Iron Mountain
- 15.4 mi
- round trip
- 2,844 ft
- climb
- 1,513 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Feb, Apr–May
- best months
Is Iron Mountain open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Iron Mountain, so check the source for the area it covers.
Campsite limitations
Agency closure covering Cherokee National Forest · Order 08-04-00-22-180 · USFS · Cherokee National Forest
Emergency road closures due to storm damage
Agency alert covering Cherokee National Forest · USFS · Cherokee National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Iron Mountain is a hard hike in the Ocoee Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest in Georgia, within the South Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area. The route is an out-and-back of about 15.4 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,844 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 18 percent. The high point is 1,513 feet, and the trail starts at 962 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and both horses and bikes are allowed. The land is managed jointly. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Tennessee show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April highs around 72°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the mountain run cooler. The hike takes about 6.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. Cottonwood Patch Campground is about 1.6 miles away. Horseshoe Bend and Murrays Lake are both within about 3 miles, and the Blue Ridge Divide Trail is about 4.3 miles off.
Best time to go · Feb, Apr–May
Best time to visit Iron Mountain
Best months: February, April–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.
Jan
50° / 29°
13 wet
Feb
55° / 33°
12 wet
Mar
63° / 39°
13 wet
Apr
72° / 47°
12 wet
May
79° / 56°
12 wet
Jun
86° / 64°
12 wet
Jul
89° / 68°
12 wet
Aug
88° / 67°
10 wet
Sep
83° / 60°
9 wet
Oct
73° / 48°
9 wet
Nov
61° / 37°
10 wet
Dec
53° / 32°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN, 17.5 mi away at 842 ft. The station sits about 700 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.
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