Georgia · Hiking

Stanley Gap

Stanley GapPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
9.7 mi
round trip
4,837 ft
climb
3,407 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Stanley Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Stanley Gap is a hard, out-and-back hike of about 9.7 miles in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in northern Georgia. The trail starts at roughly 2,640 feet and climbs to a high point of about 3,407 feet, with a total elevation gain and loss of about 4,837 feet over the round trip. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to bikes. Horses are not allowed. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 69°F in April to 70°F in October, and the station sits about 1,458 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler than these figures. The estimated trip takes about 5.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. The Benton Mackaye Trail and Stanley Creek lie within about half a mile, and Sandy Bottoms - Toccoa River Campground and Lake Blue Ridge are each within about 5 miles.

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

    Best time to visit Stanley Gap

    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, 21.5 mi away at 1,949 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Benton Mackaye TrailPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Benton Mackaye Trail

Next door

A 279.77-mile point-to-point backpacking trail through remote Georgia mountain wilderness.

Flat Creek LoopPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Flat Creek Loop

~3 min drive

10.14-mile loop in Georgia with 1,593 ft gain and 1,745 ft loss.

Morganton Point Lake TrailPhoto: schwglr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Morganton Point Lake Trail

~12 min drive

0.42-mile out-and-back hike at Morganton Point Lake Trail in Georgia

Appalachian TrailPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Appalachian Trail

~23 min drive

120-mile point-to-point section of the iconic Appalachian Trail through Georgia mountains.

Lower Green Mountain (ConnectoPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Green Mountain (Connecto

~5 min drive

2.04-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 321 ft gain.

Toccoa Canoe TrailPhoto: Lahti213, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Toccoa Canoe Trail

~7 min drive

26.86-mile out-and-back canoe trail in Georgia with 1,071 ft elevation gain

Stanley CreekPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Stanley Creek

Next door

1.60-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 283 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Duncan Ridge Trail

~18 min drive

12.70-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia with 7,882 ft gain

Anderson CreekPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Anderson Creek

~22 min drive

6.58-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,085 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Whissenhunt Loop

~4 min drive

7.06-mile out-and-back in Georgia with 2,845 ft gain/loss

Route details

Distance
9.7 mi round trip
Climbing
About 4,837 ft
Summit
3,443 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3.5 hours

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Stanley Gap on Rocky Mountain?

About 9.7 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Stanley Gap?

About 4,837 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Stanley Gap?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Stanley Gap take?

About 3.5 hours round trip.

When is the best time for the Stanley Gap?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Rocky Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.