Good Campsites in GA?

[eightiesguy]

A couple of friends and myself are planning a trip through GA on the AT for the first week of June. According to my research there are campsites at the following mile marks: 2.5 Stover Creek Shelter 4.1 Three Forks (USFS 58) 5.8 Logging Road 13.6 Justus Creek 16.3 Gooch Gap 25.5 Jarrad Gap 26.9 Bird Gap 27.2 Slaughter Creek 27.3 Camp Sites 31.6 Bull Gap 34.7 Baggs Creek Camp 47.4 Campsite (West side of AT) 47.8 Rocky Knob (Flat Area) 50.5 Unicoi Gap (GA 75) 51.8 Rocky Mountain 54.1 Cheese Factory Site 57.7 Steeltrap Gap 61.3 Addis Gap 64 Campsites 64.2 McClure Gap 67.7 Campsite 73.2 Wheeler Knob Campsite 75.4 Bly Gap Am I missing an obvious campsites? Are there any really good (but little known) sites we should keep an eye out for? I know i've left the shelters off of the list, and most (if not all) either have tent pads or allow camping, but I'm trying to compile a list of sites so that we don't have to rely on shelters every night of the trip. Thanks Phil

[Footslogger]

There are a lot of campsites in GA but the key is water availabilty ...unless you're planning on carrying it all with you. I would decide roughly how many miles/day you want to hike and then consult either the ALDHA Companion or the Thru Hikers Handbook to determine where the reliable water sources are located. Water is the priority. Campsites are plentiful.

'Slogger

[Dances with Mice]

A couple of friends and myself are planning a trip through GA on the AT for the first week of June. According to my research there are campsites at the following mile marks: 2.5 Stover Creek Shelter 4.1 Three Forks (USFS 58) 5.8 Logging Road 13.6 Justus Creek 16.3 Gooch Gap 25.5 Jarrad Gap 26.9 Bird Gap 27.2 Slaughter Creek 27.3 Camp Sites 31.6 Bull Gap 34.7 Baggs Creek Camp 47.4 Campsite (West side of AT) 47.8 Rocky Knob (Flat Area) 50.5 Unicoi Gap (GA 75) 51.8 Rocky Mountain 54.1 Cheese Factory Site 57.7 Steeltrap Gap 61.3 Addis Gap 64 Campsites 64.2 McClure Gap 67.7 Campsite 73.2 Wheeler Knob Campsite 75.4 Bly Gap Am I missing an obvious campsites? Are there any really good (but little known) sites we should keep an eye out for? I know i've left the shelters off of the list, and most (if not all) either have tent pads or allow camping, but I'm trying to compile a list of sites so that we don't have to rely on shelters every night of the trip. Thanks PhilFor backpacking tent campsites, there are absolutely hundreds in Georgia. You're never more than 20 minutes away from a perfectly useable primitive campsite. You will practice LNT, right?

Here are some of the best, I've camped at least once at each: Long Creek Falls at about 7 miles, Hickory Flats Cemetery about 8 with huge shelter, indoor privy and a 2-person hiker-powered merry-go-round to play on (100 yards west on first gravel road crossing after the Falls, don't miss it even if you don't camp there!), Justus Creek. Gooch Mtn shelter area has prepared tentsites. Gooch Gap. The Woody Gap quarry area (walk between the picnic tables on the north parking area, continue 100 yards back to the quarry). Many more, and that's just the first 20 miles.

The Blood Mtn camping area immediately south of Blood, at the base of the mountain, deserves special mention, it's a lovely area with each tentsite situated with a view of a large, quiet cove and a great watersource nearby. Admire the beautiful handlaid mortorless rockwork along that section of the Trail while you're there.

[Hikerhead]

Yeah, what Footslogger said. Most of the ridge tops are flat as are the gaps. Just carry enough water.

[orangebug]

There are other campsites available now that will disappear by June. Leveltop Mtn, north of Neel's Gap has many campsites that are swallowed by wild flowers pretty quickly.

Long Creek Falls is great, but camping there isn't exactly LNT given how close you stay to the water.

[Dances with Mice]

Long Creek Falls is great, but camping there isn't exactly LNT given how close you stay to the water. Nor at 3 Forks. But I meant in the area, not directly at the base of the Falls. There are clearings at the blue blaze / AT intersection.

