personnel will be conducting a controlled burn in the Keown Falls and John's Mountain area of the Pinhoti Trail. Please avoid this portion of the trail throughout the day. |
Raven Cliffs Trailhead | Open | Open |
Redlands Recreation Area | Open | |
Roberts Bike Camp OHV Trails | Open | Closed when wet or raining. No riding when wet, raining, snowing, etc. |
Rock Creek ORV Trail | Open | |
Rocky Flats OHV Trail | Temporarily Closed | The road is temporarily closed due to a culvert failure causing the road to be impassible. 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 | Open | Open for the 2022 camping season |
Sarah's Creek Campground | Open | Quiet hours are from 10pm-6am daily. During quiet hours generators, music, or other disturbing noises are not allowed. |
Scull Shoals Historic Site | Open | Open during daylight hours only. |
Sosebee Cove Scenic Area and Trail | Open | |
Springer Mountain Trailhead | Open | |
Sumac Creek Shooting Range | Open | |
Swords Recreation Area | Open | Open Sunrise to Sunset hours only |
Tallulah River Campground | Open | Tallhlah River Campground is opened. |
Tate Branch Campground | Open | Campground is open for the season |
Tatum Lead ORV Trail | Open | 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 | Open | |
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 | |
Town Creek OHV Trails | Open | Please do not ride when wet. Riding when raining or wet damages the trails!
Closed during gun deer season. Primitive Hunts - Rifle deer season |
Upper Chattahoochee River Campground | Open | Campground is open for the 2022 camping season. |
Waters Creek Day Use Area | Open | |
West Fork Campground | Open | |
Whissenhunt OHV Trails | Temporarily Closed | Due to wet conditions, the Whissenhunt OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety. |
Wildcat Creek Campground #1 Lower | Temporarily Closed | Wildcat 1 campground is closed due to road damage, cannot safely meet COVID cleaning standards due to no road access to site. |
Wildcat Creek Campground #2 Upper | Temporarily Closed | Wildcat 2 campground is closed due to road damage, cannot safely meet COVID cleaning standards due to no road access to site. |
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

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.
Track Rock Gap Petroglyph Site

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

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.
Alerts & Warnings