U.S. Forest Service managers are welcoming visitors to recreation sites on the Chattooga River Ranger District that were closed for the winter season.
The District spans 261,035 acres in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the northeastern-most part of Georgia.
“We are ready for visitors to get outdoors and enjoy their national forest,” says District Recreation Manager Barb Ramey.
Seasonal campgrounds are now open for public use. Locations include Andrews Cove Campground, Low Gap Campground, Sandy Bottoms Campground, Tate Branch Campground, Upper Chattahoochee River Campground.
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails are available in the District, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Bartram Trail. Other trails designated for bicycling, equestrian, and motorized use are also open.
As people enjoy the great outdoors, Forest Service personnel hope they will “We want these public lands to be enjoyed for future generations, so it is up to all of us to care of these natural resources.”
Over the past year, District staff worked to replace, repair, and maintain the infrastructure necessary for safe public access to recreation activities on the national forest. Forestry workers reopened the tornado-damaged Upper Chattahoochee River Campground, rehabilitated miles of trails, and replaced an observation deck at the popular Duke’s Creek Falls in White County.
Engineering staff also improved more than 231 miles of roads on the District by blading road surfaces, upgrading water drainage features, and mowing roadside vegetation. Critical upgrades to infrastructure include the replacement of 6 culverts and 3 bridges, ensuring public access to portions of the national forest, officials say.
For more information on recreation site upgrades, openings, and activities, visit the U.S. Forest Service online.
