Chattahoochee National Forest

Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia offers you a wide array of weather, climate, ecology, geology, geography, and recreational opportunities. You can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests.

It includes two national forests of the U.S. There are eastern and western forests in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Taylor Ridge (Georgia), Little Sand Mountain, and Johns Mountain are situated in the western forest. Most of the eastern forest is spread across Georgia’s Rabun County.

Where is Chattahoochee National Forest

Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forest is located in northern Georgia. While one is the Chattahoochee National Forest in the North Georgia Mountains, the other is the Oconee National Forest in eastern Georgia. Check this Georgia National Parks Map to find Chattahoochee National Forest on the Georgia Map.

Places to Visit Nearby

Wise Creek Canoe Launch
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area
Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway
Scull Shoals Historic Site
Tallulah River Campground
Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center
Track Rock Gap Petroglyph Site
Dyar Pasture Recreation Area
Appalachian Trail
Nearby Cities and Towns:
- Atlanta (Georgia)
- Birmingham (Alabama)
- Small towns in Georgia:
  - Forest Acres
  - Payton
  - Oakdale
  - Magnolia
  - Bankhead Courts
  - Johnstons Crossing
  - Tilford
  - Bolton
  - Carey Park
  - Miralia
  - Brookside Village
  - Vel Manor
  - Ellen
  - Ridgewood Heights
  - Rivermeade
  - Simsville
  - Westover Plantation

Things to Do

You can do plenty of things in Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest:

Hiking
Water Recreation
- Guided Rafting
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
Biking
Fishing
Horseback Riding
Scenic Driving
Waterfall Viewing
Historic Site Visiting

Hiking

Mount Yonah Trail

This is a 4.5 mi (7.24 km) long out and back trail near Georgia’s Cleveland. Mount Yonah Trail is considered a challenging route, which will take you almost 3 hours to complete. The climb may be challenging, but the top view takes your breath away.
Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald, the tallest mountain in Georgia, USA, gives you a great view of the surrounding forest. The steady incline may be challenging for some; this 1.1 miles (1.8) round-trip is worth it in its own way.
Helton Creek Falls Trail

It is a short, scenic trail of just 0.6 miles (0.97 km). It helps you reach and come back from Helton Creek Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest. With minimal elevation gain, you can take your kids and pet dogs on this round-trip trail.
Toccoa Swinging Bridge

Toccoa Swinging Bridge is a 270-ft-long bridge created in 1977 by the USDA Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Club. This is the longest swinging bridge, located to the east of the Mississippi River. It is a 0.8 miles (1.29 km) long trail that provides picturesque scenery all along the route.
Sosebee Cove Trail

Sosebee Cove Trail is considered the best hiking trail for nature lovers who like to view wildflowers. This 0.4 miles (0.64 km) long loop trail is easy to hike, helping you explore a forest of 175 acres in Georgia’s Blairsville.

List of Trails for day hiking and backpacking

Day Hiking Trails Only
- Blue Ridge Ranger District
  - Aska Trail System
  - Boggs Creek Recreation Area
  - Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center
  - Cooper Creek Recreation Area
  - DeSoto Falls Recreation Area
  - Deep Hole Recreation Area
  - Dockery Lake Recreation Area
  - Frank Gross Recreation Area
  - Helton Creek Falls
  - Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System
  - Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area
  - Lake Chatuge Recreation Area
  - Lake Winfield Scott Campground
  - Morganton Point Campground
  - Mulky Campground
  - Sosebee Cove Scenic Area and Trail
  - Toccoa River Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area
  - Vogel State Park & B.H. Reece Homestead trail
- Chattooga River District
  - Andrews Cove Campground
  - Angel Falls Trailhead
  - Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area
  - Broad River Trail
  - Chattooga River Trail
  - Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area
  - Frady Branch Equestrian and Bike Trail System
  - Hemlock Falls Hiking Trailhead
  - Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area
  - Lake Russell Recreation Area
  - Mount Yonah Trail Head
  - Nancytown Day Use
  - Panther Creek Recreation Area
  - Pear Tree Hill Group Camp
  - Raven Cliffs Trailhead
  - Sandy Bottoms Campground
  - Stonewall Falls & White Twister Mountain Bike Trai
  - Tallulah River Campground
  - Tate Branch Campground
  - Upper Chattahoochee River Campground
  - Warwoman Dell Recreation Area
  - West Fork Campground
  - Willis Knob Horse Camp
- Conasauga Ranger District
  - Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
  - Barnes Creek Picnic Area
  - Bear Creek Trail
  - Cohutta Overlook
  - Cohutta Wilderness Trailheads
  - Cottonwood Patch Campground
  - Dry Creek Equestrian Trailhead
  - Hickey Gap Campground
  - Iron Mountain Trail
  - John’s Mountain Overlook
  - Keown Falls Picnic Area and Trailhead
  - Lake Conasauga
    - Lake Conasauga Overflow Campground
    - Lake Conasauga Picnic and Swim Site
  - Rock Creek ORV Trail
  - Rocky Flats OHV Trail
  - Tatum Lead ORV Trail
  - The Pocket Recreation Area
    - The Pocket Recreation Area Family Picnic Area
    - The Pocket Recreation Area Group Picnic Shelter
  - Windy Gap, Milma Creek, and Tibbs OHV Trails
- Oconee Ranger District
  - Lake Sinclair Recreation Area
  - Miller Creek Lake Recreation Area
  - Ocmulgee Bluff Horse Bike and Hike Trail System
  - Oconee River Campground
  - Scull Shoals Historic Site

Facts

The Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest consists of two national parks:
- Chattahoochee National Forest is spread across 750,145 acres (1,172 sq mi or 3,035.7 sq km).
- Oconee National Forest is spread across 116,232 acres (181.6 sq mi or 470.4 sq km).
- The Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest’s combined total area is 866,468 acres (1,353.86 sq mi or 3,506.47 sq km).

It was established on July 9, 1936.
Millions of people visit Chattahoochee National Forest every year.

Best Time To Visit

Mid-April to mid-October is the busiest and best time to visit this national forest. However, you can visit Chattahoochee National Forest any time of the year.

To enjoy the view of blooming plants, visit during spring.
To escape the heat of urban areas, visit Chattahoochee National Forest during summer.
To see the mesmerizing colour of fall, visit during autumn.
To get unobstructed views of the snow-capped mountains, visit during winter.

Visiting Hours

You can visit Chattahoochee National Forest any time of the year. Different places of this national forest have variable timing such as:

Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area:
- Thursday to Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
- No admission to the area after 4 pm
- On Tuesday and Wednesday, it remains closed

Tickets

Annual Pass for Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests: US$25
Single-day use fees at popular recreation areas vary from US$3 to US$15 or more
Annual OHV Special Recreation Permit: US$50
Interagency Annual Pass: US$80

Chattahoochee National Forest Map