[Hikerhead]

Hickory Flats cemetary is a great place to camp. About 1/2 mile up from Long Creek Falls and take the gravel road to the left. When I hiked this with Kerozene we stayed there. It has a privy, picnic shelter, whirly gig. About 10 or 15 maintainers were there and had a great fire going. Pittsburg was there, Ladybug was there. I can't ever forget Crosscut and his stories. He was staying there in a trailer. I even played a little whiffle ball and almost got sick on that whirlygig thing. This was a great place to camp.

I just now saw that Dances with Mice had already commented on this place.

[greentick]

There are several areas in the first quarter mile on the ridge of Wildcat Mtn with awesome views at sunset and in the AM just north of Testanee (sp?) Gap. They are on the blue blaze trail to the Whitley Gap Shelter (1.2mi off trail). Bring water if staying on the ridge. The shelter has a great water source (at least in January).

[Gray Blazer]

Swag of the Blue Ridge? What is a swag, anyway?

[Dances with Mice]

Swag of the Blue Ridge? What is a swag, anyway?Nothing to write home about, really, it's just a long gap in the Blue Ridge. http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.8361&lon=-83.66

Memorable partly because in the 1960's there was a plan to extend the Blue Ridge Parkway south, thru GSMNP and down into GA. The road would have crossed the Blue Ridge right at the Swag and obliterated a great deal of the AT.

The GATC planned and began building an alternate route for the AT. The trails cut for that purpose then are now the Benton Mackaye and Duncan Ridge Trails.

[Kerosene]

There's also a few nice tentsites atop Ramrock Mountain, a mile or two south of Woody Gap. No water, but a lovely view with the Atlanta skyline in the distance.

I was impressed by the location and number of tentsites just north of Neels Gap. I think it was Sheeprock Mountain that also had a great dry site.

[Ridge]

Out of the 75 miles of trail in GA you can probably camp on roughly 50 miles of trail. Just stay off the other 25.

[eightiesguy]

Wow... Thanks for all the great replies. My friends and I appreciate your recomendations. And as always, LNT is not just a motto, it's a way of life. Keep the suggestions coming.

[Whistler]

There are millions of places off of the Georgia AT. I like Preacher's Rock/ Big Cedar Mountain, just up the hill from Woody Gap. I also like the the Stover Creek/ Three Forks area... Cowrock Mountain has some nice views...
-Mark

[Uncle Wayne]

There are several areas in the first quarter mile on the ridge of Wildcat Mtn with awesome views at sunset and in the AM just north of Testanee (sp?) Gap. They are on the blue blaze trail to the Whitley Gap Shelter (1.2mi off trail). Bring water if staying on the ridge. The shelter has a great water source (at least in January).

One of the best, although dry, is on the AT ridge line of Wildcat Mountain. If you're going North, it's about 50 yards before the sign pointing to Whitley Gap Shelter. It has an overlook into Town Creek gorge and a view of Cowrock Mountain.

[Bianchi Veloce]

How about Poplar Stamp Gap about half way between Unicoi Gap and Tesnatee Gap? Was thinking of doing an over nighter there in a few weeks. My old guide book reports a stream near by. Is that stream a realible water source in early October? Thanks.

[Oddjob]

There is an unmarked spot off to the left (NOBO) about 2 miles south of the NC Border. The site is up on a knoll that is perfect for water runoff and there is a small creek if water is scarce. There was a primitive fire pit when I was there in May '06 and should still be there. Nice Flat ground, perfect for tenting.

[Pokey2006]

You already have it on your list, but I have to give special mention to Justus Creek. Lots of established campsites to choose from, all within sight and sound of the creek. Out of six months on the trail, this remained among my top five favorite places to camp.

[Bulldawg]

Wow, I found this thread on Google and decided to revive it a little. I am doing a small section this Thursday thru Saturday and need to find a good site for Thursday night. I am starting at Unicoi and going to Dick's Creek. Now I know most of you will say "Oh, thats just a two day hike". Well maybe it is for you guys, but I am nursing some sort of muscle pull that get aggravated every time I hike with any weight to amount to anything on my back, so I am not going to push myself, especially since I have to arrange a pick up with my wife. Would hate to tell her to pick me up Friday night and not show up due to slowing down through the hike.

