Georgia · Hiking · Near Highlands

Coleman River

1.6 mi
round trip
602 ft
climb
2,341 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Coleman River open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Coleman River is an easy out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The trail rises from a starting point of about 2,083 feet to a high point of 2,341 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 602 feet for the round trip. The climb is steepest near the start, with a grade of about 15 percent at about 0.07 miles in. The route is on natural surface, and bikes are allowed. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year-round. A typical day on foot takes about an hour. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Germany Valley weather station run from highs around 72°F in May to about 74°F in September, with July highs near 80°F. That station sits about 490 feet higher than the trail's start, so temperatures on the trail run a little warmer. Tate Branch Campground is about 1.7 miles away, and the Tate Branch Trail is about 2 miles off. The Chestnut Mountain Trail and Hickory Nut Cove Trail are each about 3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Tallulah River Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    חדר אוכל

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 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 Coleman River

    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, 5.2 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

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Chestnut Mountain Trail

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Buck Creek TrailPhoto: Wncoutdoors, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Big ScaleyPhoto: Wncoutdoors, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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