Georgia · Hiking · Cohutta Wilderness

Hickory Creek

17.2 mi
round trip
2,790 ft
climb
2,331 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Hickory Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Hickory Creek is a hard hike in the Cohutta Wilderness, part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The route runs about 17 miles out and back, with a total elevation gain of 2,790 feet, and it sits within the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. The trail is a steady climb, with the high point at 2,331 feet and the steepest stretch at about 1.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 43%. Horses are allowed, and the surface is natural, but bikes are not. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Chatsworth show October highs around 74°F with lows near 48°F, and April is similar at about 72°F by day. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike takes about seven hours. Panther Creek and Tear Britches are both about 3 miles away, and Cottonwood Patch Campground is about 5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Hickory Creek

    Best months: February–May and September–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

      51° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 33°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 40°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 47°

      10 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 68°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 33°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Chatsworth 2, GA, 12.6 mi away at 710 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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