Georgia · Hiking

Sumac Creek Trail

13.0 mi
round trip
3,327 ft
climb
1,696 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Sumac Creek Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Sumac Creek Trail is a 13-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 State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. The trail is rated hard, with a total climb of about 3,300 feet. The route rises steadily from a low point of 946 feet to a high of 1,696 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 4 miles in, where the grade reaches 26 percent. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. For comfortable weather, aim for spring or fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Chatsworth show October highs around 74°F with lows near 48°F, and April is similar at about 72°F by day and 47°F at night. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Sumac Creek Spur and Murrays Lake both lie about 1.2 miles away, and Hickory Creek is about 3 miles off. Cottonwood Patch Campground, about 4.4 miles away, is the closest place to camp.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Sumac Creek Trail

    Best months: February–May and September–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

      51° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 33°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 40°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 47°

      10 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 68°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      84° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      74° / 48°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 38°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 33°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Chatsworth 2, GA, 12.5 mi away at 710 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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

    • Sumac Creek Shooting Range Temporarily Closed for Road Maintenance

      Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests · Order dated October 26, 2026; seen Oct 26, 2026 → lifted Oct 27, 2026 · Forest Service

    • 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