Georgia · Hiking

Black Branch Trail

4.0 mi
loop
352 ft
climb
1,802 ft
high point
Loop
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Black Branch Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Black Branch Trail, 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.

Black Branch Trail is a 4-mile loop in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The trail climbs to about 1,800 feet from a starting point near 1,685 feet, and the elevation gain of 352 feet is spread across the route with the steepest stretch at about 1.6 miles in. The trail is rated moderate, and the Forest Service manages the land. Bikes and horses are both allowed on this natural-surfaced route. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. For comfortable conditions, aim for fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cleveland, GA, run to highs around 71°F and lows around 45°F in October, with fewer wet days than in summer. Two other hikes, Parallel Trail and Fdr-23A-Nimblewill Branch, sit about a mile away. Paddlers can reach the Etowah River roughly 2.6 miles off, and the Frank Gross campground is about 8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Black Branch Trail

    Best months: March–May and August–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

      50° / 27°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 30°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 35°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 42°

      11 wet

    5. May

      77° / 51°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 60°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 64°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 63°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 57°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 45°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 35°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 29°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cleveland, GA, 18.8 mi away at 1,567 ft. 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

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