Georgia · Hiking

Jarrard Gap

Jarrard GapPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
1.8 mi
round trip
566 ft
climb
3,086 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Jarrard Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Jarrard Gap is an easy hike of about 1.8 miles on an out-and-back route in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The trail rises from a low of about 2,879 feet to a high of about 3,086 feet, with a total gain of roughly 566 feet, and it stays within the forest's natural surface trail network. The route is simple and short, rated easy, and it works well as a quick outing. The climb is gentle, and the round trip ends where it begins, so there's no need to plan for a long day. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail does not allow bikes or horses. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville show October highs around 70°F and April highs near 69°F, while July highs reach about 85°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher part of the route run cooler. Slaughter Creek Trail and Slaughter Creek are both under a mile away. Climbers can reach Blood Mountain about 2 miles off, and Dockery Lake Rec. Area offers camping about 3.7 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 Jarrard Gap

    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, 8.9 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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Slaughter Creek TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Slaughter Creek Trail

~1 min drive

0.7-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 397 ft gain and 3,086 ft max elevation.

Dockery LakePhoto: qvfp, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Dockery Lake

~3 min drive

5-mile out-and-back trail to Dockery Lake in Georgia.

Coosa BackcountryPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coosa Backcountry

~3 min drive

A 6-mile out-and-back backcountry hike through Georgia's Coosa region.

HIKE

Coosa Backcountry

~6 min drive

10.10-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 3,712 ft elevation gain.

Lake Winfield ScottPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Lake Winfield Scott

~1 min drive

0.30-mile loop trail at Lake Winfield Scott in Georgia with 564 ft elevation gain.

FreemanPhoto: Pete Seabolt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Freeman

~4 min drive

3.58-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 1,157 ft gain

HIKE

Yellow Mountain

~8 min drive

6.30-mile out-and-back trail on Yellow Mountain in Georgia

Woods Hole ShelterPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Woods Hole Shelter

~2 min drive

0.40-mile out-and-back trail at Woods Hole Shelter in Georgia

Byron Herbert ReecePhoto: Pete Seabolt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Byron Herbert Reece

~4 min drive

1.40-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 111 ft gain and 488 ft loss.

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

Desoto Falls

~6 min drive

1.90-mile out-and-back trail to Desoto Falls in Georgia with 409 ft elevation gain.