Georgia · Hiking

Sugar Cove

2.1 mi
round trip
2,316 ft
climb
3,580 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Sugar Cove open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Sugar Cove is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Cohutta Wilderness, part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The route starts at about 2,059 feet and climbs to a high point of 3,580 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,316 feet over the course of the 4.2-mile round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.9 miles in, where the grade reaches 30 percent. The trail lies within the Cohutta Wilderness and the Conasauga Ranger District, and it also passes through the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 70°F, though that station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The Jacks River, a fishing spot, is just 0.2 miles away, and the Rough Ridge and Hemptop hikes are within about 2 miles. For an overnight stay, Jacks River Fields Campground is about 5 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Sugar Cove

    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, 34.7 mi away at 1,949 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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

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