The highest state park in Georgia
- Black Rock Mountain State Park reaches 3,640 feet, making it the highest state park in Georgia. It sits on the Eastern Continental Divide, and its roadside overlooks give 80-mile views. Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain State Park
- Black Rock Mountain State Park covers 1,743 acres and has a 17-acre lake, 10 cottages, 44 tent, trailer and RV sites, 12 walk-in and 4 backcountry campsites, and 11 miles of trails. The park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, GA 30562. Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain State Park
- The park's published GPS point (N 34.9069220, W 83.4083750) is about 2.0 miles (3.25 km) in a straight line north-northwest of the Main Street and Savannah Street signal in downtown Clayton. This is a computed straight-line figure, not a driving distance. Georgia State Parks GPS coordinates; downtown point from OpenStreetMap node 72221208; haversine computed by the editors
Trails and what is closed
- Georgia State Parks suggests the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail for a short, moderate hike at Black Rock, and the 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail for an all-day hike. As of Oct. 18, 2026, the park says the Ada-Hi Falls Trail is closed for stair repair. Georgia State Parks: Leaf Watch 2026; Black Rock Mountain park alert
- Because of its 3,640-foot altitude, Black Rock Mountain is often cooler than other Georgia parks and may close during icy weather. The park says RVers should be comfortable driving on steep, winding roads. Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain State Park
Tennessee Rock Trail (Black Rock Mountain)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 15 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2.2 mi round trip Agency: '2.2 mile loop. Rated moderate to difficult.' (Its description also calls it 'easy to moderate'; the heading rating is used.) · Rated moderate to difficult by the agency
The park's most popular trail, a yellow-blazed loop through high forest with views that on clear days reach into North and South Carolina and Tennessee.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain trails, checked 2026-10-18
James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail (Black Rock Mountain)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 15 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 7.2 mi round trip Agency: '7.2 mile loop. Rated difficult to strenuous.' (Its description says 'moderate to strenuous'; the heading rating is used.) · Rated difficult to strenuous by the agency
Steep backcountry loop past cascading streams to the summit of Lookoff Mountain and a view of Wolffork Valley; used for day hikes and backcountry camping.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Good to know: Backcountry campsites on this trail have bear boxes.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain trails, checked 2026-10-18
Black Rock Mountain summit overlooks and visitor center
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Black Rock Mountain State Park)
About 16 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia's highest state park (3,640 ft) on the Eastern Continental Divide; roadside overlooks give 80-mile views and the summit visitor center has a gift shop and picnic tables.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets (6-foot leash maximum) are welcome at Georgia state parks; pets are not allowed in buildings, swimming areas or beaches.
Good to know: The park reports the Ada-Hi Falls Trail closed for stair repair (Oct. 2026).
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain State Park, checked 2026-10-18
Fall color comes early up here
- Georgia State Parks lists Black Rock Mountain (under Clayton) among its most popular parks for fall color. It says the park is "usually one of the first locations to show vibrant fall color." The parks ask leaf-watchers to visit on weekdays because access may be limited when parking fills. Georgia State Parks: Leaf Watch 2026
- In mid-October 2026, the Georgia Forestry Commission's weekly leaf-watch update put fall color in the North Georgia mountains on course to peak from the final week of October through the first week of November. About 20% of leaves had started to turn at the highest elevations of far North Georgia. FOX 5 Atlanta, "Leaf Watch 2026: Fall color starts to pop in North Georgia," Oct. 15, 2026 (citing the Georgia Forestry Commission)
Our fall color page has the rest of this year’s timing.
Fees
- Parking at Georgia State Parks costs $10 per vehicle per day, and an annual ParkPass costs $70. A daily pass works at more than one state park on the same day. Seniors 62 and older get 50% off the annual pass and active military and veterans 25%, but discounted passes must be bought in person. Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Foxfire is on the same mountain
- In 1974 Foxfire students used book royalties to buy land on Black Rock Mountain. Historic buildings were moved there to create the Foxfire Village Museum, which has more than 20 historic log buildings showing Appalachian life from 1820 to 1940, plus a working blacksmith shop. Foxfire: Village Museum & Mercantile; Foxfire: History
- The Foxfire Village Museum is open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m., with last admission an hour before closing. Admission is free for ages 5 and under, $5 for ages 6-10, $10 for 11-18, $20 for 19-61 and $15 for 62 and up. Its mailing address is in Mountain City. Foxfire: Village Museum & Mercantile, Hours & Information
Questions
How far is Black Rock Mountain from downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is about two miles in a straight line north-northwest of downtown Clayton, measured from Main and Savannah Streets to the park's published GPS point. The road climbs steeply, so the drive takes longer. The address is 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, and the park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain (GPS, address, hours); distance computed by the editors
Is Black Rock Mountain the highest state park in Georgia?
