Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

$12.00/night

Show on map 706-754-6221 sm.fs.crrd@usda.gov

48 Forest Service Road 44
Helen, GA 30545

Campground Updates: Low Gap now OPEN and Water System Changes at Upper Chattahoochee & Andrews Cove

Visitors to the Chattooga River Ranger District should be aware of several campground updates as the Forest Service completes facility improvements and transitions aging infrastructure.

Low Gap Campground has reopened, following replacement of the restroom facilities.

Drinking water is unavailable as system replacement work continues on the Upper Chattahoochee River Campground and Andrews Cove Campground. The well systems that previously served these sites are being decommissioned due to the high cost of maintaining and operating aging infrastructure.

Visitors planning to camp at these locations should bring their own potable water for drinking, cooking, and other needs.

The Forest Service remains committed to providing safe, accessible recreation opportunities across the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and appreciates the public’s patience as we complete these improvements and manage facilities responsibly.

For additional information, please contact the Chattooga River Ranger District.

Overview

The drive up through the winding misty roads of North Georgia leading to this 19-site, developed campground is almost as breath-taking as the site itself. Although the drive leaves one feeling as if civilization has been left far, far behind, the ever-popular and beloved alpine village of Helen, Georgia is less than an hour away. Camping here, visitors can enjoy the pleasure of Georgia's number one vacation spot with shopping, dining, and entertainment in the City of Helen and many recreational activities.

Recreation

At the rear of the campground, visitors will find the short walking trail for the beautiful Horse Trough Falls. It is just a mile downstream from the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. Recreational activities in this area include hiking, fishing, camping, and hunting. Right outside the campground, there is a Day-use picnic area for a nice break with the creek running just a few feet away. For those wanting to take the 7-mile drive along Upper Chattahoochee Road (FS 44 Road), you will find yourself outside of Helen, Georgia with many other recreational opportunities including rafting, kayaking, ziplining, and some great hiking trails.

Facilities

The campground offers 19 campsites, with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts at each site. Portable potties are available for use while the process is completed to replace the current restroom structures. There are trash bins available for placing your camping trash. Please don't overflow the bins to help reduce the bear-human negative interactions.

Natural Features

Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, a place of exploration and wonder. This National Forest is rich in history and is said to be a hiker's paradise with it's winding trails, scenic mountains, and rolling hills.

Nearby Attractions

You don't have to stroll far from your campsite to see the first of the nearby attractions with the Horsetrough Falls at the back end of the campground. Take a drive along the beautiful scenic Upper Chattahoochee River Road (FS 44 Road), and you can see many other waterfalls along the way while you are making your way to the many nearby attractions. Brasstown Bald is the highest peak in the State of Georgia at a height of 4784 feet above sea level is a 45-minute drive. Along the way you pass Unicoi Gap, one of the many areas of the National Scenic Appalachian Trail (A.T.) where hikers will cross Hwy 75 North coming out of Mark Trail Wilderness and heading into Tray Mountain Wilderness. Other attractions in the area include Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Ravens Cliff Wilderness, and many things of wonder in the alpine village of Helen, Georgia.

Charges & Cancellations

If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?

Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations.

Changes

If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for:

• Adding or removing nights to your stay.

• Changing to a different campsite.

Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.

Cancellations

You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees:

• $10 cancellation fee

• Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)

• Any previous change fees

Late cancellation penalties may also apply:

What is “Late”?

For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in.

Late Fee

In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit here:

Camp site features

Across 19 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 19 sites
Pets allowed: all 19 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

All camping is by Reservation only and needs to be completed online at www.recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777.

Directions

From Hiawassee or Clayton Georgia travel on Hwy 76 to Hwy 75. Turn south on Hwy 75 towards Helen, Georgia for approximately 13 miles. Turn right on Forest Service 44 Road, aka Upper Chattahoochee River Road just past the Unicoi Gap parking lot of the A. T. Travel approximately 5 miles on the dirt road to the entrance to the campground and day-use areas. From Helen travel north on Hwy 75 North for approximately 7 miles and turn left on Forest Service 44 Road, aka Upper Chattahoochee River Road. Travel approximately 5 miles on the dirt road to the entrance to the campground and day-use areas. The physical address is: 48 Forest Service Road 44.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

9 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Stephen B

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed 14 days ago

Five miles of poorly maintained and a very narrow entrance road. It’s a difficult situation if you encounter another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction especially if you are towing. Campground was a great location and idea but has fallen into neglect. The week before we arrived they took 13 bears from the area. We had no encounters. We stayed for one night of three and left early so we did not have to negotiate with oncoming traffic on the way down. We were towing a teardrop. Campground needs more descriptive information on the website

Nathan O

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed 16 days ago

Bathroom nearby and close to the creek. Very secluded Campsite and near the Falls trailhead

Angie C

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Very peaceful. We went last week in September & had it pretty much to ourselves. Caught a few fish &took a walk through the creek. The only complaint was the new bathroom's have no ventilation & the walls were covered with knats.

Cathryn V

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Campsites could use some TLC, new gravel to level the pads. Then there is the drinking water not being available. Otherwise, it is a nice, somewhat remote-feeling place to camp. Annoying that there aren't a portion of sites first come - first served, since half the reserved spots sit empty.

Joshua G

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

While the bathrooms were newly renovated and the water back on, it isn't advertised as such on the websites. Also, site 8 which I stayed at was massively reduced in size making it seem as if my money doesn't matter. But they can buy $200 worth of wood and throw it on the ground, not staked in m, and call them boundaries. And the camping sign is inside the pad making it even smaller. They changed one site. Mine. The one I've invested hundreds if not thousands of dollars in just to be slapped in the face. What a disappointment after two years of being closed.

Melody R

Loop:Chattahoochee River

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

This is a very pretty campground and very pleasant in mid-September. The sites are generously sized and pretty clean. With no on-premise caretaker, it's the luck of the draw in terms of camper behavior. The first night was rough; site crashers barreled in late at night and ran a loud engine for an hour or two. The second night was comparatively peaceful, featuring only a big party with a favorite music playlist. I don't really recommend the location to hikers, though. We could find no nearby trailheads, and hikers must wear orange and make noise to avoid getting shot by happy hunters! For that reason alone, we probably won't return. There are a few additional things you should know before your trip: 1. The unsigned dirt road into the campground is unpaved, winding, narrow, rutted, and gravelly. There's a reason the locals all drive big trucks. We would not have made it there in rainy conditions. 2. Google may not accept the address on your reservation. I may not accept the coordinates either! Just use the campground name. Your in-car GPS should keep working even after your phone loses signal, which it will. 4. Hunting is permitted within 150 yards of the campground. So if you like to hunt, you'll probably like this place! And if you plan to walk about in the woods, you'll need some bright orange gear. 3. Be sure to take a book or some games. Treking to the waterfall behind the campground will consume an hour at best.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

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