Frequently Asked Questions

No permits or fees are required in Georgia. A.T. Thru-hikers and section hikers do not need a permit until they reach the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Thru-hikers are encouraged to pre-register their hikes with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy at https://atcamp.org/  

Thru-hikers starting their northbound hikes in Georgia are encouraged to visit the GATC Basecamp at the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor Headquarters and sign in to receive an ATC backpack hangtag. The Basecamp typically opens in early February.

GATC Trail Ambassadors or ATC Ridgerunners who staff the Basecamp offer a Start Smart talk and pack shakedowns and other useful information about shuttles, hostels and re-supply options.

Tent spaces are available at all of the shelters and at three designated camping spots along the Georgia A.T. – Hawk Mountain, Justus Creek and Blood Mountain.

Dispersed camping is permitted in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, but GATC urges hikers to camp only in either designated camp areas that have tent pads, such as Hawk Mountain, Justus Creek and Blood Mountain, or to camp at locations along the trail that have previously been used by other hikers. We discourage camping along creeks or springs because of the damage that causes to plants and aquatic life.

Before starting a campfire along the A.T. corridor, please check with the Chattahoochee National Forest news and information website for any restrictions or bans on outdoor fires. Be aware of and respect no-fire zones along the trail, such as the area on Blood Mountain.

Even if a campfire is permitted, high winds that are common on the north Georgia summits and ridges can often present a serious hazard. Use only existing fire rings for your campfire. Use only small deadfall limbs and twigs and do not cut trees or try to use green limbs – they won’t burn and cutting them damages trees and undergrowth.

Never leave a fire unattended! Before leaving a campsite, completely douse your fire with plenty of water. If insufficient water is available where you are camping, please don’t start a campfire.

Newcomers to the north Georgia mountains and the Appalachian Trail are often unprepared for the frequent elevation changes. The A.T. in our state is well maintained and blazed but that does not mean it is easy to hike. Hikers will be challenged by steep climbs and descents.

Unlike areas farther north, there are no difficult water crossings in Georgia. And while a few stretches, such as the approach to Woody Gap and the descent off Blue Mountain down to Unicoi Gap, are rocky and rough, most of the A.T. footpath in Georgia is relatively smooth.

The large majority of the trail miles in Georgia wind through hardwood forests. The best views are from a few exposed rock summits, like Ramrock, Big Cedar, Blood and Cowrock. Two especially scenic spots are encountered a short distance off the A.T. on blue-blazed trails – Long Creek Falls 5.2 miles north of Springer Mountain and a grand vista near Powell Mountain 66.7 miles north of Springer. Don’t pass up these spectacular locations!

Current weather conditions on the Appalachian Trail may be found on the A.T. Weather website. Select your trail, state and location from the lists to get current National Weather Service (NOAA) information for your location.

In general, expect warm temperatures and high humidity in the summer. Average afternoon temperatures are near 80° to 85° F (25° to 29° C) and temperatures of 90° F (32° C) or higher can be expected for 15 to 25 days of the summer months. Overnight lows are usually in the range of 60° – 70° (15° – 21° C). Afternoon thunderstorms are possible; in a typical year 50 to 60 days experience thunderstorms.

Temperatures during winter months are more variable. Periods of relatively mild weather can alternate between cold days with freezing nights. Average winter high temperatures are in the 40° to 50° F (4° to 10° C), with lows averaging in the 20s (-6° to -2° C). Low temperatures of 32° F (0° C) or lower can be expected on 90 to 110 days of the late fall, winter and early spring months. Strong winds at higher elevations can result in wind chill temperatures significantly lower than in the valleys.

Spring and fall seasons are characterized by more variability from day to day and from year to year. The average dates of the first freeze in the autumn are in October. The average dates of the last freeze in the spring are in April.

Annual rainfall amounts average more than 60 inches per year, but precipitation is highly variable. Georgia can experience long stretches of dry weather in any season. Periods of persistent rain in late winter and early spring are common. Snow falls an average of five days a year, but accumulation of snow is more frequent and heavy on the summits and ridges.

On average, the driest months are September and October and the wettest month is March.

*The weather information above is compiled from the USDA Forest Service for the Georgia mountains.

Many factors determine how many days a typical hiker will require to walk the length of the Georgia A.T. section. Fitness level, pack weight, weather conditions, re-supply needs, available daylight hours and other considerations will dictate a hiker’s daily pace. A few of these variables are often unknown in advance.

New hikers very often overestimate the pace they can maintain day after day on the Appalachian Trail and start too fast. Many decades of experience advising thru-hikers northbound from Springer Mountain have led GATC to advise hikers young and old, experienced and new to the trail, to take it easy through Georgia as they build their trail fitness and stamina.

Based on our experience, here’s a sample hike plan for northbound hiking of the Georgia section of the A.T.

Day 1
Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain, 8.8 miles

Day 2
Springer to Hawk Mountain campsites or Hawk Shelter, 7.9 miles

Day 3
Hawk to Gooch Mountain Shelter, 7.7 miles

Day 4
Gooch to Woods Hole Shelter, 12.3 miles

Day 5
Woods Hole to Low Gap Shelter, 15 miles

Day 6
Low Gap to Blue Mountain Shelter, 7.3 miles

Day 7
Blue Mountain to Tray Mountain Shelter, 8.1 miles

Day 8
Tray Mountain to Plumorchard Shelter, 15.5 miles

Day 9
Plumorchard to Bly Gap, North Carolina line, 4.5 miles*

*Note: thru-hikers and section hikers planning to hike beyond Bly Gap should be aware that no food re-supply options are available until they reach Winding Stair Gap in North Carolina, a distance of more than 31 miles. Most hikers, therefore, re-supply from Dicks Creek Gap, the last major road crossing in Georgia, before heading north. A hostel is nearby and shuttles are available to take hikers to either Hiawassee or Clayton.

This is a common question that has no set answer. Too many variables determine what is easiest and hardest on the Appalachian Trail. Strictly in terms of elevation change and trail conditions, the stretch from the USFS 42 parking area a mile north of Springer Mountain to Three Forks is often described by hikers as not too difficult.

Many hikers find that the reputation of the climb up Blood Mountain is undeserved – it isn’t so bad. But climbing Kelly Knob can be unexpectedly tough.

The bottom line is that hiking the Appalachian Trail is an experience of discovery. Hike every mile of it in Georgia at a pace you are comfortable with, stop as often as you wish to enjoy the many beautiful spots along the way, and help GATC protect and preserve this wonderful natural resource by observing Leave No Trace principles.

Have a great hike and be easy on the trail!