Oconee National Forest
The Oconee National Forest is roughly half way between Macon and Athens, Georgia. The government established the forest to reclaim farm land ruined by erosion, and although pine trees now stabilize the soil, you can still see some of the erosion gullies. Although we are concentrating on hiking and camping opportunities, the region includes several large artificial lakes suitable for motor boats.
Note: Like all National Forests, hiking and camping are allowed anywhere except where specifically prohibited. However, many parcels of land in the area are not part of the National Forest. Please respect the private landowners' rights.
Caution: Hunting is also allowed anywhere in the National Forest, except where specifically prohibited. We recommend you stay away from active hunting areas, unless you are familiar with the hazards and appropriate precautions. Hunting is prohibited in certain popular recreation areas. Also, the whole National Forest is free of hunting certain parts of the year. Contact the ranger station for details.
Some of these sites are somewhat hard to find, so we recommend a map. Dyar
Pasture and quite a few of the trails are marked on the general Oconee
National Forest map. However, most trails are easier to find using both the
trail brochure and the Forest map. Buy them at the ranger station or online from the Forest Service. Another possibility, the ranger station may have maps for specific trails they can fax to you.
Point of Contact
Oconee Ranger District
1199 Madison Road
Eatonton GA 31024
(706)485-3180
fax (706)485-7141
The ranger station is located on US Highway 129/441, 6.4 miles north of the city of Eatonton. While you are there, you might want to check out the Rock Eagle effigy, a prehistoric relic and public picnic area just 0.3 miles further north.
References
- Useful brochure with maps:
Trails of the Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forests
Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forest
Reprinted 1998?
- Useful brochure with maps:
Dyar Pasture a special place for wildlife, Forestry Report R8-FR
39
Forest Service Southern Region
September 1993
- General map:
Oconee National Forest, R8-RG 56
Forest Service Southern Region
October 1998
- The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest also maintains a web site, but nearly all the
information is on the Chattahoochee portion in north Georgia.
This page is just a starting point. Once you decide which sites you might visit, we strongly recommend you contact the owner or manager for the latest information on features, access, and safety.
Return to Middle Georgia Outdoors
David Farrier, farrier@iglou.com
Last edited 29 October 2005.