Georgia · Hiking

Ocmulgee River Upper Loop

20.9 mi
round trip
1,590 ft
climb
549 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Oct–Dec
best months

Is Ocmulgee River Upper Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Ocmulgee River Upper Loop, 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.

Ocmulgee River Upper Loop is a hard, 20.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Oconee Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia. The trail climbs from a low of about 377 feet to a high of about 549 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 3.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 10%. The route's natural surface carries hikers, bicyclists and horses, so the loop works for riders and equestrians as well as backpackers. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail stays open year-round. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Monticello weather station run to highs around 77°F in April and 78°F in October, while July highs average about 92°F. The River Trail and White Creek Trail both sit about 0.1 mile away, and Canyon Tr and Boomerang Trail are close by as well.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Dec

    Best time to visit Ocmulgee River Upper Loop

    Best months: February–May and October–December. 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

      57° / 29°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      61° / 32°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      69° / 38°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      77° / 45°

      6 wet

    5. May

      84° / 55°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      89° / 64°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      92° / 68°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 67°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 60°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      78° / 48°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      68° / 37°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      60° / 32°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Monticello, GA, 13.4 mi away at 518 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