Are dogs allowed on Bartram Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Bartram Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Bartram Trail?

No, Bartram Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Bartram Trail?

Bartram Trail is rated expert. It is 115.0 miles long with 10,715 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

What is the best season to hike Bartram Trail?

Bartram Trail is best hiked in spring and fall. Conditions vary year to year — check the trail status and weather forecast before your visit.

National Recreation TrailBT

Bartram Trail

Route only

Route markers1
Water & camping17
Views1

Legacy import — verify before navigating

Length: 115 mi
Thru-hike: 6–10 days
Elev. gain: —
States: 2

About the route

The Bartram Trail follows the approximate route of 18th-century naturalist William Bartram's southern journey, winding roughly 115 miles through the North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains. Its high point is Wayah Bald (5,385 ft), and it crosses the Appalachian Trail near its northern terminus at Cheoah Bald.

Termini

Terminus A

Russell Bridge at GA Highway 28 (Chattooga River)

34.9195, -83.1687

Terminus B

Cheoah Bald, North Carolina

35.3256, -83.6807

Verified waypoints

19 total · filter on the map above

Categories you've hidden on the map are collapsed here too.

Route markers1

Russell Bridge / Chattooga River (Southern Terminus) · Trailhead
Southern terminus at the Chattooga River, GA.
Source ↗ From the official trail guide

Water & camping17

Blue Valley Dispersed Camping · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Willis Knob Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Windy Sky RV & Cabin Rentals · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Cross Creek Campground & Cabins · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Long Bottom Ford · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Sarah's Creek Campground · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Mountain Rest Mountain Top · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Black Rock Mountain State Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Willow Valley RV Resort · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Whetstone Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Woodall Shoals · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Big Bend · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Burrells Ford · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Falls Creek · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
River Vista RV Park · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route
Randy’s Horse Camp · Campsite
Verified campground near the route.
Imported route

Cheoah Bald (Northern Terminus) · Summit
Northern terminus on Cheoah Bald, NC — shared with the Appalachian Trail.
Source ↗ From the official trail guide

What we don't yet have

We deliberately do not display water sources, resupply towns, shuttle services, or trail-side businesses on this page. Those change every season and an out-of-date pin can be a safety issue, especially on the high-desert and alpine sections of long trails. Use the trail association's published guide, FarOut, or Guthook for that level of detail; verify with rangers before relying on any cached source.

Official sources

Last verified by us: 2026-05-14

Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Reconfirm alerts, permits, and closures with the agency before you go.

Best seasons

springfall

States traversed

GANC

Editor's note

OSM parent relation not available; geometry will need manual GPX import.