Locust Stake OHV Trail System
The Locust Stake OHV Trail System in the Chattahoochee National Forest spans Stephens and Habersham counties in the northeastern Georgia Blue Ridge, near the town of Toccoa on the Tugaloo River: a scenic corner of the state defined by its waterfalls, old railroad infrastructure, and the Tallulah Gorge country to the north. The system's historic appeal includes a landmark feature: trail access near a preserved historic train trestle that provides a tangible connection to the railroad-era logging that shaped this landscape in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As of late 2024, the system was in partial operation following storm damage and maintenance closures, approximately 7 miles of trail on the Trestle Loop were operational following reopening in November 2024, while the Moon Walk and several other sections remain closed. Motorcycles and ATVs in the standard USFS sub-50-inch width class are the primary permitted vehicles. Day passes are $5/operator via Recreation.gov; conditions and closure information should be confirmed with the Tallulah Ranger District (706-754-6221) before making a trip, as trail status is actively changing during the recovery period. Toccoa and Clarkesville are the nearest communities for fuel and services. The system's position near the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River corridor and the Lake Hartwell recreation area makes this a viable component of a multi-destination northeast Georgia recreation visit.