When is hunting season in Georgia? Firearm Deer Season in North Georgia is Oct. 19 - Jan. 1
Take Precautions To Ensure Your Safety:
• Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Blaze orange apparel should be visible from both front and back. A lightweight blaze orange pack cover is available through the ATC’s Trail Store. A blaze orange hat is also recommended.
• Be especially cautious within 1/2 mile of road crossings (both approaching and leaving) and in valley areas.
Hunting has been a traditional use of the land along many sections of the Appalachian Trail, both on public and private lands. It is a use that continues to pose concern for the safety of hikers on the Trail.
The Trail passes through many different state and federal jurisdictions, most of which allow hunting. More than 1,000 miles of the Trail cross National Forest lands that are open to hunting. Additionally, approximately 150 miles of the A.T. are located on state gameland units that are specifically administered for game species and hunting. Hunting also is permitted on more than 100 miles of state lands administered by state forests. Additionally, on many privately owned lands adjoining the Trail, hunting is a well-established use. For more information on hunting seasons in Georiga, visit the GA DNR website at: georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us
Will I encounter bears on the AT in Georgia? Within the past 5 years, there have been an increased number of sitings of bears along the GA section of the A.T. and more evidence of bears such as tracks, scat, and claw marks. So far there have been no reports of bear/human confrontations, although there is at least one report of a bear taking a hiker's food. The GATC and the U.S. Forest Service recommend that hikers store food carefully, minimizing odors and hanging it from trees at night, in order to avoid teaching bears that backpackers and food are associated.
How can I find car shuttles, supplies, and parking? Shuttles
For more info on shuttles see the Directions page or contact the GATC Info & Education Director for a General Information Packet which contains detailed info and shuttle contacts.
Facilities
Amicalola Falls State Park has showers and laundry included with campsite fee, or a walk-in primitive campsite with privy for late arrivals. There is also a lodge and restaurant. Coke machines and phone are near park office at bottom of falls and at the top of the falls near the Hike Inn parking lot. Park office closes at 5:00 p.m. Additional information about the park can be obtained from (include a stamped self-addressed envelope) Amicalola Falls State Park, 418 Amiacalola Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 (706) 265-4703 or (706) 265-8888. The park's web site is http://gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/
Hike Inn The Len Foote Hike Inn is located 5 miles by trail north of Amicalola Falls State Park and 4.5 miles by trail south of Springer Mountain. Guests hike in the five miles from Amicalola Falls State Park. At the inn one can enjoy a hot shower and hearty, family style dinner and breakfast (the inn does not serve lunch although trail lunches are available for guests), educational programs and environmental demonstrations, or just sit in an Adironack chair and enjoy solitude and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rooms are minimal accommodations. Each room has two extra-long, twin size bunk beds. Rooms are cooled with mountain breezes and have a fan. For winter, warm blankets are supplemented by a heat panel in each room. Room rates which include dinner, breakfast and taxes. There are discounted rates for children and some seasonal discounts. Contact the Hike Inn for current rates or check the Inn's website at http://www.hike-inn.com/. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-581-8032. The Inn is owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and managed by Appalachian Education and Recreation Services, Inc., which is affiliated with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Hikers can walk from the Hike Inn to rejoin the Approach Trail a short ways south of Nimblewill Gap and continue on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.
Room rates include dinner and breakfast.
Parking
Parking is available at the major paved road crossings: Woody Gap (GA Hwy 60), Neels Gap (US Hwy 129/19), Tesnatee Gap (GA Hwy 348), Hogpen Gap (GA Hwy 348), Unicoi Gap (GA Hwy 75/17) and Dicks Creek Gap (US Hwy 76). Limited parking is available where the A.T. crosses Forest Service roads. For extended backpacks, cars may be registered and parked at Amicalola Falls State Park. Contact the Park at the address below for more details. Note: The USFS now charges a $2.00 parking fee at various trail heads.
Supplies
At Woody Gap (paved GA Hwy 60)
Left 2 miles is Suches, Georgia, a general store and Post Office are located here. The general store is closed Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Suches is a small community with a part-time medical clinic and volunteer fire department with emergency medical technicians. Jim and Ruth Ann Miner (11663 Miner-Scales Drive, Suches, Georgia 30572, 706/747-5434) are friends of long distance hikers.
