Georgia · Hiking

Rocky Ford Trail

1.8 mi
round trip
1,908 ft
climb
2,701 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Rocky Ford Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.5 miles on Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area in north Georgia. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail rises from a low of about 1,587 feet to a high of about 2,701 feet. The total elevation gain is about 1,908 feet for the round trip, with the steepest section, a 31% grade, beginning just beyond the trail's start. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jasper, about 8 miles away, run to highs near 68°F in April and 69°F in October. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The hike takes about 2 hours, and the Tobacco Pouch Road trail starts just 0.1 mile away. Fall Creek Trail and Wildcat Creek Trail are within about a mile, and paddlers can reach Amicalola Creek roughly 2.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Rocky Ford Trail

    Best months: March–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

      48° / 31°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 34°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 40°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 47°

      9 wet

    5. May

      75° / 55°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 67°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 66°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 61°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 50°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 40°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      51° / 35°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jasper 1 Nnw, GA, 7.8 mi away at 1,465 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors