Georgia · Hiking

Lance Creek Trail

5.3 mi
round trip
1,172 ft
climb
2,438 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Lance Creek Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Lance Creek Trail is a 5.3-mile out-and-back hike on natural-surface trail in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in northern Georgia. It is a moderate route with a total elevation gain of 1,172 feet, climbing from about 1,868 feet to 2,438 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. Horses and bikes are both allowed on the trail. The steepest part of the route comes at about 2.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 13%. Because it is an out-and-back, the climb up is matched by the descent back. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the Blairsville weather station, about 21 miles away, show May highs near 76°F and October highs around 70°F, while July highs run about 85°F. The trail is open year-round, and the trip is estimated to take about 2.5 hours. Several other routes start close by, including Whoop-De-Dos at about 0.1 mile and the Bare Hare Trail at about 0.2 mile. Cochran Falls, a climbing area, is about 3.9 miles away, and the Etowah River, a paddling destination, is about 4.9 miles away.

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

    Best time to visit Lance Creek Trail

    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, 21.1 mi away at 1,949 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

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