Cohutta Wilderness Forest Road 64
Wilderness creek crossings and ridge views
Forest Road 64 cuts deep into the Cohutta Wilderness boundary, following Jacks River upstream through dense hardwood forest and rocky creek beds. This remote Cherokee National Forest route demands respect – three significant water crossings can turn treacherous after rain, and the narrow track hugs steep hillsides where one wrong move means trouble. The payoff comes at Hemp Top, where ridge views stretch across the Tennessee-Georgia border country.
Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance 4WD and recovery gear for the creek crossings. Rock sliders recommended for the boulder fields past mile marker 3. Best tackled April through October when water levels stay manageable. No permits needed, but dispersed camping requires following Leave No Trace principles. Expect zero cell service once you leave the pavement. This is proper backcountry – fuel up in Tellico Plains and pack everything you need.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 4-6 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Tellico Plains, TN |
| Land manager | Cherokee National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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