Brasstown Bald is the top of Georgia, 4,784 feet above sea level. From the observation deck the Forest Service says you can see four states (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina) and, on a clear day, the Atlanta skyline. You can drive almost all the way up, which makes it one of the easiest big views in the North Georgia mountains. The last stretch is still a real climb, though, unless you take the shuttle.
Hours and holiday closures
The Forest Service lists the visitor center as open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The last shuttle to the summit leaves at 4:30 p.m. The last one down is at 5.
- No shuttle runs between 12:30 and 1:10 p.m.
- All facilities close the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
FIND Outdoors, the nonprofit that runs the site with the Forest Service, notes that staffed services are seasonal and can change. Weather, ice or maintenance can also close the road. Check its site, or call the visitor center at (706) 896-4137, before you go in winter.
What it costs
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults 16 and older, regular hours | $10 (includes the shuttle and visitor center) |
| Adults 16 and older, after hours | $6 |
| Children 15 and younger | Free |
| Shuttle for pass holders | $4 per person |
| Annual pass | $40 per person |
| Friends and Family annual pass | $50 (pass holder plus two adults) |
Interagency Senior, Access and Military passes and the Golden Age and Golden Access passports are accepted for admission. Show the physical pass when you pay. The pass does not cover the shuttle, so pass holders who ride pay the $4.
After hours you pay with the yellow envelopes at the green fee tube next to the ticket booth, or online through FIND Outdoors. Advance tickets are not needed for an ordinary visit. Groups of more than 10 from a camp, tour company or similar organization must request a date at least 90 days ahead.
Shuttle or Summit Trail?
From the parking lot to the top is a 0.6-mile paved path, and the Forest Service calls it “very steep.” It is short, but it climbs hard the whole way. Plan on rest stops, and take care when the pavement is wet, icy or covered in leaves.
Take the shuttle if you have small children, knee or heart trouble, or a tight schedule. It is included in the regular $10 fee.
Walk if you want the exercise and the views through the trees on the way up. Walking down after a shuttle ride up is a good compromise.
Strollers are allowed on the trail at your own risk. FIND Outdoors warns that the grade makes them hard to control, especially downhill.
After hours, the paved trail is the only way up. Walking or biking on the shuttle road is not allowed at any time, and FIND Outdoors says violators will be fined. There are no lights on the trail or summit, so carry a headlamp.
At the top
- Observation deck with a 360-degree view.
- Visitor center with a natural and cultural history museum and a theater.
- Elevator from the lower level of the visitor center to the deck, meant for visitors who cannot manage stairs. Everyone else can use the 27-step staircase.
- Gift shop with snacks and drinks. There is no restaurant, so bring lunch if you plan to stay.
The old fire observation tower is closed to the public. FIND Outdoors suggests 1.5 to 2 hours for an unhurried visit.
Longer hikes from the parking lot
Visit Towns County lists three trailheads at the parking lot besides the Summit Trail. Distances below are one way, from the Forest Service trail guide:
- Jacks Knob Trail (4.5 miles): blue-blazed. It drops nearly 1,500 feet over about 2 miles to GA 180 at Jacks Gap, then climbs to the Appalachian Trail at Chattahoochee Gap. Many hikers go only part of the way and come back.
- Arkaquah Trail (5.5 miles): runs along a ridge to Track Rock Gap, mostly through the Brasstown Wilderness, with open spots that have views. It has no blazes and some steep pitches.
- Wagon Train Trail (about 5.8 miles): follows an old roadbed through the Brasstown Wilderness toward Young Harris. To reach it, start up the paved Summit Trail and turn right onto the dirt road.
All three are one-way trails, so either arrange a car at the other end or turn around. Every car in the lot pays the standard fee, hikers included.
Dogs, drones and other rules
- Dogs are welcome outdoors on a leash but are not allowed inside the visitor center, gift shop or restrooms.
- Drones are not allowed.
- Camping and overnight parking are not allowed, and the area is patrolled.
- Smoking and vaping are allowed only in designated parts of the parking area.
- Restrooms: the main restrooms are open during staffed hours. After hours there is a vault toilet in the parking lot.
- Water: the Forest Service lists no drinking water, so bring your own.
Getting there
From Blairsville, take US 19/129 south for 8 miles and turn left on GA 180. Go 9 miles to GA Spur 180, turn left, and climb 3 miles to the parking lot. The spur is steep and curvy.
Cell service is unreliable around the mountain, so download directions before you leave town. For a meal in town, see where to eat in Blairsville. FIND Outdoors says the nearest gas is 10 to 15 minutes away on Gainesville Highway in Blairsville.
When to go
- October: the summit is among the first places in North Georgia to change color. See our fall color guide.
- Winter: check for road closures first. Our snow guide covers the summit’s webcams and winter driving.
- Any season: the top is usually cooler and windier than the valleys, so bring a layer.
Make a day of it
Brasstown Bald sits on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a 40-mile loop that also passes Hogpen Gap and the turnoff for Anna Ruby Falls. Vogel State Park, on the other side of Blairsville, is a good lunch and lake stop. Our North Georgia hikes guide has more summit walks.
Sources and further reading
Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.