Anyway, I am looking to stop Thursday somewhere just shy of Young Lick Knob Thursday night. I want to get a little past Tray Mountain shelter since it throws off my plan for the rest of the hike. But I don't want to attempt Rocky, Tray, and Young Lick on the same day, so I plan on stopping short. I hammock so almost anywhere is OK, just wondering where some of you might pitch camp if you were me. I am looking at somewhere between mile 57.5 and 57.8. Thanks in advance for the advice!!

[Dances with Mice]

Anyway, I am looking to stop Thursday somewhere just shy of Young Lick Knob Thursday night. I want to get a little past Tray Mountain shelter since it throws off my plan for the rest of the hike. But I don't want to attempt Rocky, Tray, and Young Lick on the same day, so I plan on stopping short. I hammock so almost anywhere is OK, just wondering where some of you might pitch camp if you were me. I am looking at somewhere between mile 57.5 and 57.8. Thanks in advance for the advice!!Steeltrap Gap. Great campsite with marked water source that is flowing (though it's way, way downhill). You may use less energy getting water at Tray.

And wonderful water bars, freshly cleared, on either side of the Gap. Magnificent water bars, as a matter of fact. Perhaps the best of any on the entire Appalachian Trail.

[whitefoot_hp]

i was just in the area and second this campsite. one of those, wow i wish i stayed here type thing in the morning.

[Bulldawg]

wow i wish i stayed here type thing in the morning.

That doesn't make sense to me???:-?:-?:-?:-?

[whitefoot_hp]

sorry.
i meant that i camped near it, and when i passed it in the morning, i wised that i had stayed there.

[Gray Blazer]

And wonderful water bars, freshly cleared, on either side of the Gap. Magnificent water bars, as a matter of fact. Perhaps the best of any on the entire Appalachian Trail.

Thankyou. Some people could take a lesson in modesty from you. Seriously.
Again, thanks.

[Bulldawg]

sorry.
i meant that i camped near it, and when i passed it in the morning, i wised that i had stayed there.

Oh Oh yes, where was it?

[Gray Blazer]

Oh Oh yes, where was it?

I'm guessing he's talking about Steeltrap Gap that DWM mentioned.

[whitefoot_hp]

Oh Oh yes, where was it?
Steeltrap gap, which i think is the next spot downhill from Tray mt, if traveling north. am i right DWM?

[Dances with Mice]

Steeltrap gap, which i think is the next spot downhill from Tray mt, if traveling north. am i right DWM?The geological names get confusing north of Tray. I tend to think that Tray has two summits, the rocky southern one with the views and the northern one with the shelter. Right? But then as you go north from the shelter you drop then climb up another rise which may be a shoulder of Tray? I don't think it has a name. Anyway, once over that rise you drop down into another gap called Wolfpen Gap, then there's another, shorter climb before dropping into Steeltrap. And that climb between Wolfpen and Steeltrap may also be part of Tray, I don't know its name either.

So in my best Bill Clinton impersonation: It depends on what is or isn't part of Tray. Between Steeltrap and the cutoff to the Tray shelter the hiker will see 2 more climbs and gaps.

[Bulldawg]

OK, well my meticulously planned out itinerary had me going about .6 further, but I might just stop at Steeltrap instead. DWM is telling me .6 further would put me almost up on Young Lick.

Whitefoot, is that the best hammock site in that general area or did you see some better hammock spots a little further up the trail like I want to be? Thanks to all!!

DWM, thanks for going in front of me and maintaining the section!!

[Bulldawg]

Oh yeah, since the experts are on this thread, does the AT summit Kelly Knob or not. I am trying to get all the 4000+ summits I can get in Georgia, Kelly Knob is one of them.

[Dances with Mice]

Oh yeah, since the experts are on this thread, does the AT summit Kelly Knob or not. I am trying to get all the 4000+ summits I can get in Georgia, Kelly Knob is one of them.I think it passes just to the west of the summit.

[Egads]

I think it passes just to the west of the summit.

There is a short blue blaze that is well worth the time and effort. I took a long lazy break at the overlook one sunny November day

Egads

[Bulldawg]

There is a short blue blaze that is well worth the time and effort. I took a long lazy break at the overlook one sunny November day

Egads

How far Egads?

Good to see you again BTW!!

[orangebug]

Ditto.

