Brasstown Bald, Georgia's Highest Point
A shuttle ride or a steep paved walk to the top of the state, about 40 minutes from Helen
The short answer
4,784 ft
$10
shuttle included; 15 and under free
10 AM to 5 PM
last shuttle up at 4:30
~40 min
Standing on top of Brasstown Bald puts you higher than anywhere else in Georgia, with ridge after ridge of the Blue Ridge folding away in every direction. On a clear day the tallest buildings in Atlanta, about 85 miles away, show up on the horizon.
The mountain sits in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest where Towns and Union counties meet. The road gets you to a lot about half a mile from the top; from there you ride the shuttle or walk the rest. For the plants, animals and the story behind the name, see our Brasstown Bald ecology and history guide.
Hours, fees and rules
Checked with FIND Outdoors, October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Hours | Every day, 10 AM to 5 PM, when the visitor center is staffed (the season's end date isn't published; check before a late-fall trip) |
| Shuttle | Included with regular-hours admission. Last shuttle up at 4:30 PM; last one back down at 5 PM |
| Admission, regular hours | $10 per adult 16 and up, shuttle included |
| Admission, after hours | $6 per adult 16 and up |
| Children | 15 and under are free |
| Interagency pass holders | Shuttle is $4; an annual Brasstown Bald pass is $40 |
| Closed | The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day |
| Trails | Open 24/7 year-round; the road can close in ice or snow |
Questions: 706-896-2556. This is a Forest Service site, so the Georgia ParkPass doesn't cover it. Parking gets tight on fall-color weekends, so aim for a weekday or an early start.
Getting to the top
The shuttle is the easy way up, and it's already in your admission. If you'd rather earn the view, the paved Summit Trail runs 0.6 mile and is very steep, so treat it like a stair-climb with scenery: go slowly and bring water. Either way, the lookout tower at the top is the payoff, and the exhibit hall and mountaintop theater are worth a few minutes when the wind picks up.
| Trail | Length | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Summit Trail | 0.6 mile | Paved and very steep. The alternative to the shuttle. |
| Jack's Knob Trail | 4.5 miles | Listed by FIND Outdoors as a Brasstown Bald trail |
| Arkaquah Trail | 5.5 miles | A longer ridge hike |
| Wagon Train Trail | 7 miles | The longest of the four |
Trails are open around the clock. For a longer day out, the FIND Outdoors page lists the three longer trails.
Driving from Helen
Expect about 40 minutes from downtown Helen on mountain roads. The route follows part of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway (GA-75 and GA-180), which is a pretty drive on its own in October. The last stretch is Highway Spur 180. The spur can close in ice or snow, so check conditions in winter. The webcams on the lookout tower are linked from the FIND page, and they're worth a look before you go, because fog can swallow the view completely.
What to pair it with
Fall color
Color starts on the highest peaks first, so the summit is an early-season stop. Our fall color guide has the timing.
More big views
Other lookouts around Helen are covered in mountain views near Helen.
Bring a layer
The summit runs cooler and windier than Helen, and clouds can roll in fast.
Make a day of it
Pair the drive with the Georgia Mountain Coaster or a cabin stay in the hills.
