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Ocmulgee River Trail, Oconee National Forest

The Ocmulgee River Trail runs along the river about five miles from the Wise Creek trail to the White Creek trail at Georgia Highway 83. The section from Wise Creek Trail to the Ocmulgee Flats hunt camp is mixed hardwood forest. It is generally easy walking with a few slippery spots. The section of the trail between Georgia Highway 83 and Ocmulgee Flats hunt camp can be quite muddy quite a bit of the year.
For a modest loop of about 5 miles, start at Ocmulgee Flats, follow the trail south, then turn northeast on Highway 83 and return via Forest Road 1099. Highway 83 has a fair amount of traffic, but it has good shoulders to hike on. Forest Service Road 1099 is quite suitable for hiking, but you will want sturdy shoes because the gravel is rather coarse.

Access

Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trailhead

Information on this trailhead is on the Forest Service web site. Suggest you open the web site in a separate window, as you will need the following instructions:

Ocmulgee Flats Hunt Camp

From Interstate 75, take Georgia Route 83 north 14.5 miles. The first left hand turn past the Ocmulgee River is Forest Road 1099. Take that about one mile to the Ocmulgee Flats Hunt Camp. The hunt camp is a clearing on the left hand side of the road, and the trail begins behind the hunt camp.

From Monticello, Forest Road 1099 is about 13 miles south on State Route 83. (Perhaps the best way to find it is to take State Route 83 south to the Ocmulgee River bridge, and then make a U turn.) Turn north on Forest Road 1099 and go about 1 mile to the Ocmulgee Flats Hunt Camp. The trail begins behind the hunt camp.

Highway 83

This trailhead is a very small gravel parking area where the trail intersects with Georgia Highway 83 and the White Creek trail. The trailhead is about 3/4 mile northeast of the Bernier boat ramp at the Ocmulgee River.

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.

Point of Contact

Oconee Ranger Station

References

See Oconee National Forest page.
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.
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David Farrier, farrier@iglou.com

Ocmulgee River trail last spot checked February 2011.
Last edited 19 Feb 2012.