4x4Wire's TrailTalk Forums: Southeast Trail Info and Directions

I was thinking we should get a thread going of all the information that we collectively know about trails here in the Southeast. I'm talking about basic, factual information about trail locations, names of the locations, directions, information numbers, websites to look at for info, and any other tools or good places to get information about trails in our area. I know there are plenty of places on the web for this type of info, but I thought this would be helpful for newbies and veterans alike. It may show us some place new we didn't know about, pool resources such as the web and books, and be a quick tool so people can find the trails they are looking for or pick one for a weekend outing. I would like to see what everyone else has gathered, and I'll start by posting all the info I can. I would also like to limit it to "just the facts" about these places, which would allow someone who has never been there before to find it and to know what kind of trail it is ahead of time (if possible). Also, please don't post "I heard about Trail X, and it is near city Y, and I heard it's pretty cool." That just isn't very helpful! Give clear directions on how to get there from an identifiable location (ie from a city). Not everyone who wheels in the Southeast knows where every little rabbit trail is. And also, not every ORV trail allows 4 wheel drive trucks and vehicles.

Be aware that all of these may not be open year round. It's best to check with the ranger district first (if applicable) before heading out:

GEORGIA
-----------------------
1. I found a helpful book called Highroad Guide to the Georgia Mountains by the Georgia Conservancy (Fred Brown and Nell Jones) in the library (of all places!), and it lists hiking trails, state parks, and even a few ORV (off road vehicle) trails. It definitely is geared more toward th hiker, but I found a few 4 wheel drive vehicle trails. It has great maps for every area of interest in north Georgia, and gives great directions to them. ORV trails listed that are suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles include:

----------Rocky Flats ORV Trail:--------------
-Details: 5 miles long
-Directions: US Hwy 411 north of Chatsworth to Crandall. Trail is 3 miles east of Crandall on Mill Creek Road (FS 630) on the right.

----------Tatum Lead ORV Trail:--------------
-Details: 7 miles long; both ends of the trail are on private property
-Directions: Take GA Hwy 52 east from Chatsworth or northwest from Ellijay. The trail begins 2.5 miles south of Tatum Lead Road ad GA Hwy 52. Tatum Lead Road is 10 miles east of Chatsworth, and .95 mile past Cohutta Lodge. The above mentioned 2.5 miles of the trail is on a public right of way accessing private land. Cross this area and park on marked portion of the trail. The trail dead ends with no outlet on private property.

Both Rocky Flats and Tatum Lead are within the Cohutta Ranger District. Contact them here for more info:
Armuchee-Cohutta Ranger District
401 G I Maddox Parkway, Chatsworth, GA 30705
Phone: 706 695-6736
Fax: 706 695-1872
Office hours: Mon. - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30

2. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Off Road Vehicle Information:
This website lists info for the above mentioned trails as well as Beasley Knob ORV Trail. The website also primarily lists ATV Trails, but has good information for contacting the various ranger districts for more information on access.

3. Rich Mountain:

The Forest Service has closed this trail and will obliterate the existing trail. See here for all the pertinent information. THIS TRAIL IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED AS OF JUNE 2004!

4. Amicalola Falls State Park:
-Directions (from http://www.atlantaorv.com ): The Amicalola Falls are located just north of Dawsonville off of Highway 52 about an hour and a half from Atlanta. It can be accessed from either I575 or by taking 400N. From 400N, pass the outlet malls on your left and turn left onto 52. From there you will see signs for Amicalola Falls and can follow them all the way to the park entrance.
Once you are in the park take the long hill up toward the lodge. This is the 1st left after entering the park and just across from the ranger station. At the top of the hill and across from the parking lot for the top of the falls take a left like your going to the campground (which is where you were probably going anyway) and then take your first right just before the campground and follow the road that is in front of the cabins. This leads you into the trail.
Follow the trail (which is actually Shoals Cr. Rd) and you will come to a T junction where Nimblewill Rd. comes in from the right. For one of the trips you can take Nimblewill road out and back. It's a nice little trail. For now just continue straight ahead. You'll pass the little church and after that the trail becomes a little rougher and less traveled.
After a couple of little creek crossing (very small creeks) you'll come to what we call our 1st obstacle. A short series of uphill V ditches. Theses aren't bad. There is a bypass for the very first one on the left. From here you simply follow the trail as it skirts around the mountainside. Keep a lookout on you left as you round the corners and eventually you'll see what looks like a trail leading straight up the side of the mountain. This is insane-o-hill. Not many try this especially if it's wet. Continue onward and you come to a parking area with three trails leading off. This is where insane-o-hill comes back down.

PLEASE NOTE AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2003: Anderson Creek OHV is being closed temporarily for repairs. Please read the following: Forest Service Notice

This is my warning: Please do not attempt to bypass any blockades or use this trail while it is closed. Doing so will jeopardize the ability for it to be reopened.

[From the parking area there are three trails. The one on the left is the main continuation of the Anderson Creek ride. The trail that goes about the 2 o'clock position leads to another set of harder V ditches and comes out at Old Bucktown Rd. The one on the left leads out to a gravel road bypassing the hard V ditches. Take the rd to the left to continue to Anderson Creek. After a while you hit another parking area where often people camp. There are 3 trails leading from here. The one on the left leads to an old ORV area. You want to take the trail on the right at the end of the parking area. You'll know you picked the right one because it's the only one that descends on a rocky path. This will take you down along Anderson creek and out the V ditches to Hwy 52. You do a couple of stream crossings and a few other wet parts. When you get to the V ditches you will be traveling between some farmland. Along here there are numerous No Trespassing signs. These are for the land off the trail, not the trail itself.]

5. Rabun Bald 4WD Trail: (thanks to MarkG)

-Directions: From Atlanta, take I-85, to 985, to 441. At Dillard GA, turn right onto GA 246. Go about 7 miles. On the left will be "Don's". Don's is a small BP station and store. Take the next right onto "Hale Ridge Road". After 3 miles, "Hale Ridge Road" forks off to the right. Stay to the right. You are now on "Bald Mountain Road". Watch for the "Eastern Continental Divide" sign. After the sign, take the third left onto "Kelsey Mountain Road". You are on the 4wd trail when the pavement ends.

There is a parking area about 1 mile from the top of Rabun Bald. There is a nice stone tower at the top of Rabun Bald. FYI - Rabun Bald is Georgia's second highest mountain.

-----------------------------------------------

TENNESSEE: (thanks to Wareagle)
-----------------------
1. Tellico: http://www.tellico4x4.com/murphy/map1.htm

2. Summertown ORV: http://www.wheelininthecountry.com/

3. LBL / Turkey Bay ORV: http://www2.lbl.org/lbl/LBLTurkeyBay00.pdf

4. Royal Blue ORV: http://www.discoweb.org/royalblue/

5. Windrock: http://www.windrockatv.com/

6. Big South Fork NRA

7. Monteagle - mostly private
---------------------------------------------

ARKANSAS:
-----------------------
1. Hot Springs ORV Park: (thanks to ducktrooper)
There is a dedicated 4Wheel Drive park consisting of 2,000 acres of trails in Hot Springs, AR. www.orvpark.com.
---------------------------------------------

SOUTH CAROLINA: (thanks to EClayton08)
-----------------------
1. Hush Hole

--------------------
Jeremy
SOLD:1988 Toyota 4x4 | 22RE | W56 | EB 270 cam

Edited by Brown (06/21/04 09:42 AM)