Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

Campground · Georgia · 19 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area · Restricted Access

19
Bookable sites
up to 8
People per site
2,191 ft
Elevation
Informational Kiosk
Photo: Barb Ramey · Recreation.gov

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:

The facts

  • Season: 03/15/2025 – 10/31/2025 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 19 bookable sites
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: Chattahoochee River

Site types

  • 19 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

19 campsites at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
1Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
10Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightSprings—5 🐾
11Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightSprings—5 🐾
12Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
13Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlight——8 🐾
14Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
15Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlight——8 🐾
16Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
17Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricParallelGravelSlight——8 🐾
18Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravelSlight——8 🐾
19Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
2Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlight——8 🐾
3Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
4Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlight——8 🐾
5Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
6Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
7Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
8Chattahoochee RiverStandard Nonelectric—GravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾
9Chattahoochee RiverStandard NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront—8 🐾

Getting there

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.

34.78694, -83.78287 · 34°47'13.0"N 83°46'58.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in5.15.25.65.44.75.64.85.75.34.64.95.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

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

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

Can you reserve a site at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Yes, Upper Chattahoochee River Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Upper Chattahoochee River Campground have?
19 sites.
Are pets allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground.
Does Upper Chattahoochee River Campground have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Upper Chattahoochee River Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Upper Chattahoochee River Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Upper Chattahoochee River Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Camping: $12/site/night

Restrictions:

  • The maximum stay is 14 day. Pick out your site and pay the fee within 30 minutes after arrival. Quiet hours from 10pm-6am. No generators to be operating during quiet hours. No UTV's, ATV's, or Golf Carts to be unloaded or used in or around the campground or the Upper Chattahoochee River Road aka Wil

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-18.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.