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10 Best Off Road Trails in GA: Georgia

Georgia is known for its stunning natural beauty. With its tall mountains and beautiful landscapes, it offers countless places to venture. Experience some of the best off road trails in GA.

Georgia offers plenty of off-road trails to explore with your ATV or Jeep. From easy to difficult terrain, there’s something for all skill levels. New drivers can experience the Forest Service Road, and more experienced drivers can take on the Beasley Knob Trails.

Our top picks for the best off road trails in GA are as follows:

  1. Houston Valley OHV Trails
  2. Forest Service Road
  3. Rocky Flats Trail
  4. Beasley Knob Trail
  5. Sarah’s Creek Road
  6. Tray Mountain Jeep Trail
  7. Horseshoe Ridge Road
  8. Appalachian Blue Road
  9. Currahee Mountain Trail
  10. Oakey Mountain

You can’t go wrong picking Georgia for your next off-road adventure. There are miles of trails and exciting terrain to hone your skills. There are also campsites available, so don’t worry about having to leave too soon.

10 Best Off Road Trails in GA

Off-Road 4x4 Mud Trail ATV

1. Houston Valley OHV Trails

One of the more popular trails, Houston Valley, is just west of Dalton. It offers 25-miles of challenging terrain, where you can experience a smooth drive with stunning views of nature.

Houston Valley offers a wide range of off-road trails for all skill levels, so even beginner riders can enjoy it. Only ATVs and motorbikes are allowed here. Large four-wheeled vehicles and those wider than 50 inches aren’t permitted.

The entrance fee is $5, but you can get an annual pass for $50. This place offers not only great trails, but also a campsite, so you and your friends can enjoy a fun weekend adventure. Be sure to call beforehand because this trail is known to close for days after rainfall.

2. Forest Service Road

At the base of John Dick Mountain, the Forest Service Road follows along the Toccoa River. It’s an off-road destination in the Chattahoochee National Forest that other hikers rarely use but a hit for off-road drivers. Aside from a trail, there’s also a campground and a fishing area.

The trail itself is fairly easy and goes about three miles long. Forest Service Road offers a stunning view of the North Georgia mountains, where you’ll find a few vehicles in the area but not enough to make it crowded.

3. Rocky Flats Trail

Rocky Flats is one of the few trails open all year. It is located near Chatsworth in the northern part of Georgia. Rocky Flats is open to bikes, ATV, Jeeps, and even foot hikers.

Rocky Flats has many overgrown trees and a thick forest, which means cellphone service can be weak.

The trail itself is relatively short, being just 3.4 miles long. It was actually closed for a few years ago, but it’s opened now with many clear paths and sturdy bridges to pass by.

4. Beasley Knob Trail

Located near Blairsville, Beasley Knob is famous for those looking for a challenge because it has steep trails and rough terrain. It can also get quite slippery after it rains. You’ll find several steep slopes that make for an exciting ride.

Check out their map to see its 10.6-mile course. It’s recommended that you call ahead before going because they sometimes close due to poor weather. Whether you’re using a motorbike, ATV, or a Jeep, this trail can be quite difficult if you’re not experienced.

To get here, go north from Blairsville, and the course beginning is around three miles from there. The signs will help guide you there. There is an entrance fee of $5 per head, and the trail is open from sunrise to sunset.

5. Sarah’s Creek Road

If you’re already near the area and not too confident about taking Beasley Knob, try your hand out at the nearby Sarah’s Creek Road. It lies just east of Beasley Knob and is perfect for beginner riders. This trail is found in Clayton and offers nine miles of easy off road trails in GA.

Lots of people and first-time off-roaders actually recommend starting here. You can even camp overnight and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls as you drive. This trail really gives you a glimpse of the beauty and wonder of nature. Note that some parts will require you to cross water, so prepare accordingly.

6. Tray Mountain Jeep Trail

You can find the Tray Mountain trail north of Helen city. It is one of the most popular Jeep off road trails in GA. The road climbs Tray Mountain to Tray Gap, and then you’ll find a small parking area with an intersection going to the Appalachian Trail.

The trail follows the ridge, so it has some spectacular views. However, be careful when driving these parts because it has several blind spots, so avoid going too fast and losing control. It’s also accessible during winter.

Tray Mountain is great for any vehicle, whether it’s an ATV or an SUV. It’s wide and easy enough to ride on. The trail gets a bit bumpy and rocky near the top, though. However, it’s best to be prepared with extra tires because some of the ditches could cause problems, especially for Jeeps.

The people in this area are protective of this land, so make sure you stay on designated routes and avoid going outside the trail. Always be mindful of the environment and the area.

7. Appalachian Blue Road

A more difficult trail just after Tray Mountain is Appalachian Blue Road. This six-mile trail is a challenge. If you’re looking to test your off-road prowess, this one is a must-visit off-road trail in GA.

Known for its rocky cliffs and muddy paths, Blue Road is made for experienced drivers searching for more thrill. If you want to experience tough terrain, then this is the trail for you.

For those going with a four-wheeler, parking can be a bit difficult as you reach the summit.

8. Horseshoe Ridge Road

Also known as Grassy Gap Road, Horseshoe Ridge Road is a moderately difficult trail that is perfect for off-road novices who want to level up their skills. It offers 8.2 miles of trail with a bit of light traffic.

While it’s not as hard as some of the other off-road trails on the list, this one has many rocks, though.

9. Currahee Mountain Trail

Farther up north near Toccoa is the Currahee Mountain Trail, which is at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

One of the highlights of this trail is that you can experience a gorgeous view if you get to the mountain top. It’s generally an easy trail that can have its bumps after the rainfall. Some days, this trail can be quite crowded as both hikers and riders often go here to see the top.

The trail length is two miles one way, so four in total for the entire round trip. You’ll find it to be generally well maintained. This, coupled with its wide spaces, makes a great place to play around with the different inclines and gives you enough room for other riders to pass.

10. Oakey Mountain

Another area with a nearby campsite, Oakey Mountain Trails, is 9.2 miles and offers six campgrounds complete with amenities. It’s located near Lake Burton and Lake Rabun.

This trail is suited for three-wheelers, trail bikes, and ATVs with less than a 48-inch axle width. It offers an easy to moderate level of difficulty. A few areas have blind curves and some steep inclines, which could be quite difficult for a novice driver. Oakey Mountain is also incredibly rocky, so be prepared.

Be careful when riding here, though, because it’s not a loop, so expect some two-way traffic when you’re there. Some paths can be narrower than others, too.

Conclusion – Off Road Trails in GA

So, what are the 10 best off road trails in Georgia? To summarize, here is the list again:

  1. Houston Valley OHV Trails
  2. Forest Service Road
  3. Rocky Flats Trail
  4. Beasley Knob Trail
  5. Sarah’s Creek Road
  6. Tray Mountain Jeep Trail
  7. Horseshoe Ridge Road
  8. Appalachian Blue Road
  9. Currahee Mountain Trail
  10. Oakey Mountain

Georgia has a lot of diverse trails that can prove to be a challenge for any rider. It has many different trails that vary in difficulty and comes with a ton of beautiful scenery. The rain can really throw off your plans, though, as some areas would be closed off when the weather is poor, so make sure you check ahead to see if they are open.

There’s a really good community of off-roaders here, so you will most likely come across many riders. They can either be on their Jeeps, ATVs, or motorbikes. It’s best to go early if you want a trail all to yourself!