conasauga
out and back
Hickey Gap Trail
needs description
0.9 mi+216 ftconasauga
View Trail
Cohutta & Big Frog Wilderness · Georgia & Tennessee
The Cohutta Wilderness is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Eastern United States. Discover 95,000 acres of old-growth forest, wild trout streams, and remote ridgelines..
36+ Trails
95,000 Acres
2 Wilderness Areas
Discover
adjacent
point to point
needs description
conasauga
out and back
A 3.0-mile river trail in the Cherokee National Forest following the Conasauga downstream from the Jacks River confluence, with swimming holes, rapids, and a loop connection to Iron Mountain Trail.
jacks
out and back
A short but meaningful connector into the Jacks River corridor, descending through a drier, younger second-growth forest shaped by past logging before reaching an unbridged ford at Horseshoe Bend.
conasauga
out and back
A 13.1-mile river wilderness traverse with 38 crossings, cascading headwaters, and some of the most boulder-strewn water in the Cohuttas.
conasauga
loop
A lesser-traveled Cohutta-area loop with a drier, younger forest character, repeated drops into the Sumac Creek drainage, and a mix of double-track and ridge travel that feels rugged without being truly remote.
Why It Matters
Designated in 1975 and expanded in 1986, the wilderness now consists of 36,977 acres in Georgia and 1,709 acres in Tennessee. When considered with the surrounding Cohutta WMA and the adjoining Big Frog Wilderness, this protected mountain region stretches across well over 100,000 acres—the largest contiguous protected landscape in the Eastern United States.
Built from ancient Cambrian slates and quartzites of the Ocoee Series, the Cohuttas rise sharply from the Great Valley with broad ridges, rocky coves, and deep drainage cuts. Cowpen Mountain reaches 4,150 feet in Georgia; Big Frog Mountain tops 4,224 feet in Tennessee—the westernmost 4,000-foot summits on the East Coast.
Two great rivers shape this landscape: the Conasauga—one of the most biologically rich rivers in North America—and the Jacks, famous for its blue pools, gorge sections, and legendary falls. The eastern Cohuttas receive over 80 inches of rain annually, creating temperate rainforest conditions in the north-facing coves.
From rich cove woods of hemlock, sycamore, and buckeye along the rivers to high-elevation forests of white pine, yellow birch, and sugar maple near Grassy Mountain. Pockets of true old growth survive, including the Gennett Poplar—the second largest living tree in Georgia. Nine species of trillium have been documented on a single mountain.
At a Glance
100,000+
Acres Protected
Cohutta + Big Frog + WMA combined
36+
Named Trails
From easy walks to strenuous ridge routes
80+
Stream Crossings
Across the Conasauga & Jacks rivers
4,224 ft
Big Frog Summit
Westernmost 4,000’ peak on the East Coast
80"
Annual Rainfall
Eastern slopes, temperate rainforest
~2 hrs
From Atlanta
Closest major wilderness to the city
Multi-Day Adventures
loop
needs description
conasauga
loop
A lesser-traveled Cohutta-area loop with a drier, younger forest character, repeated drops into the Sumac Creek drainage, and a mix of double-track and ridge travel that feels rugged without being truly remote.
loop
needs description
Before You Go
Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers and full streams. Fall (Oct–Nov) offers brilliant foliage and cooler temps. Summer is lush but humid; winter is quiet with occasional ice.
The Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness areas require no permits for day hiking or overnight camping. Campfires are permitted but discouraged during dry periods. Pack out all waste.
Camp at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and other campers. No camping within 50 feet of the Jacks River during high-use periods. Bear canisters are strongly recommended.
Cell service is unreliable throughout most of the wilderness. Download offline maps before you go. The USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map and USGS 7.5-minute topos are available on our Maps page.
Many trails cross streams without bridges. The Jacks River Trail has 42 crossings. In spring or after heavy rain, crossings can be thigh-deep and dangerous. Check conditions before heading out.
The Cohutta is a designated Wilderness — mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes, is prohibited. Stay on trail, minimize campfire impact, and respect wildlife by storing food properly.
History & Designation
The Cohutta Mountains have been inhabited for thousands of years. The Cherokee called this region ‘Gahuti,’ meaning ‘a shed roof,’ for the way the ridges slope away from the central peaks. Archaeological sites along the Conasauga and Jacks rivers confirm continuous habitation stretching back at least 8,000 years.
By the early 1900s, industrial logging had reached the Cohuttas. Splash dams floated logs down the Conasauga and Jacks rivers, and narrow-gauge railroads penetrated the hollows. The Conasauga River Lumber Company operated extensively in the area until the 1920s, when the land was acquired for the newly established Chattahoochee National Forest.
In 1975, the Cohutta became one of the first wilderness areas designated east of the Mississippi under the Eastern Wilderness Act. It was expanded in 1986 to its current 36,977 acres. The adjacent Big Frog Wilderness was designated in 1984, creating a contiguous protected landscape of nearly 100,000 acres—one of the wildest places remaining in the Eastern United States.
Chattahoochee National Forest established, protecting the Georgia highlands.
Cohutta Wilderness designated under the Eastern Wilderness Act — 34,102 acres.
Big Frog Wilderness designated in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee.
Cohutta Wilderness expanded to 36,977 acres, its current boundary.
Roadless Area Conservation Rule further protects surrounding national forest lands.
~95,000 acres of combined wilderness, among the wildest land east of the Rockies.
Field Notes
October 1, 2026
The Cohutta Wilderness puts on one of the finest fall foliage displays in the Southeast — but the timing and the best viewing spots aren't always obvious. Here's how to plan your autumn trip.
April 10, 2026
From trout lilies in February to flame azalea in June, the Cohutta Wilderness puts on one of the finest wildflower shows in the Eastern United States. Here are the best trails to catch the bloom.
March 15, 2026
Forty-two stream crossings, old-growth hemlocks, and one of the finest wild trout fisheries in the Southeast. The Jacks River Trail is the crown jewel of the Cohutta Wilderness — and one of the most demanding day hikes in Georgia.
Download official USFS and USGS maps before you leave cell range. No signal required.