There are several nice obvious hammock campsites north of Tray and well before the Swag of the BlueRidge. In most of these, you can find water down hill south (off the the right heading NOBO). This is a very nice stroll if you aren't having to push a 17 mile pace the first day to get from Unicoi to Dicks Creek in one mega swoop.

[Bulldawg]

Ditto.

There are several nice obvious hammock campsites north of Tray and well before the Swag of the BlueRidge. In most of these, you can find water down hill south (off the the right heading NOBO). This is a very nice stroll if you aren't having to push a 17 mile pace the first day to get from Unicoi to Dicks Creek in one mega swoop.

Thanks, yes I am taking this one slow and easy. I pulled or stressed something in my right thigh back in the middle of February on The Coosa Backcountry Trail. The long pull from calf Stomp to Coosa Bald hit me like a ton of bricks up there somehow. So I am not going to try to do any more than 7 miles a day, and that is on day one so if I do start to stove up, I will not have to push big miles the next two days. I am being dropped off at 7AM Thursday and picked up at 1PM Saturday. Plenty of time to enjoy my hike in between.

Any good hammock sites near Deep Creek? Forecast is for rain Friday night, so I might actually be IN the shelter, even though I don't want to.

[orangebug]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Deep Creek. The two shelters between Unicoi and Dick's Creek are Tray and Kelly Knob. Both are nice shelters with great water, good views on Tray. But this is an area with more good campsites and hammock sites than you might imagine.

But given what sounds like a hamstring pull, I'd be very cautious with going too far downhill, especially if slippery, to get water. Get a bunch on Tray before heading downhill for the evening.

[Gray Blazer]

There is a short blue blaze that is well worth the time and effort. I took a long lazy break at the overlook one sunny November day

EgadsThat's another place to camp. No fire ring, though. Gets grown over in the summer. I like it because it makes good padding. There is a nice view of the ridge with the AT route going north and Lake Whatsitsname.

[Bulldawg]

That's another place to camp. No fire ring, though. Gets grown over in the summer. I like it because it makes good padding. There is a nice view of the ridge with the AT route going north and Lake Whatsitsname.

I might try to make it up there. I'd love to camp looking down on Lake Burton. I spent a lot of time up there in my younger days. Virtually lived on Lake Burton when a relative had a house up there.

[Gray Blazer]

I might try to make it up there. I'd love to camp looking down on Lake Burton. I spent a lot of time up there in my younger days. Virtually lived on Lake Burton when a relative had a house up there.

Bring your water with you if you do.

[Bulldawg]

Bring your water with you if you do.

Just finished looking at my guide to see the closest water! I am quite used to camping dry on the Coosa. Thanks!!!!

[BTrain]

Can highly commend Justus Creek - and this from a Kiwi. Slaughter Creek would be OK if its not too windy. Good luck!!

[Dances with Mice]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with Deep Creek. The two shelters between Unicoi and Dick's Creek are Tray and Kelly Knob. Are y'all trying to say "Deep Gap" shelter?

From Kelly you might be able to see two lakes. Burton to the east and Chatuge to the northwest. Chatuge is the one you can see from the Tray summit.

[Bulldawg]

Yeah Deep Gap, thats what I mean!!

[deeddawg]

I was at Deep Gap shelter a couple weeks ago. There are spots near the shelter to hammock, and also up at the gap itself if I remember, but by the time you get to the water source you're just about at the shelter.

As shelters go it's pretty nice. Two-level and fairly well protected.

[Bulldawg]

Well, I dont want to be actually IN the shelter unless it is raining Friday night, which it is forecasted to do. Let's hear it for hiking in the rain the Father Two Bit??

[Two Speed]

Well, I dont want to be actually IN the shelter unless it is raining Friday night, which it is forecasted to do. Let's hear it for hiking in the rain the Father Two Bit??Well, I don't go out of my way to hike in the rain, but I don't let it scare me off, either. Hike enough and sooner or later you ain't gonna be able to avoid it so I suggest getting your rain gear in order.

Really, rain ain't gonna kill ya. Unless you're so sweet that you're likely to melt or something. :rolleyes:

[MamaCat]

Justus Creek area is currently under a re-route. The trail is going to be diverted around the area due to overuse. It will probably next year before it is finished. There will also be some tent sites along the route.



Can highly commend Justus Creek - and this from a Kiwi. Slaughter Creek would be OK if its not too windy. Good luck!!