Yes. At 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia's highest state park, though Brasstown Bald is the state's highest peak. The park sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and has overlooks with 80-mile views, 11 miles of trails, a 17-acre lake, cottages and campsites. It is often cooler than other parks and may close in icy weather.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain; Leaf Watch 2026
How much does it cost to visit Black Rock Mountain or Tallulah Gorge?
Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day at Georgia State Parks, including Black Rock Mountain and Tallulah Gorge. One daily pass covers more than one state park on the same day. An annual ParkPass costs $70, with 50% off for seniors 62 and older and 25% off for military and veterans if bought in person.
Source: Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Do I need a permit to hike the Tallulah Gorge floor?
Yes. A free gorge-floor permit is required, and only 100 are issued each day. You get one at the Interpretive Center on the day of your hike after a safety briefing at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. or noon; you cannot reserve ahead. Permits often run out early on busy days. None are issued on water-release dates.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park (Gorge Floor Permits)
How hard is the Tallulah Gorge floor hike?
It is very strenuous. The park describes a route with about 1,000 stairs and says it is not recommended for children aged 8 or younger. Wear proper footwear, because flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed, and wet rocks are deceptively slippery. Pets are not allowed on the gorge floor. Rim trails and overlooks need no permit.
How far is Tallulah Gorge from Clayton?
Tallulah Gorge State Park is about 9.6 miles in a straight line south of downtown Clayton, in the town of Tallulah Falls; the drive is longer. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, with 20 miles of park trails. The park is open 8 a.m. to dark at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge (GPS, facts, hours); distance computed by the editors
When are the Tallulah Gorge water releases in 2026?
The remaining 2026 aesthetic releases (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are Oct. 21, 23 and 31 and Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Whitewater boating weekends (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are Nov. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. The gorge floor is closed to hikers on every release date, but the rim overlooks stay open.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge, 2026 Water Release Dates
When is peak fall color near Clayton?
For 2026, the forecast puts peak color in the North Georgia mountains from the last week of October through the first week of November. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that forecast on Oct. 15, 2026, citing the Georgia Forestry Commission. Georgia State Parks says Black Rock Mountain, at 3,640 feet, is usually one of the first places to show vibrant color.
Where can I see fall leaves near downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is the closest leaf-watching spot, about two miles from downtown as the crow flies. Georgia State Parks recommends its overlooks, summit visitor center and the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail. Tallulah Gorge's rim trails are also on the state's list of top fall parks. Visit on a weekday, because parking can fill.
What is Foxfire, and where is the museum?
Foxfire is a magazine started in 1966 by a teacher and students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, which became a bestselling book series. Royalties bought land on Black Rock Mountain in 1974. The Foxfire Village Museum there has more than 20 historic log buildings. It is open Monday to Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 12-4, and adult admission is $20.
What is Warwoman Dell?
Warwoman Dell is a Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest recreation area 3 miles east of Clayton on Warwoman Road. It has a 1.1-mile trail system with a small waterfall, two picnic shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and old CCC stone trout runs. It is open sunrise to sunset, and there is no drinking water.
Which lakes are near Clayton, Georgia?
Three Georgia Power lakes sit in Rabun County near Clayton: Lake Burton, Lake Seed and Lake Rabun. Georgia DNR places Burton between Clayton and Hiawassee; it covers about 2,775 acres and was full by 1920. Seed covers 240 acres behind Nacoochee Dam, built in 1926. Rabun covers 834 acres behind Mathis Dam, built in 1915. All three are part of Georgia Power's North Georgia hydro system.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: Electricity for Atlanta; Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes
Is there really a town under Lake Burton?
Yes. Georgia Railway and Power began buying the town of Burton and the land around it in 1917. The 128-foot Burton Dam was finished in December 1919, and by August 1920 the reservoir had filled over the old town. Its houses and buildings had been torn down or moved, and its cemeteries were relocated to higher ground.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: The First 200 Years; Electricity for Atlanta
Is the Chattooga River near Clayton a Wild and Scenic River?
Yes. Congress added the Chattooga to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System on May 10, 1974. Its designated reach runs 58.7 miles through North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and ends at Lake Tugaloo, and 41.6 of those miles are classed as wild. In Rabun County, the Forest Service manages the river corridor.
Source: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: Chattooga River
How high is Clayton, GA above sea level?
Downtown Clayton sits about 1,930 feet above sea level. A U.S. Geological Survey elevation query at the Main Street and Savannah Street signal returns 1,931.8 feet. That puts Black Rock Mountain State Park's 3,640-foot high point roughly 1,700 feet higher than downtown. Georgia State Parks warns that the mountain is often cooler and may close in ice.
Source: USGS Elevation Point Query Service; Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: City of Clayton
