Scenic Drives
It should go without saying that many of the routes through the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests reveal the scenic beauty of these special lands. Whether you're on a high speed highway or a two-lane forest road; whether you're in the hill country of the Piedmont or the mountains of north Georgia, you'll see some great scenery along the way.
But there are those special routes that we recognize. Scenic byways draws attention to outstanding scenery on national forests and provides opportunities for people to see well managed and changing forest landscapes.
The lands through which the byways pass offer aesthetic, cultural, and historical values. Those of you who venture out onto our scenic byways will have memorable experiences as you gain access to wildlife and their habitat, history, scenic vistas, geology, and streams, lakes, and waterfalls.
Fall Colors in Georgia
How spectacular will the colors be?
Due to a drier summer, much of the Appalachian Mountains will potentially have spectacular fall color. In other words, drier soils will likely result in more intense red fall color. Cool morning temperatures throughout September will also help fall colors develop. Great fall colors will keep longer if October is also clear, dry and cool.
As usual, colors will cascade down the mountains starting at the highest peaks. From those lofty ridges, color will eventually work down into the valleys, with ‘peak’ colors dropping approximately 1,000 feet in elevation every week.
Where can I see them?
- Hiking: Hiking the short .02 miles to Helton Creek Falls south of Blairsville is a great way to see high elevation colors and an 80 foot water fall too.
- Driving: Easy driving tours are also readily available through the mountains in the fall. Top suggestions include:
- Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway
- U.S. Highway 76 between Blairsville and Clayton
- State Highway 197 between Clarksville and U.S. Highway 76.
Fall Color Viewing Tips?
Be prepared to be outdoors in cool temperatures and rapidly changing conditions. Always remember safety first and bring:
- Hat and a sweater or jacket
- Good walking shoes
- Water
- Snacks or a picnic lunch
Why do leaves change color anyway?
Leaves turn green each spring as they use pigments (chlorophyll, xanthophyll, and carotenoids) to harness the sun’s energy. The chlorophyll absorbs red and blue wavelengths but not the green ones that are reflected back to our eyes. In other words, the other ‘fall’ colors are always there, they are just hiding underneath the chlorophyll!
As temperatures cool and days get shorter, leaves on deciduous trees stop producing new chlorophyll, and the familiar green color breaks down to reveal the other pigments that have been masked all season. Chlorophyll is expensive to make (for the tree); so when there isn't enough light to make it worth expending energy on, the green fades and the colors beneath show.
Before you take in the beauty of our national forests, make sure you download the Forest Service’s mobile app. It will help you get to where you want to go and it’s all in the palm of your hand! The app is available through both Apple App Store and Google Play.
View the Interactive Visitor Map for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
You can also visit us on social media and see what we upload there as the seasons change!
Where can I see them?
- Hiking: Hiking is one of the best ways to see fall colors, with several day hike trails available across the national forest. A favorite early in the season is the short .02 miles to Helton Creek Falls south of Blairsville is a great way to see high elevation colors and an 80 foot water fall too.
- Driving: Easy driving tours are also readily available through the mountains in the fall. Top suggestions include:
- Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway
- U.S. Highway 76 between Blairsville and Clayton
- State Highway 197 between Clarksville and U.S. Highway 76
- Recreation.gov - Make reservations and plan your outdoors trip.
Learn more about fall color!
- Arbor Day Foundation – Make your world greener.
- Untamed Science – Learn about nature the fun way.
- U.S. National Arboretum – A natural treasure in Washington, D.C.
- Fall Color Pictures Virginia Tech
- Georgia Forestry Commission fall color transitions
- GAStateParks updates
- Fall Colors Arriving - view from space!
Search for Scenic Drives Opportunities
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