Forest Road 90 to High Shoals Falls Backcountry Access
Technical access to Georgia's tallest waterfall
Forest Road 90 punches deep into the South Mountains of Chattahoochee National Forest, delivering you to High Shoals Falls—Georgia’s tallest cascade at 100 feet of thundering whitewater over bare granite. The final three miles turn nasty: loose rock, deep ruts, and creek crossings that’ll scrape your skid plates. This old logging road predates the national forest, originally cut in the 1920s to harvest the massive chestnuts that once dominated these ridges before the blight wiped them out.
Difficult terrain demands serious 4WD capability, recovery gear, and someone who knows where their differential sits. Trail damage from heavy rains closes sections periodically—check with the Tallulah Ranger District before heading out. Best accessed March through November when ice doesn’t turn the granite slabs into skating rinks. No facilities whatsoever, pack everything in and out. The reward justifies the beating: standing at the base of Georgia’s most powerful waterfall with granite walls towering overhead and not another soul in sight.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Serious 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Cleveland, GA |
| Land manager | U.S. Forest Service - Chattahoochee National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner handle this, or does it need more than a lift kit?
A serious 4WD with at least a 2-inch lift, skid plates, and all-terrain tires is the minimum. Rocky ledges and exposed granite slabs will punish anything with stock plastic cladding or no underbody protection — lockers or a rear locker strongly preferred on the harder sections.
What months is FR-90 actually passable, and does it close in winter?
Best window is March through November. Winter ice and snow on granite at elevation makes the trail genuinely dangerous, and the USFS may gate sections after hard freezes. Check with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest ranger district before heading out in December through February.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee to run this trail?
No permit is required to drive FR-90, but the High Shoals Falls trailhead and picnic area is within the Chattahoochee National Forest — no day-use fee currently. Dispersed camping on National Forest land is allowed under standard USFS rules: 14-day limit, 300 feet from water sources and trails.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it difficult?
The granite slab climbs in the upper gorge stretch are the crux — exposed rock with little traction when wet, combined with off-camber shelf road with drop-offs. Line choice matters more than power here; one bad wheel placement on slick granite and you're on the rocks below the trail.
Is there anywhere to refuel or get water near the trailhead, and does cell service exist on trail?
Cell service is zero on this trail — none. Fuel up in Cleveland, GA before heading out; there's nothing useful between Cleveland and the trailhead. Water crossings exist on trail but treat any creek water before drinking; carry your own supply for the full day.
Trail track
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