Black Rock Mountain State Park
Georgia's highest state park: 3,640 feet, overlooks you can reach from the parking lot, and a 17-acre lake.
The short answer
3,640 ft
Up to 80 mi
$10
~70 min
37 miles
Why go: the view from the road
Eighty miles without a hike
The park straddles the Eastern Continental Divide, and the mountaintop overlooks look out over the Appalachian forest in every direction. Georgia State Parks says the views reach up to 80 miles, and on a clear day you can pick out ridges in four states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. A summit visitor center and gift shop sits near the top.
Go in the morning for the clearest air. At this elevation it's noticeably cooler than Helen, so bring a jacket even in summer. Black Rock is also one of the first places in Georgia to show fall color; see our fall color guide for timing.
Trails
About 11 miles of hiking
The park has about 11 miles of trails. These are the ones most visitors use.
| Trail | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Rock Trail | 2.2 miles | The classic hike, climbing to an exposed rock outcrop with wide views. |
| Black Rock Lake Trail | 0.85 mile | An easy walk around the park's 17-acre lake. |
| James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail | 7.2 miles | The long one, with four backcountry campsites along the route. |
| Ada-Hi Falls Trail | 0.25 mile | Closed for stair repair as of October 2026. Check the park page before you go. |
| Norma Campbell Cove Trail | 200 yards | A very short walk. |
Trail lengths are from the park's trail list as reported by Wikipedia; the park office can confirm current conditions at 706-746-2141.
Cottages and camping
Sleep above the clouds
Waking up at 3,640 feet means cool nights even in July. Georgia State Parks lists these places to stay.
| Type | How many | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cottages | 10 | Rental cottages; reserve at 800-864-7275 or gastateparks.org. |
| Tent, trailer and RV sites | 44 | Electric hookups. |
| Walk-in tent sites | 12 | Bear boxes provided. |
| Backcountry sites | 4 | Along the Edmonds Trail; bear boxes provided. |
| Pioneer campground | 1 | Primitive pioneer camping. |
A little history
The park was established in 1952 on about 1,000 acres. John V. Arrendale, a Rabun County native, started assembling the land in 1938 with a 70-acre purchase, and later additions brought it to today's 1,743 acres. On April 27, 2011, an EF-2 tornado cut through the park and uprooted thousands of trees, with no injuries reported.
Tips for the day
Pair it with Tallulah Gorge
The gorge is about 35 minutes from Black Rock. Black Rock gives you height; the gorge gives you depth. Our Tallulah Gorge guide covers the release-day schedule.
Go early on fall weekends
Lots fill when the color peaks. Georgia State Parks encourages weekday visits during Leaf Watch.
Layer up
Expect cooler, windier weather than in the valleys.
Stay close for the sunset
The park is open until 10 PM, so you can catch evening light and still drive out.
Keep planning
