Thirty-two more miles of trail are planned at Starr
Mountain to make
that trail system about 84 miles. Thirty additional miles are
planned
at Citico for a total of 64 miles. We currently have 14 miles on
Unicoi
Mountain and 15 miles on Upper Bald River, 24 miles South of
Parksville Lake, and 3.5 miles on Smith Mtn. When current projects
are completed (2009 at best) we will have about 205 miles of trails to
maintain plus gated roads. Two new parking lots are planned, one
at Citico and one on the East side of Starr Mountain. Both of
these are
designed to allow equestrians to ride right out of the parking lot onto
the trails!
Thanks for all you do for our trails!
Trail maps are in PDF format and some are also in
National Geographic's
TOPO State Series (.tpo) You can purchase this product from
many outdoor stores or online. One source is here:
How to buy TOPO!
National Geographic State Series
"Leave No Trace" Horse Guidelines (PDF)
FOREST SERVICE FEES IN OCONEE AND CHATTAHOOCHEE NF
New
federal legislation has resulted in a new fee structure in various parts
of the
Oconee and Chattahoochee National Forests. To visit the web site matrix
go to the
following:
http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/rec/2006-fees-and-passes.pdf
<http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/rec/2006-fees-and-passes.pdf>
In summary the following fees are applicable to equestrian areas. Dry
Creek Equestrian
Trail Head: $5 per vehicle or forest annual pass accepted.
Cottonwood Patch Developed Campground: $8 (free for day use) or 50% off
for Golden
Passport holders.
Jack's River Fields Developed Campground: $5 (free for day use) or 50% off for Golden
Passport holders.
Frady Branch Day Use Trail Head: $5/person or forest annual pass
accepted (note this
is a per person area since it was an established fee area prior to the
legislation).
Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trail Head: Although the matrix indicates $5
per person,
the fee is being changed to $5 per vehicle.
Willis Knob group horse camping (loops A and B) prices vary. Make
reservations for
Willis Knob at
www.reserveusa.com.
STARR MOUNTAIN - LOST CORRAL HORSE CAMP
Cherokee National Forest - Ocoee RD
STARR
MOUNTAIN Trails and History
Lost Corral features 20 developed campsites, each with its own picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and horse hitching area. Each site will accommodate up to five people and two vehicles. Potable water and vault toilet facilities are located in the campground. The fee for camping is $15 per site per day.
Ocoee-Hiwassee District Ranger, Monte Williams said, "This is a nice facility and we are pleased to make it available to equestrian users."
Lost Corral Horse Camp is near the Starr Mountain Horse Tail Complex, Gee Creek Wilderness, Spring Creek Shooting Range and Hiwassee River. "Lost Corral is in a great location near a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities," said Williams.
The Starr Mountain Horse Trail Complex consists of over 30 miles of trails ranging from short loop trails to long overnight rides. The trail complex can be accessed directly from the Lost Corral Horse Camp and Trailhead via the Coffee Branch Trail No. 105 which is a 7.9 mile ride to Iron Gap. This trail presents a moderate challenge due to the grade and rocky condition of the old roadbed. Combined with the Chestnut Mountain Trail No. 104, which is 3.8 miles, riders can make a loop back to Lost Corral through Gee Creek Wilderness.
For additional information about Lost Corral Horse Camp, contact the Ocoee-Hiwassee Ranger District at (423) 338-3300.
Lost Corral Horse Camp is located off Highway 411, seven miles north of the traffic light in Ocoee Scenic River State Park sign marking the turn. After turning onto Spring Creek Road, Lost Corral is just past the State Parks Office and across the road from Gee Creek State Park.
Cherokee NF - Tellico RD
Citico Creek area has the only developed horse campground on the Tellico
Ranger District. Young Branch Horse Camp is located across the road from
the Little Citico Horse Trail system and available through reservations
only. Reservations can only be made through the
National
Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777. The Little Citico Horse Trail system offers
about 15 miles of backcountry trails in the Citico Creek Wilderness.
Group sizes are limited to 12 inside the Wilderness boundary.
Young Branch Trail Map in PDF Format
Young Branch Trail MAP in TPO Format
FIRES CREEK
Nantahala National Forest - Tusquitee RD
Fires Creek Trails Map in PDF Format (Tusquitee RD, North Carolina)
Chattahoochee National Forest - Conasauga RD
- Conasauga River Alliance Info
- Wilderness Preservation Info
- Trails of the Cohutta Wilderness
The Cohutta Wilderness occupies 36,977 acres in the mountains of North Georgia and is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Conasauga RD. It adjoins Tennessee's Big Frog Wilderness to the North. There are approximately 90 total miles of horse/hiking trails. Although horses are considered "foot traffic" here, riding "cross country" is not recommended because of the numerous stump holes, old barbed wire, blowdowns, and the presence of snakes and various types of bees. Because of steep terrain, river crossings, the danger of flash floods, and the remote nature of the Wilderness, horses are restricted from some trails and sensitive areas. Trail markings are minimal and a map and/or GPS is strongly recommended if you are not familiar with the area. A map is available from the Conasauga Ranger District office in Chatsworth, GA. Please read the bulletin boards at the trail heads. Notify a family member of your intentions to visit here. Except for the most popular areas at peak times, you may not encounter another visitor. There are limitations on where you can ride and camp and the number of riders in a group (three) to protect sensitive areas and to preserve the "Wilderness Experience" of solitude and absence of civilization. Wildlife viewing experiences (bears, hogs, deer, turkey, etc.) are common if you ride quietly and in small groups. Please practice "Leave no Trace" ethics, pack out any trash you find, and avoid the lowland river trails in wet weather. The Cohutta Wilderness, although part of the Chattahoochee NF, has additional regulations to preserve the wilderness experience. The rules and regulations governing this can be found in the USFS Limits of Acceptable Change Record of Decision (ROD).
- LIMITS OF ACCEPTABLE CHANGE ROD for the Cohutta Wilderness
BIG FROG WILDERNESS - The Big Frog Wilderness occupies 7,993 acres in the mountains of Southwestern Tennessee and is part of the Cherokee National Forest, Ocoee RD. It adjoins Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness to the South. There is only one section of trail open to horses in the Big Frog Wilderness. Hemp Top Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness crosses into the Big Frog Wilderness at Double Spring Gap which is at the foot of Big Frog Mountain. There is horse water here from the spring to the East of the trail. Hemp Top Trail continues North into the Big Frog Wilderness with a 1 mile steep climb to the top of Big Frog Mountain. From there you can ride West on Licklog Trail to it's junction with Wolf Ridge Trail. Wolf Ridge Trail descends down a steep ridge spine to intersect with Chestnut Ridge Trail. South on Chestnut Ridge Trail leads to a parking lot/trail head on Big Frog Road at the Southern edge of the Big Frog Wilderness. South on Big Frog road leads to the horse camp at Cottonwood Patch. There is NO horse water from Double Spring Gap to the end of Big Frog Road. This is an extremely rugged section of trail, with steep climbs, descents, rocky steps, and drop-offs. A calm, fit, experienced trail horse is strongly recommended.