Georgia · Hiking · Cohutta Wilderness

Penitentiary Branch

6.8 mi
round trip
3,362 ft
climb
3,063 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Penitentiary Branch open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Penitentiary Branch is a hard hike in the Cohutta Wilderness, part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The route is an out-and-back that climbs from about 1,700 feet to a high point of 3,063 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,362 feet over the course of the trip. The trail lies within the Conasauga Ranger District and the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area, and the land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is natural-surface and allows horses, but bikes are not permitted. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 20 percent. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville run from highs around 76°F in May to about 80°F in September, with October highs near 70°F. That station sits roughly 1,100 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike takes about four hours. Hemptop and Sugar Cove are both within a couple of miles, and the Jacks River offers fishing about 2 miles away. For an overnight base, Jacks River Fields Campground is about 6 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Penitentiary Branch

    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, 33.6 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