Upper Chattahoochee River Campground
Closed
— Closed for the winter season. Reopens March 15, 2025 and operates through October 31, 2025. Reservations available online at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. No first-come, first-served camping. Maximum stay is 14 days within any 30-day period.
About
The drive through the winding misty roads of North Georgia leading to Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is nearly as breathtaking as the destination itself. This 19-site developed campground sits near the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, offering visitors a remote mountain experience while remaining accessible to civilization. The campground is reached via a scenic 5-mile drive along Upper Chattahoochee River Road, a gravel forest road that winds through the mountains.
At the rear of the campground, a short walking trail leads to Horse Trough Falls, just a mile downstream from the river's headwaters. The campground also features a day-use picnic area with the creek running nearby. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting in the surrounding Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area and Mark Trail Wilderness. The campground serves as a gateway to numerous attractions including the Appalachian Trail at nearby Unicoi Gap, Brasstown Bald (Georgia's highest peak), Anna Ruby Falls, and Dukes Creek Falls.
Despite its secluded mountain setting, the campground is less than 30 minutes from Helen, Georgia, allowing campers to enjoy both wilderness solitude and access to shopping, dining, entertainment, rafting, kayaking, and ziplining. The campground operates on a reservation-only basis with no first-come, first-served sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and grill, though campers should note that no potable water or restrooms are available on-site.
Directions
From Helen, travel north on Highway 75 for approximately 8 miles. Just beyond mile marker 15, turn left onto Upper Chattahoochee River Road (Forest Service Road 44, a gravel road). Follow for 5 miles to the campground entrance. Physical address: 48 Forest Service Road 44, Helen, GA.
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