Right 15 miles on GA 60 is Dahlonega, Georgia, with grocery stores, post office, hospital, hardware, motels, and restaurants. This area was the site of the first gold rush in the United States.
At Lake Winfield Scott State Park (paved GA Hwy 180)
Winfield Scott Country Store is accessible from A.T. at Henry Gap. At 4.1 miles north of Woody Gap, bear left on old trail, go about 20 yards to top of ridge, follow old road down and out one mile to GA Hwy 180, turn right for 0.5 mile to store.
From Jarrard Gap on A.T., go left about one mile down old road to Lake Winfield Scott, through campground area to main entrance. Turn left on GA Hwy 180 and go 0.4 mile to store.
At Neels Gap (US 19/129)
The Mountain Crossings/Walasi-Yi Center Located at Neels Gap, 9710 Gainesville Hwy., Blairsville, Georgia 30512, Phone (706) 745-6095), Winton Porter proprietor. Winton and his staff try to give lots of support to the long-distance hikers who come through every spring. The center is open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, seven days a week and offers good services for hikers: complete outdoor outfitters store including hiking equipment and clothes, trail guides, Coleman fuel by the pint, first aid, and limited gear repair. They also offer freeze-dried foods, limited groceries. The hiker hostel is available for thru-hikers from February 22 through October 31 on a first come first serve basis for $18. Showers are included. A pay phone and coin laundry are also available. Dogs must stay outside. A mail drop service is available, but packages will only be held for one week. Calling to inform them of an incoming package would be appreciated. More information can be obtain at their website: www.mountaincrossings.com
Left 2.0 miles is Vogel State Park with cabins, campsite, limited supplies, laundry, telephone, hot showers and friendly folks.
Left 3.5 miles from Neels Gap is Goose Creek Cabins and campground. Single rooms cost $25, rooms with kitchen cost $35 and up, and a free shuttle back to Neels Gap is available. Contact Keith and Retter Bailey, 7061 Goose Creek, Blairsville, Georgia 30512, 706/745-5111.
At Unicoi Gap (GA Hwy 75)
Helen, Georgia is 10 miles to the right with alpine tourist theme, post office, stores, fast food, small hiking shop, expensive hotels, laundry, restaurants (Mountain Valley Kitchen is good), bed and breakfast at Hilltop Haus, Helen, Georgia 30545, 706/878-2388 (no pets).
At Dicks Creek Gap (GA Hwy 76)
Clayton, Georgia is 18 miles to right with stores, motels, laundry, restaurants, theater, fast food, post office.
Hiawassee, Georgia is 11 miles to left with post office, Mull's Motel, Waffle Shack, Georgia Mountain Restaurant, good grocery store, laundry. Everything is centralized for easy walking. If you need a shuttle back to any part of the A.T. in Georgia, call Gene Hamilton, 706/896-2077, or ask Mull's Motel manager.
THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED AS A CONVENIENCE FOR HIKERS. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB.
What is ethical behavior on the trail? Trail Ethics The Appalachian Trail was built and is maintained by volunteers. As a hiker, please take the responsibility of helping to keep the trail in good shape. Don't shortcut the trail switchbacks which are an essential part of erosion control. The most difficult work in train maintenance is trying to correct erosion damage. Keep the A.T. clean. Don't discard gum wrappers, soft drink cans or cigarette butts. Carry out all trash. There are trash barrels at most road crossings. Please avoid camping in heavy-use or impacted areas such as near shelters or next to streams. Try to camp out of sight of the trail when possible. If you must build a campfire, use only "down" wood, and build it only in an established fire ring. Be sure the fire is out before leaving camp. Don't try to dispose of trash by burning it; this just causes others to have to carry out your melted and half-burned trash for you. Carry a small stove for cooking to minimize the impact on the environment. Try to camp in such a way that after you have gone, another hiker will find no trace of your having been there. Respect the flora and fauna; don't pick wildflowers, especially unusual ones. Several varieties are close to extinction. Don't kill snakes or other animals, each has a place in preserving the natural ecosystem. Keep water sources clean. Don't wash dishes or yourself in streams, especially if you are using soap. Carry the water at least 100 feet from its source to do your cleaning. Nearly half of the shelters on the Georgia A.T. have privies, with more being planned. Where no privy is available, use a small shovel or the heel of your boot to dig a "cat hole" and be sure to cover it when you are finished. Do this at least 75 yards from water sources and camping areas. Don't leave toilet paper on the ground.
