Georgia · Hiking · Near Highlands

Chattooga River Trail

19.4 mi
round trip
3,503 ft
climb
1,717 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Chattooga River Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Chattooga River 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.

The Chattooga River Trail is a 19.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from a low point of 1,202 feet to a high of 1,717 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,503 feet over the round trip. That makes it a hard hike, and the one-way climb of 1,675 feet is a significant chunk of the total. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Long Creek, SC weather station show October highs around 70°F with lows near 47°F, and April is similar at about 70°F by day and 46°F at night. Summer runs hotter, with July highs near 85°F. The trail is open year-round, and the trip is estimated to take about 8 hours. Bikes are allowed, and the surface is natural. Sutton Hole is about a mile away, and Thrifts Ferry Portage is about 1.3 miles off. Warwoman Creek, a fishing spot, is roughly 4.6 miles away, and Whetstone Horse Camp is about 5.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Whetstone Horse Camp

    Campground

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

    Humble Pie

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • 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 Chattooga River Trail

    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

      50° / 30°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 32°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 38°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      76° / 54°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 62°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 64°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 47°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Long Creek, SC, 4.4 mi away at 1,625 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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