Georgia · Hiking

Smith Creek Trail

Smith Creek TrailPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
8.9 mi
round trip
2,683 ft
climb
2,680 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Smith Creek Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Smith Creek Trail is an 8.9-mile out-and-back hike in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The trail rises from a starting point of about 2,339 feet to a high point of 2,680 feet, and the total elevation gain over the round trip is about 2,683 feet. The route is rated hard, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.6 miles, where the grade reaches about 21%. The trail is on natural surface and is not open to horses or bikes. It is managed by the Forest Service and is open year-round, with an estimated time of about 4.5 hours for the full trip. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically April and October, when typical highs reach about 70°F and lows are in the mid-40s, based on averages from the nearby Helen weather station. That station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Anna Ruby Falls lies just 0.1 mile away, and Andrews Cove is about 1.7 miles off. Raven Cliff Falls, a climbing area, is about 5.7 miles away, and the Nottely River, a canoeing route, is about 9.5 miles away.

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 Smith Creek Trail

    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° / 29°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 31°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 36°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 43°

      9 wet

    5. May

      77° / 52°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 61°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 64°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 46°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 36°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      51° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Helen, GA, 4.4 mi away at 1,493 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.

    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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Andrews CovePhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Andrews Cove

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Mount YonahPhoto: twslivxe26, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Lake TrailPhoto: gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lake Trail

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Waterfall Access TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Waterfall Access Trail

~11 min drive

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Deep Gap Trail

~14 min drive

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Raven CliffsPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Raven Cliffs

~10 min drive

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DUKES CREEKS FALLSPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

DUKES CREEKS FALLS

~11 min drive

1.24-mile loop hike at Dukes Creeks Falls in Georgia with 770 ft of elevation gain.

HIKE

Wagon Train Trail

~16 min drive

4.46-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia with 1,598 ft elevation gain.

Dukes Creek FallsPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dukes Creek Falls

~11 min drive

1.52-mile out-and-back trail to Dukes Creek Falls in Georgia