Ready to explore? Here’s a collection of public off-road trails across North Georgia—ranging from beginner-friendly fire roads to technical climbs with big views. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend ride or a full day of adventure, these trails will help you find your next destination. NOTE: This information is based on information found on the internet (not recent personal observation), which is often outdated. Additionally, a trail's condition/difficulty can change within the space of a few weeks.

• From Atlanta: US-19/129 N to Blairsville (≈2 hrs); trailheads off US-76. 
• Description: 13+ miles of steep climbs, rocks, ruts, and ridge trails. Jeep Badge of Honor site. Watch video.
• Vehicles: High-clearance 4x4s (Jeeps/trucks), ATVs, UTVs. 
• Difficulty: Expert. 
• Season: Spring–late fall; closed Jan–Apr and after heavy rain. 
• Permits/Fees: $5/day or annual OHV pass. 
• Amenities: Parking, vault toilet; services in Blairsville. 

• From Atlanta: I-575/GA-515 to Blue Ridge → Cherry Log → FS 144. 
• Description: ~8 miles, out-and-back. Scenic valley with 5 shallow creek crossings. Watch video.
• Vehicles: Stock 4x4s; crossings deeper after rain. 
• Difficulty: Easy. 
• Season: Year-round. 
• Permits/Fees: None. 
• Amenities: None on trail; services in Blue Ridge. 

• From Atlanta: US-441 to Clayton → Warwoman Rd → FS 70 → FS 54. 
• Description: ~9 miles, multiple water fords, remote mountain road. Very popular trail. Watch video.
• Vehicles: High-clearance 4x4s; check water depth. 
• Difficulty: Easy–moderate. 
• Season: Year-round. 
• Permits/Fees: None. 
• Amenities: Primitive camping nearby; services in Clayton/Hiawassee. 

• From Atlanta: I-85/I-985 → Toccoa; access via Currahee Mtn Rd. 
• Description: 3-mile gravel/dirt road to 360° summit views; WWII training site. Watch video. 
• Vehicles: High-clearance recommended; 4WD useful when wet. 
• Difficulty: Easy. 
• Season: Year-round. 
• Permits/Fees: None. 
• Amenities: None on site; services in Toccoa. 

• From Atlanta: I-75 N to GA-52 W (≈1 hr 45 min); follow signs to Lake Conasauga.
• Description: Short but rugged 7-mile trail system with steep ascents and tight turns through the Cohutta foothills.
• Vehicles: Dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and short-wheelbase 4x4s.
• Difficulty: Moderate–difficult.
• Season: Open mid-April through December; closed in winter.
• Permits/Fees: $5/day or annual OHV pass.
• Amenities: Trailhead parking, vault toilet, camping nearby at Lake Conasauga.

• From Atlanta: GA-400 → Dahlonega → GA-52 → Nimblewill Church Rd. 
• Description: Scenic forest service roads with creekside camps and ridge passes. Popular trails. Watch video.
• Vehicles: Most SUVs/4x4s; Bucktown rougher. 
• Difficulty: Easy–moderate. 
• Season: Year-round. 
• Permits/Fees: None for casual use. 
• Amenities: Dispersed camping; facilities at Amicalola Falls SP. 

Peeples Lake — Chatsworth

• From Atlanta: I-75 N → US-411 N to Chatsworth (approx. 1 hr 40 min). Trail begins inside a small residential area and ends at the Rock Creek OHV parking area.
• Description: Short, easy dirt road leading from town into the forest with steady traffic from vehicles hauling trailers. The road can become rutted from frequent use but remains passable for most high-clearance vehicles. The trail ends at Rock Creek OHV, which has <50" width trails for ATVs, SxSs, and dirt bikes.
• Trail Type: Full-width dirt road
• Distance: ~3.5 miles (point-to-point)
• Difficulty: Easy (Rating 2/10)
• Best Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
• Vehicles: Suitable for most high-clearance vehicles

Rocky Flats OHV — Chatsworth (Cohutta WMA)

• From Atlanta: I-75 → Chatsworth → US-411 → Old GA-2 → FS 630. 
• Description: 3.4 miles; wooded trail with rocks, bridges, brush. Watch video.
• Vehicles: High-clearance 4x4s, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes. 
• Difficulty: Moderate. 
• Season: Year-round, weather dependent. 
• Permits/Fees: None for street-legal rigs. 
• Amenities: Staging/parking only.

NOTE: Was reported to be closed in August because of a sinkhole. 

Rock Creek OHV Area — Mt. Hood National Forest

• From Atlanta: GA-400 N to GA-60 through Dahlonega (≈2 hrs).
• Description: Network of narrow forest roads through the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Rocky terrain and steep grades in places. Watch video.
• Vehicles: ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, short-wheelbase Jeeps.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Season: March–Dec; closed in winter.
• Permits/Fees: $5/day or annual OHV pass.
• Amenities: Parking lot, vault toilet, camping in nearby Coopers Creek WMA.

