Georgia · Hiking · Near Highlands

3 Forks

3 ForksPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
2.0 mi
round trip
1,954 ft
climb
2,982 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is 3 Forks open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name 3 Forks, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

3 Forks is an easy hike of about 2 miles in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, and the trail also passes through the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. The route is an out-and-back that gains about 390 feet in elevation over roughly 4 miles, with the low point at about 2,725 feet and the high at about 2,982 feet. The trail surface is natural. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Germany Valley weather station run to highs around 72°F in May and 74°F in September, with July the warmest month at about 80°F. Holcomb Creek Trail lies about a mile away, and Rabun Bald is about a mile off. WestFork Campground and Blue Valley Dispersed Camping are both within about 4 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Sarah'S Creek Campground

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 13 on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    On your way back · 7 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Sunset Rock

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Cliff in Macon County, North Carolina, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Highlands

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit 3 Forks

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 26°

    2. Feb

      50° / 28°

    3. Mar

      57° / 35°

    4. Apr

      66° / 43°

    5. May

      72° / 51°

    6. Jun

      77° / 59°

    7. Jul

      80° / 62°

    8. Aug

      79° / 61°

    9. Sep

      74° / 55°

    10. Oct

      66° / 44°

    11. Nov

      57° / 35°

    12. Dec

      49° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Germany Valley, GA, 11.2 mi away at 2,832 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Spring 2026 Forest-wide Fire Restrictions

      Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests · Order dated April 23, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Oct 13, 2026 · Forest Service

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Rabun BaldPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rabun Bald

~2 min drive

2.95-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,343 ft elevation loss.

3 ForksPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

3 Forks

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2.15-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 276 ft elevation gain.

Hurrah RidgePhoto: Jordan Mitchell, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hurrah Ridge

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DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAILPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAIL

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Bartram

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West ForkPhoto: Carl Black, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

West Fork

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Scaly MountainPhoto: Carl Black, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Scaly Mountain

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DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAIL LOOP

~7 min drive

13.44-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 5,675 ft elevation gain/loss.

Glen FallsPhoto: Jordan Mitchell, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Glen Falls

~8 min drive

An easy 1.42-mile out-and-back hike in Tennessee with rocky terrain, perfect for beginners.