Georgia · Hiking · Blood Mountain Wilderness

Dockery Lake

Dockery LakePhoto: qvfp, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.0 mi
round trip
2,336 ft
climb
3,047 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Dockery Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Dockery Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

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

Dockery Lake is a 5-mile out-and-back hike in the Blood Mountain Wilderness, part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia. The trail crosses into the Blue Ridge Ranger District and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and it also passes through the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. The route rises from about 2,015 feet to 3,047 feet, with a total gain of 2,336 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.5 miles, where the grade reaches 19 percent. The trail is natural-surface and rated moderate, and it is not open to bikes or horses. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville run to highs around 76°F in May and 80°F in September, with October highs near 70°F. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The hike takes about 3 hours. Dockery Lake Rec. Area, about 2 miles away, offers camping. Preacher's Rock Boulders and the Burnett Creek Connector are both about a mile off, and the Toccoa River is about 6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Dockery Lake

    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

      49° / 25°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 28°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 34°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      76° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 58°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 62°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 61°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 29°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blairsville Exp Stn, GA, 10.7 mi away at 1,949 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. 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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