Chattooga River Trail

The Chattooga River Trail is a long-distance footpath running along the Georgia/South Carolina border and tracking the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River corridor. Expect rugged river-country travel built around the river’s bends and forested terrain, with backcountry camping commonly done in the corridor.

For planning scale: the trail is mapped as about 15–15.5 miles for the section shown, and it functions as a named route that connects into the Bartram Trail network.

A commonly used southern access is the Russell Bridge area on GA 28 (S.C./GA border). The trail begins there as a yellow-blazed route, then moves away from and back toward the river several times as it follows side drainages and bends.

On the river-adjacent tread, expect multiple short crossings and bridge segments over small tributaries/branches (including a wooden bridge over Holden Branch noted along the route description). The route also includes a junction where the Bartram Trail veers away while the Chattooga River Trail continues.

In the mapped corridor, there are also reference points for day-hike planning along the way: Burrells Ford Campground and Ellicott Rock are described as major anchors on the longer route. The corridor’s camping rules emphasize distance from the river/tributaries and from Earl’s Ford or Sandy Ford roads, with Leave No Trace strongly encouraged in this protected river area.

Trail conditions can be impacted by downed trees in this river corridor; use caution and be prepared for route obstacles that may require patience and careful navigation.

More information: Map, Visitor information, Hike Along the Chattooga Trail