Overview
The Coosa Bald Scenic area and Blood Mountain Wilderness are some of the areas surrounding Vogel State Park. The park is situated in the shadow of Blood Mountain in the heart of Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest and is Georgia's second oldest state park. The Coosa Bald Scenic Area is located on the northern side of GA 180 while the area to south is the Blood Mountain Wilderness Area.
The centerpiece of the park is 20-acre Lake Trahlyta, created when the Civilian Conservation Corps dammed Wolf Creek and named for a Cherokee maiden who is buried a few miles from the park at Stonepile Gap. At 2,500 feet elevation the park maintains a cool evening temperature even in the dog days of summer, making this a great stop for camping.
Blood Mountain is the highest peak on Georgia's portion of the Appalachian Trail and the state's sixth highest mountain. Congress designated the Blood Mountain Wilderness Area in 1991 and it now has a total of 7,800 acres. The Wilderness is the first designated wilderness area along the Appalachian Trail as the hiker heads north toward Maine.
Legends tell of the bloody battles between Creek and Cherokee Indians atop Blood Mountain itself as the origin of the mountain's name. Other theories trace the name to red lichen or Catawba rhododendron growing on the rocky summit.
At 4,461 feet, it overlooks an area rich in streams, hiking trails, and scenic recreation spots. It has a boulder field, northern hardwoods and large buckeyes and provides an example of how tulip poplar takes over following too-thorough logging of cove hardwood forests. Deer, grouse, wild turkeys and squirrels live here in abundance with lesser numbers of black bear and raccoons. On the boundary you'll find the Desoto Falls Scenic Area with its high vista points and waterfalls. Many old logging roads crisscross the area. Just across US 129 lies the Raven Cliffs Wilderness.
Hikers usually travel the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the area along the crest of the Blue Ridge for 10.75 miles. On the AT on Blood Mountain a rock shelter stands, and of this trail the USFS says: " . . . the most heavily used portion of the AT in Georgia." The Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail crosses part of the area and several other forest service pathways provide access to more remote regions.
Hiking Trails at Vogel State Park
BEAR HAIR TRAIL - This 3.6-mile orange-blazed loop trail is ideal for family hikes. It is of moderate difficulty, beginning and ending in Vogel State Park. Most of the trail is in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
COOSA BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL - 12.5-mile loop. This strenuous trail is marked with yellow blazes and signs and for the most part is easy to follow. It fords streams on its lower part and traverses the high Duncan Ridge, including Coosa Bald at over 4,000 feet. It is recommended that hikers take more than one day to hike the entire route, although it can be done in one long day, particularly during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer. A permit is required and is available free, together with a trail map, at the Vogel State Park Visitor Center.
BYRON HERBERT REECE NON-GAME NATURE TRAIL - An easy, 1-mile loop interpretive trail.
DUNCAN RIDGE TRAIL - 20.4 miles and strenuous. On this blue-blazed trail, one can traverse the longest contiguous ridgeline leading off the main Blue Ridge. The trail's eastern terminus is to the west of Blood Mountain at Slaughter Gap, then crosses northwest through Wolfpen Gap and Coosa Bald, then goes westward to Mulky Gap and intersects with the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
Directions:
From Dahlonega, drive 25 miles north on US 19/129. From Blairsville, drive 11 miles south on US 19/129. Turn right at the Vogel State Park entrance;get the required permit at the Vogel Visitor Center.
Facilities: 233 Acres, 85 Tent, Trailer, RV Sites, 18 Walk-in Sites, 35 Cottages, 20-Acre Lake, Swimming Beach, CCC Museum, General Store, 4 Picnic Shelters, Pioneer Campground, Primitive Campsites
Activities: Hiking and Backpacking 17 miles of trails, Appalachian Trail nearby, Fishing, Swimming, Pedal Boat Rental (seasonal), Miniature Golf
Park Hours: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Vogel State Park: Reservations (800) 864-7275 From Atlanta (770) 389-7275
Office (706) 745-2628
Address: Vogel State Park, Blairsville, Georgia,30512
