2:55 PM
— 3:30 PM
At 255 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a thunderstorm with
frequent lightning 14 miles northeast of Clayton, or 6 miles south of
Highlands, moving south at 10 mph.
Locations to be impacted include...
Oconee State Park, Pine Mountain, and Mountain Rest.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Timber operations are in progress on FSR 252/Ruff Creek Road that will cause intermittent closures. Please drive cautiously and be prepared to stop.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Forest Service Road 816/ Tooni Gap Rd, will be closed to all vehicle traffic starting Monday, September 21st for road maintenance. Tooni Gap Rd will re-open no later than Friday, September 25th. This closure will not affect hiking on the Benton MacKaye Trail from GA State Route 60 to the Toccoa…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Forest Service Road 76 (Piney Ridge) will remain closed temporarily due to a timber sale occurring on the road. An update will be provided for when the road will open.Forest Service Road 76 is seasonally closed from Jan. 14 through Aug. 29.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Oconee Ranger District will conduct a prescribed fire at Redlands Dove Fields today. Please use caution along Highway 15 in Greene County, Ga.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Phase one road construction on Peavine Sheeds Creek Road/FS 221, on the Cherokee National Forest north of the Jacks River bridge into Tennessee will be closed heading west from July 20 – Sept 14. Phase two construction beginning September 15-January 4 will close Peavine Sheeds Creek Road/FS…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Emery Creek Trailhead – Intermittent Closures Beginning August 5The Emery Creek Trailhead will experience intermittent closures from August 5 through the end of December while crews work to expand and improve the parking area. Visitors should be prepared for temporary access restrictions during…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Rough Ridge Trail (#12) in the Cohutta Wilderness (Conasauga Ranger District) is temporarily closed for public safety. Hurricane Helene’s high winds and heavy rainfall have compounded ongoing changes to the Wilderness resulting from the 2016 drought and wildfires. These combined impacts have…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Road paving crews will be working through November to pave the section of roadway that runs directly alongside Holly Creek. This project will help reduce ongoing erosion and protect water quality in one of the state’s most important aquatic habitats.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Oconee Ranger District has temporarily closed the Swords Recreation Area parking lot to allow repainting of parking space lines.Visitors are asked to avoid closed areas until July 3, 2026.For more information, contact the Oconee Ranger District.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Recent heavy rains have saturated the ground and raised water levels in rivers and streams. Flash flooding can occur with little or no warning, especially in low-lying areas, stream channels, and valleys. Conditions may remain hazardous even after rainfall ends.Avoid riverbanks and streambeds. Stay…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Visitors to the Chattooga River Ranger District should be aware of several campground updates as the Forest Service completes facility improvements and transitions aging infrastructure. Low Gap Campground has reopened, following replacement of the restroom facilities.Drinking water is unavailable…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Camping or maintaining a campsite on National Forest System lands within any area of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest exceeding an aggregate of 14 days in any 30-day period is prohibited. Once a combination of any 14 days has been reached, individuals must remove their property and leave…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has reopened Duncan Ridge Road (FSR 39) following completion of culvert replacement work at Mulky Creek on the Blue Ridge Ranger District. The project replaced an aging culvert at the creek crossing to improve long-term road reliability, protect water…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Blue Ridge Ranger District will temporarily close Forest Service Road 816 / Tooni Gap Road to the swinging bridge over the Toccoa River on Monday morning, May 18th, to allow district staff to implement the next phase of the parking lot project.Experienced crews from the Forest Service and…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Campfire restrictions on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest have been lifted effective May 4, 2026. Recent weather conditions have improved enough to reduce wildfire risk across the Forest. Visitors may resume campfires in designated areas and should always use established fire rings where…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The purpose and need of this Fire Restriction Closure Order is to prohibit activities relating to building, maintaining, or attending a fire (including charcoal fires) within unauthorized areas on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests comprising the Blue Ridge Ranger District, Chattooga River…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Recent winter weather events affected portions of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. While crews have made significant progress clearing hazards and restoring access, visitors may still encounter downed trees, debris, or minor damage on some forest roads, trails, and recreation…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest has begun prescribed fire operations, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through May as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
UPDATED: April 16, 2026Due to land slides, the following National Forest System roads are temporarily closed for public safety and will remain closed until further notice. At this time, there is no estimated reopening date. We understand these closures may disrupt travel plans and access to the…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Wildfire activity has picked up across north and central Georgia over the past couple of weeks, and conditions remain dry. As you enjoy your time on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, a few small choices can make a big difference in preventing human-caused fires. • Keep campfires small,…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Please visit this page for Forest Supervisor's Orders about official Recreation Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines for Forest Visitors. Rules for Visitors to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia All visitors and users of the National Forests are subject to Federal Regulations. The…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Forest Service Road 55, Grassy Gap - Horseshoe Ridge Road, located on the Blue Ridge Ranger District, is closed temporarily to protect the resource and for public safety.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Camping season is bear-aware season. It's crucial to store food and scented items properly and know what to do if you encounter a bear. Bears are curious, hungry, and have a keen sense of smell, so they are attracted to food, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo. To reduce the odds of having a bear…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
The Oconee Ranger District is now offering forest visitors the option of paying for their day-use recreation site fees with the free, easy-to-use Recreation.gov mobile app and choosing the “scan and pay” option.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Motorized trails close when conditions are wet to prevent trail damage and erosion into streams. Check the status of your favorite trail or Call Before You Haul.1. Keep It Safe - Wear proper safety gear. - Maintain a safe speed. - Stay alert.2. Keep It Legal - Know where…
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Contact(s): Chatsworth 706-695-6736 Blairsville 706-745-6928 Lakemont 706-754-6221 Eatonton 706-485-7110Before riding your UTV, Educate Yourself! Obtain a map (motor vehicle use map) of your destination and determine which areas are open to UTVs. Respected Access is Open Access! By practicing…