Georgia · Hiking

High Shoals

High ShoalsPhoto: gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.4 mi
round trip
850 ft
climb
2,877 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is High Shoals open right now?

Closure in the area

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

High Shoals is a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike in northern Georgia, on the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and within the Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area. The trail is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources and rated easy. The route gains about 550 feet one way to a high point of 2,877 feet, and the steepest section comes early, at about 0.17 miles, where the grade reaches 22%. The whole trip has a total elevation change of about 850 feet, so expect to spend roughly an hour on foot. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Germany Valley run to highs around 72°F in May and 74°F in September, with lows in the 50s. Nearby, Rocky Mountain and Sassafrass Cove Trail are both within about 3 miles. A.T. Low Gap Shelter offers camping about 6.6 miles away, and Raven Cliff Falls, a climbing area, sits roughly 8.7 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit High Shoals

    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, 16.2 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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Andrews CovePhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Andrews Cove

~5 min drive

3.72-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 1,342 ft elevation gain

Anna Ruby FallsPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Anna Ruby Falls

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0.88-mile out-and-back trail to Anna Ruby Falls in Georgia

Smith Creek TrailPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Smith Creek Trail

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8.86-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 1,143 ft gain.

Lake TrailPhoto: gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake Trail

~11 min drive

2.12-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia with 1,399 ft elevation gain.

Laurel Ridge TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Laurel Ridge Trail

~16 min drive

1.82-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 644 ft elevation gain

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Jacks Knob

~7 min drive

4.43-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,159 ft gain

Raven CliffsPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Raven Cliffs

~15 min drive

4.92-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 883 ft elevation gain.

DUKES CREEKS FALLSPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

DUKES CREEKS FALLS

~16 min drive

1.24-mile loop hike at Dukes Creeks Falls in Georgia with 770 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Deep Gap Trail

~9 min drive

8.68-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,597 ft gain and 3,648 ft max elevation.

Dukes Creek FallsPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dukes Creek Falls

~16 min drive

1.52-mile out-and-back trail to Dukes Creek Falls in Georgia