Lake Conasauga Loop
A flat mile around the highest lake in Georgia, at the top of the range.
- Distance
- 1.2 mi loop
- Elevation gain
- 42 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Crossings
- No crossings recorded
- Best season
- Late spring through fall. Road closes in winter.
Wilderness status
Outside the wilderness, Lake Conasauga Recreation Area
Bicycles
Bicycles are prohibited on this trail. Mechanized transport, including mountain bikes, is banned in designated wilderness under federal law by the Wilderness Act of 1964. This is enforced by the Forest Service. Do not ride here.
The trail
One and two tenths miles with forty two feet of elevation change, around a nineteen acre spring-fed lake sitting at roughly thirty one hundred fifty feet, which makes it the highest in the state. There is a campground here, a swimming area, and trout in the water.
This is the easiest thing on the list and it is also the place to base a family trip, since the fire tower and the Songbird loop are both within walking distance. The access road closes from December 29 until March 1. You can park at the gate, as long as you leave it clear, and continue by bike.
Marquee feature
The highest lake in Georgia at roughly 3,150 feet
Getting there
Forest Service roads to the Cohutta trailheads are gravel, seasonally gated, and often without cell service. Download directions before you leave pavement.
Access roads and winter closures
Open trailhead in Google Maps
Stay near the trailheads
Sherpa Camp — a cabin at the edge of the wilderness.
The drive in from Atlanta or Chattanooga is long enough that most people are better off sleeping near the gate than starting at 4 a.m. Sherpa Camp is a small cabin on Holly Creek, on the western edge of the Cohutta Wilderness, about 25 minutes from Ellijay. It sleeps five, with a covered porch, a firepit, and a creek. Cell service ends before you get there.
See Sherpa Camp