Georgia · Hiking

South Fork

5.5 mi
round trip
1,183 ft
climb
2,728 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 5 h ago

Is South Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

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

South Fork is a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia, within the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area. The trail rises from about 2,460 feet to about 2,728 feet, a climb of 279 feet, and is rated moderate. The route is on natural surface, and both horses and bikes are allowed. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jasper run from highs around 68°F in April to about 69°F in October, and the station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Jacks River Fields Campground is about half a mile away. Mountaintown Creek is about 1.3 miles off, and the Jacks River and Conasauga River hikes are each within about 4 miles.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit South Fork

    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, 27.5 mi away at 1,465 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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