Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests reopens select trails and dispersed recreation areas

Effective immediately, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests has reopened select trails and dispersed recreation areas for public use.  The opening of these recreation sites is consistent with CDC guidance and state and local government orders.  Please remember to avoid congregating at trailheads and parking areas and refrain from gathering in groups of ten or more.  “Recreating on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is an activity that individuals and families look forward to experiencing every summer,” said Edward Hunter, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests’ acting forest supervisor. “We are working with local communities on phased plans to reopen additional sites and facilities as soon as this can be accomplished safely.”  Find maps and a list of affected recreation sites at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation.  Guidelines for health and safety, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are available at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html.   The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.