Georgia · Hiking

Jacks River

15.5 mi
round trip
2,417 ft
climb
2,575 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Jacks River open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Jacks River is a hard hike of about 31 miles in the Cohutta Wilderness, part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia. It is a long out-and-back, with the start near the top of the route at about 2,570 feet and a high point of about 2,575 feet, and the climb totals about 2,417 feet of gain and loss over the whole trip. The route lies within the Cohutta Wilderness and the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area, which is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. It also passes through the Conasauga Ranger District. The nearest town is Blairsville, about 33 miles away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show October highs around 70°F with lows near 43°F, while April runs about 69°F by day and 41°F at night. That station sits a few hundred feet below the route, so temperatures on the trail run a bit cooler. The estimated time for the hike is about 11.5 hours. The closest neighbors are Hemptop, less than a mile away, and Sugar Cove, about 1.5 miles off. Rough Ridge and Panther Creek are each within about 3.3 miles. For an overnight base, Jacks River Fields Campground is about 4 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Jacks River

    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, 33.3 mi away at 1,949 ft. The station sits about 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

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