Georgia · Hiking

Rhododendron Lake

1.2 mi
round trip
1,023 ft
climb
1,501 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Rhododendron Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Rhododendron Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 2.4 miles in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The trail rises from a low point of 1,035 feet to a high of 1,501 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 1,023 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.68 miles in, where the grade reaches 20 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically October and May, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cornelia run around 70°F for highs and 49°F for lows in October, and 76°F and 55°F in May. July is the warmest month, with highs near 86°F. The hike takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Lake Russell Campground sits less than a mile away, and the Rhododendron Trail starts about 0.3 miles off. The Sourwood and Nancytown Lake Loop hikes are both within about a mile and a half.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

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

    Best time to visit Rhododendron Lake

    Best months: March–June 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° / 30°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 33°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 39°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 47°

      10 wet

    5. May

      76° / 55°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 66°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 49°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 39°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 34°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cornelia, GA, 1.6 mi away at 1,470 ft. 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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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors