Vogel State Park sits at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is one of the most popular parks in the state, especially in October, and it is about an hour from Ellijay by way of Blairsville or Suches. For a sit-down meal before or after, see where to eat in Blairsville.

Current conditions (October 2026)

Georgia State Parks reports that Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs and maintenance. The Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and Trahlyta Falls are closed while the work continues. The park says cabins, campsites and other facilities remain open. Check the park’s page for updates before you go; the lake is the centerpiece of most photos of Vogel, and it will look very different until it refills.

History

Vogel was established in 1931 and is the second-oldest state park in Georgia. Many of its buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and a museum in the park tells the story of the “CCC Boys.” The park sits at about 2,500 feet, surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Trails

  • Bear Hair Gap loop: a 4-mile loop that climbs to a view over the valley. This is the park’s most popular hike and stays open during the lake work.
  • Coosa Backcountry Trail: 13 miles with serious elevation change, for experienced hikers.
  • Lake loop and Trahlyta Falls: usually an easy walk around the 22-acre lake to a small waterfall. Closed while the lake is drained.

South of the park on US-129, the drive climbs through Neel Gap below Blood Mountain.

Staying overnight

Georgia State Parks lists 34 cottages, 90 tent, trailer and RV campsites, 18 walk-in campsites and one pioneer campground on 242 acres. Fall weekends book far ahead. If Vogel is full, our camping near Helen guide covers Unicoi and the Forest Service campgrounds about 45 minutes to an hour away. Reservations are made through Georgia State Parks at 1-800-864-7275 or online.

Fees and rules

Parking is $10 per vehicle per day, or covered by the $70 annual ParkPass. See our ParkPass guide for how that works. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and only some cabins are dog-friendly; our guide to North Georgia with dogs has the details.

When to go

The drive through Neel Gap is one of the prettier fall routes in the state, and Vogel is a classic leaf-peeping stop. Pair it with Brasstown Bald and Helen on the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, or with a stop at Black Rock Mountain farther east. Our fall color guide explains when the leaves usually peak.

For a short waterfall walk just outside the park, see our guide to Helton Creek Falls, about 2 miles up Helton Creek Road.

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.