Cohutta Wilderness Forest Road 17

Forest Road 17 cuts deep into Georgia’s Cohutta Wilderness, the state’s largest designated wilderness at 37,000 acres of rugged Southern Appalachian terrain. This forgotten logging road winds through old-growth hardwood forests and crosses Jack’s Creek multiple times before reaching the wilderness boundary. The route passes remnants of the old mining settlement at Jacks River Falls, where copper was extracted in the 1800s.

Moderate difficulty requires high-clearance 4WD for rocky sections and water crossings that can rise quickly during rain. Best tackled May through October when streams are manageable. No permits needed for the forest road itself, but wilderness camping requires Leave No Trace ethics. Stock up on fuel in Blue Ridge — it’s 40+ miles to services. What you get is solitude in Georgia’s premier backcountry, with access to some of the state’s best trout fishing and hiking.