Select trails and recreation areas in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests are back open for public use.
The U.S. Forest Service Thursday reopened more than a dozen local sites that were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. USFS officials say reopening these recreation sites is consistent with CDC guidance and state and local government orders.
“Recreating on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is an activity individuals and families look forward to experiencing every summer,” says Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ acting forest supervisor Edward Hunter. “We are working with local communities on phased plans to reopen additional sites and facilities as soon as this can be accomplished safely.”
The following sites reopened on May 7:
- FSR 34 Dicks/Waters Creek Camping Corridor
- FSR 42 Dispersed Camping Corridor
- FSR 58 / Noontootla Rd. Dispersed Camping
- FSR 28-2 Nimblewill Rd. Dispersed Camping
- FSR 69 / Rock Creek Rd. Dispersed Camping
- Padena Rd. Dispersed Camping Area
- Fruitkoff Dispersed Camping Area
- Dispersed Camping at Bull Mtn.
- Dispersed Camping at Jake Mtn.
- Lake Chatuge Boat Ramp
- Aska Trails
- Benton MacKaye Trail (from Weaver Creek to Hwy 60)
- Duncan Ridge Trail (from Benton MacKaye Trail intersection to Wolfpen Gap)
- Coosa Backcountry Trail (from Vogel State Park to Duncan Ridge Trail)
- Helton Creek Falls Trail
- Hemlock Falls Trail and Trailhead, Parking Area
- Minnehaha Falls Trail and Trailhead
- Angel Falls Trail
- Keown Falls Trail and Trailhead
Hunter reminds individuals to avoid congregating at trailheads and parking areas and refrain from gathering in groups of ten or more. For the latest health and safety guidelines visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) online.
For maps and an updated list of affected recreation sites visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation.
