Highpointing is a fun family activity and ideal for school and youth outings. Here is what me and my family learned when we visited Georgia’s highest point.
Chattahoochee National Forest
Georgia’s highest point is located in Chattahoochee National Forest which is 867,000 acres. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor adventures such as hiking, fishing, camping, water activities, and more. The rolling summits at the top of Brasstown Bald are a main attraction. On a clear day you can see 80 miles and 4 states from the 360-degree observation deck including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Brasstown Bald
At 4,784 feet above sea level this is a substantial summit. You have a couple of different hiking options. You can park in the lower lot and hike about 7 miles to the top or you can park at the upper lot and hike less than a mile up but it’s a challenging hike as it’s all uphill. The park compares the 6/10 of a mile hike with climbing 42 flights of stairs. You can also take the shuttle to the top. Shuttle service is included in the $5 entrance fee. At the top is an 8,000 square foot visitor center with a nature museum and a 15-minute movie about Brasstown Bald. Understanding the best time of year to highpoint is a must, and for this mountain the best time to visit is March through October. Observation deck hours are 10 am to 5 pm. If weather is bad call ahead to ensure access to the observation deck is open.
Georgia Fun Facts
Georgia is our home state but we always learn a few fun facts for each state.
- Georgia is the 4th state founded in 1788.
- The state capital is Atlanta.
- Atlanta is the largest city, which is unique as most capital cities are not the largest cities too.
- The state nickname is the Peach state and empire state of the south.
- The state flower is the Rosa laevigata, the state bird is the brown thrasher, and the state tree is the sprawling southern live oak.
- At 438,000 acres the Okefenokee Swamp is the 6th largest swamp in the world. It straddles the Georgia-Florida line and is home to hundreds of species of birds and wildlife.
Not all high points are located in such beautiful forests so enjoy the view!