Tennessee · Hiking · Cohutta Wilderness

Jacks River

14.8 mi
round trip
2,782 ft
climb
1,556 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb, Apr–May
best months

Is Jacks River open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Jacks River is a 14.8-mile out-and-back hike in Tennessee's Cohutta Wilderness, which falls within the Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The route also crosses the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area, and the State Department of Natural Resources manages the land. The climb is a hard one. The trail starts at about 1,056 feet and reaches a high point of 1,556 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,782 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes around mile 3.5, where the grade hits about 29%. That puts the trail in the range of a full-day outing. For comfortable weather, aim for spring or fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Cleveland show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, and April is similar at 72°F and 47°F. That station sits about 700 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. Cottonwood Patch Campground is just 0.7 miles away, and the Horseshoe Bend and Iron Mountain hikes are within about 2 miles. On the Tennessee side, the Big Frog Area fishing spot is about 3.9 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Feb, Apr–May

    Best time to visit Jacks River

    Best months: February, April–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

      50° / 29°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 33°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      63° / 39°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 47°

      12 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 64°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 68°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 67°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 60°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN, 18.6 mi away at 842 ft. The station sits about 700 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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