Georgia · Rock climbing · Lakemont · Near Highlands

Upper Deck

10 routes
5.7 – 5.11a
Trad · Sport
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Upper Deck open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Upper Deck is a climbing area in Tallulah Gorge State Park, within the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. The area sits among several climbing spots, with the Turtle and Sport Wall climbing areas each about 0.1 mile away. The routes here run from trad climbing at 5.7 up to a sport route at 5.11a, with most in the 5.8 to 5.9 range. The hardest route is Hungover, a sport climb at 5.11a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Long Creek, South Carolina, show October highs around 70°F with lows near 47°F, and April is similar at about 70°F by day and 46°F at night. Summer runs hotter, with July highs around 85°F. For more time on foot, the Stone Place Trail is about half a mile away and the High Bluff Trail about a mile. Rabun Beach Recreation Area, roughly 6 miles off, offers camping.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Backcountry Campsite #1

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Ugly Mug Tavern

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Sunset Rock

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Cliff in Macon County, North Carolina, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Highlands
  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Upper Deck

    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

      50° / 30°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 32°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 38°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      10 wet

    5. May

      76° / 54°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 62°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 64°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 58°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 47°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 38°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Long Creek, SC, 7.2 mi away at 1,625 ft. 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

Routes (10)

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Tallulah GorgePhoto: Chanilim714, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tallulah Gorge

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Main WallPhoto: Chanilim714, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Main FacePhoto: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Mount YonahPhoto: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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White WallPhoto: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Hogpen GapPhoto: Thomsonmg2000, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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