The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests temporarily is shutting down trailhead facilities and other access points to trails in Northeast Georgia. Forest officials say they’re closing the trails to “prevent groups from congregating and to protect public health and safety.”
The decision aligns with state and local measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the agency says.
Northeast Georgia has seen an influx of tourists in recent days as the weather improves and the COVID-19 pandemic forces further isolation from school, work, and social gatherings.
This video submitted to Now Habersham by Kim Galbreath shows a long line of cars parked along Historic US-441 near the Panther Creek Falls trailhead earlier this week.
“We realize our communities and our visitors value the recreation opportunities the forest has to offer,” says Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Supervisor Edward Hunter. “A lot of discussion and consideration went into this decision. The health and safety of our employees and the public remain our top priority.”
The move affects all trail shelters along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail as well as these Northeast Georgia sites:
- Dick’s Creek Gap
- Hogpen Gap
- Neels Gap
- Tesnatee Gap
- Unicoi Gap
- Woody Gap
- Springer Mountain
- Andrews Cove Trail
- Benton MacKaye Trail (Springer Mountain to Falls Branch Falls section)
- Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Trail
- Dockery Lake Trail
- Dukes Creek Falls Trails
- Duncan Ridge Trail
- Freeman Trail
- Jacks Knob Trail
- Jarrard Gap Trail
- Logan Turnpike
- Long Creek Falls Trail
- Panther Creek Falls Trail
- Slaughter Creek Trail
- Springer Mountain Trail
- Raven Cliff Falls Trail
- Yonah Mountain Trail
While the forest remains open to the public in other areas, rangers remind people to “recreate responsibly.” Avoid groups of more than ten people and don’t engage in high-risk activities such as rock climbing that increase the chance of injury or distress.
Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19.
Friday’s announcement is the latest move by the Forest Service to limit outdoor gatherings in response to COVID-19. On March 21, USFS closed its campgrounds and recreational facilities in the area. On March 26 it announced hard closures of several popular tourist sites.
For the latest updates, visit the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ website www.fs.fed.us/conf and follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @ChattOconeeNF.
For CDC healthy and safety guidelines, visit the CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.
