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	Temporarily Closed	Andrew's Cove CG is closed for the winter season and will reopen on March 15, 2025. 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	Open	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	Closed	Ball Field camping area is closed for winter and will reopen March 4.
Barnes Creek Picnic Area	Open	Barnes Creek is a day-use picnic area only. No camping!
Bartram Trail	Open	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	Closed	Closed due to trail conditions.
Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia	Open
Blue Ridge Ranger District	Open
Boggs Creek Recreation Area	Open
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center	Open	Amenities including the gift shop, visitor center, modern restrooms and shuttle are closed for the winter season. The parking lot remains accessible and you make hike to the summit. Please be aware there is no potable water on site and plan accordingly. The GA DOT operates the Hwy 180 Spur, which may be closed in inclement weather conditions. 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	Open
Byron Herbert Reece Trail	Open
Chattooga River District	Open
Chattooga River Trail	Open	There a many down trees along the Chattooga River Trail. Use with caution as we work to try and clear the trail and repairs to damaged sections from Hurricane Helene.
Chestatee Overlook	Open
Chestnut Mountain Shooting Range	Temporarily Closed	The range is temporarily closed for public safety during fire suppression activities. 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	Winter road closures are in effect. No access to Tearbritches, Chestnut Lead, Betty Gap or Three Forks trailheads until March 4. 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	Closed	Closed for winter.
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	Open	Open year-round
Helton Creek Falls	Open
Hickey Gap Campground	Open
Hitchiti Trail	Open
Houston Valley OHV Trails	Closed	The trail system is closed for the winter. 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	Closed	The overflow campground is closed for winter. Roads will reopen March 4. 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	Temporarily Closed
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 Serve. 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	7 miles of trails reopened Saturday 11/23/2024 for ATV's and Motorcycles only. Do not enter closed trails at Trestle Loop or Moon Walk. Closed for Winter Maintenance and will reopen March 15, 2025
Low Gap Campground	Temporarily Closed	Low Gap Campground is closed for the winter season and will reopen on March 15, 2025. 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	Closed
Morganton Point Campground	Open	*Open*
Mount Yonah Trail Head	Open
Mountaintown Overlook	Open
Mulky Campground	Open
Nancytown Day Use	Open	Open from Sunrise to Sunset
Oakey Mountain OHV Trails	Temporarily Closed	Closed from December 31-March 15th for Winter Maintenance
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	Open	Open year-round
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	Closed	Rock Creek trail system is closed for the winter.
Rocky Flats Seasonal Road	Closed	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	Open	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	Open	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	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	Open	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 closed for the winter 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	Closed	Closed for winter. 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	Closed	The trail system is closed for winter. 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.

There a many down trees along the Chattooga River Trail. Use with caution as we work to try and clear the trail and repairs to damaged sections from Hurricane Helene.

Recreation

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