• From Atlanta: I-75 N to GA-52 W (≈1 hr 50 min); located within the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area.
• Description: Narrow mountain trail climbing Tatum Lead Ridge with deep ruts and scenic overlooks.
• Vehicles: 4x4 ATVs, dirt bikes, and Jeeps.
  Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Season: April–Dec; closed in winter.
• Permits/Fees: $5/day or annual OHV pass.
• Amenities: Limited parking; no facilities. Camping at nearby Cohutta WMA sites.

• From Atlanta: US-441 to Clayton → Warwoman Rd → FS 156. 
• Description: Scenic out-and-back forest service road with plenty of dispersed camping and a few pit toilets along the early, easier section. Trail becomes more technical toward the end, with three obstacle areas requiring careful line choice and tire placement. Watch video.
• Vehicles: Most SUVs/4x4s; shallow creek splashes. 
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
• Season: Typically spring–fall; winter varies. 
• Permits/Fees: Driving free; campground fee. 
• Amenities: Primitive campsites, vault toilets. 

• From Atlanta: GA-400 → Cleveland → Helen; FS 79 to Tray Gap. 
• Description:  Popular forest road near Helen with dispersed camping spots and scenic mountain views. Most of the route is easy, but higher elevations include rocky and rutted sections that need careful driving. Several spurs off the main trail offer added challenge, some suitable only for ATVs, SxSs, or bikes. Watch video.
• Vehicles: Stock 4x4s usually fine. 
• Difficulty: Easy–moderate. 
• Season: Year-round. 
• Permits/Fees: None. 
• Amenities: Parking at Tray Gap; services in Helen/Unicoi SP.
   

Little River Canyon (WMA) — Fort Payne, Alabama

• From Atlanta: I-75 N → US-411 N → AL-35 W (approx. 2 hr 45 min). Trail entrance off County Road 295; ranger station and paper trail maps available on County Road 103.
• Description: Scenic 15.4-mile loop featuring gravel and dirt roads, moderate ruts, mud holes, and multiple water crossings. Most run counterclockwise. Trails 7 and 9 have the roughest ruts and may require a spotter. Two Little River crossings vary in depth depending on season, with the second typically deeper (~2 ft in early spring). Watch video.
• Trail Type: Full-width forest roads
• Distance: ~15.4 miles (loop)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring, Summer, Fall
• Vehicles: High-clearance 4×4 recommended.

North Carolina Off-Road Trails

• Location / Access: Uwharrie Ranger District, North Carolina  
• Description: ~16 miles of trails maintained for 4WD vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles. Trails vary in difficulty. 
• Vehicles: Jeeps / 4WD, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes.  
• Difficulty: Mixed — some mild trails, some more technical spurs. 
• Season / Access: Usually open year-round, though trail sections may close for maintenance or weather. 
• Fees / Permits: Standard National Forest use rules apply. (No large private fee) 
• Amenities: Parking, vault toilets, signage, trailhead boards and trash collection.

• Location / Access: North Carolina — Dutch John is part of the Uwharrie / Pisgah trail systems.  
• Description: Mixed terrain; mild trail with occasional muddy climbs. In wet conditions, more challenging.  
• Vehicles: Jeeps/4WD, ATVs.  
• Difficulty: Generally moderate, though in dry conditions easier. 
• Season / Access: Typically open year-round; trail use may be limited by maintenance or weather.  
• Fees / Permits: Standard forest service regulations; no major private fee. 
• Amenities: Trailheads, forest parking, some facilities like signs.

• Location / Access: In or around Cherokee National Forest / Pisgah region; often accessed via Newport, NC side.  
• Description: Rocky Top is a trail with exposed rock, climbs, good views; Big Fill is a companion route often combined with Rocky Top for a full-day run.  
• Vehicles: High-clearance 4×4, preferably with off-road tires. 
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, depending on conditions and which sections you do. 
• Season / Access: Usually open; some sections may be seasonal or gated. 
• Fees / Permits: No private fees, just forest service regulations. 
• Amenities: Typically minimal — parking, trailheads; nearest services in local towns.

Tennessee Off-Road Trails

• Location / Access: In Tennessee (Huntsville area) 
• Description: Many miles of trails, wooded paths, water crossings, steep sections. More remote and adventurous. 
• Vehicles: Jeeps, UTVs, ATVs, etc.  
• Difficulty: Some trails are tough; good for intermediate to expert users.  
• Season / Access: Open unless conditions are prohibitive (mud, storm damage).  
• Fees / Permits: Paid entry (varies by park)  
• Amenities: Trail infrastructure, basic support. Check park’s website for camping, restrooms. 

• Location / Access: Tracy City, Tennessee (in southern Tennessee)  
• Description: City-owned OHV area with scenic trails, caves, overlooks, varied terrain.  
• Vehicles: Jeeps, 4×4s, ATVs, UTVs. 
• Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate; good for mixed use and for people wanting moderate challenge.  
• Season / Access: Year-round (weather dependent)
• Fees / Permits: The area is kept up by the city; generally free or low cost for local OHV use.  
• Amenities: Because it’s city-owned, more likely to have parking, signage, maybe restrooms or nearby services.