Recreation

Mill Creek Overlook is located on Forest Road 17 in the Cohutta Mountains.

Recreation Activities - A comprehensive list of all recreation opportunities across the national forest, grouped by type of activity or by Ranger District.

Frequently Asked Questions - Got questions about the forest? Please take a look here before you pick up the phone. You'll probably find the answer to your question.

Outdoor Safety in the South - Adventure awaits you on the national forest, but the best adventures are also safe. Know Before You Go - safety is your responsibility.

Outdoor Fun in the North Georgia Mountains highlights 16 the most popular mountain recreation spots.

Wilderness - 10 of Georgia’s amazing Wilderness Areas on the national forest offer more than 100,000 acres of solitude!

Maps - Explore and locate destinations on the forest, including waterfalls and scenic drives.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Beasley Knob OHV Trails		Due to wet conditions, the Beasley Knob OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety.
Boggs Creek Recreation Area		Boggs Creek Recreation Area is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the week, but remains closed to all camping.
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center		Brasstown Bald is open, however the visitor center elevator is out of service until further notice. Facilities are open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm. As a reminder, the gate at the bottom of Highway 180 Spur up to the Bald will close if conditions are unsafe for travel.
Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range
Davenport Mountain OHV Trails		Due to wet conditions, the Davenport Mountain OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety.
Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead		Dry Creek trailhead parking lot will reopen Saturday, January 13 in time for the Snake Creek Gap timed trials.
Houston Valley OHV Trails		The trail system will reopen Saturday, April 28. Call before you haul. Houston Valley closes for several days after significant rainfall.
Lake Russell Recreation Area
Oakey Mountain OHV Trails
Roberts Bike Camp OHV Trails
Rock Creek ORV Trail		Beginning January 2017, Rock Creek trail will observe a winter closure annually from January 1 through March 31.
Rocky Flats OHV Trail		Due to a sinkhole at the gate, Rocky Flats is currently closed.
Sumac Creek Shooting Range
Tatum Lead ORV Trail
Town Creek OHV Trails
Waters Creek Day Use Area
Whissenhunt OHV Trails		Due to wet conditions, the Whissenhunt OHV Trail System is temporarily closed in the interest of resource protection and public safety. Starting March 2017 through June 2018 rehabilitation work will start on the Whissenhunt OHV Trails. During this time there will be temporary trail closures. Please call the Blue Ridge Ranger District at (706) 745-6928 to check status of trails before coming.
Windy Gap, Milma Creek, and Tibbs OHV Trails		Beginning January 2017, this trail system will observe an annual winter closure from January 1 through March 31. 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.

Spotlights

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

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.

Appalachian Trail Limits of Stay

The U.S. Forest Service has established new limits of stay regulations at all Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Appalachian Trail) shelters, as well as one campsite and two overnight sites within the southern region. Overnight stays at all of the southern region Appalachian Trail shelters, Davis Path Overnight Site, Davis Farm Overnight Site, and Wayah Bald Shelter Camp are now limited to three days within a 30-day period.

For more detailed information about this regulation, refer to:

Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway

Pin Oak in full color seen from the Brasstown Bald parking lot

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. Stretch your legs at Dukes Creek Falls , where a mile-long hiking path delivers you to a misty poolside below a cascading waterfall. Keep an eye out your window for views of Mount Yonah’s prominent cliff face in the distance. Cross the famed Appalachian Trail at Hogpen Gap. Linger atop Brasstown Bald , Georgia's tallest mountain, to absorb all 360-degrees of rolling highlands and learn more about the area at the visitor center there. Hike or bike at Smithgall Woods State Park to explore hardwoods, trout streams and watch for wildlife. A rustic haven of cottages, campsites, lodge rooms and trails, is easily accessible from the byway at Unicoi State Park . Stroll up the 0.4-mile paved path to Anna Ruby Falls , and see where two creeks converge in the rare, 150-foot twin falls. Share a meal at a cozy picnic site along the way, or break bread in Helen, a Bavarian-themed hamlet located near the byway. The 40-mile loop follows State Highways 348, 180, and 17/75. Allow at least three hours driving time.