Where is Brasstown Bald Located?

Brasstown Bald is located in Northeast Georgia. The closest cities are Hiawassee, Blairsville, and Helen.

It is in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. If you are planning a trip to visit Brasstown Bald, we recommend staying in one of these cities since it is a short drive from them. They are filled with other fun activities to enjoy alongside visiting Brasstown Bald.

Why Should I Visit Brasstown Bald?

Brasstown Bald is a beautiful and unique place to visit because it is the highest point in Georgia!

Since it is Georgia’s highest peak, it is one of the most beautiful places we have visited in Georgia. It has great views all around. We visited a few years ago on a weekend getaway, and the scenery was breathtaking. We enjoyed hiking up to the top of the mountain, exploring the history museum, finding fun souvenirs, and taking in the mountains for as far as we could see.

You should visit Brasstown Bald so that you can say you’ve been to the highest point in the state of Georgia.

You will enjoy the views at the top of Brasstown Bald while learning some local history along with it.

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Information About Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald is the tallest mountain in Georgia, rising 4,784 feet above sea level. At the park, they have several hiking trails, including the Brasstown Bald summit trail which is the one that goes straight to the summit (from the parking lot). This is the trail that we hiked to get to the top.

We have done a lot of hiking through the years, but this was a very steep trail… whew. It was worth it, though.

If you are unable to hike, there is also a shuttle service that can drive you along a paved trail from the parking area to the viewing platform at the top of the mountain.

There is a marker that gives information about the name Brasstown Bald. It can be found at the intersection of Unicoi Turnpike and Georgia Route 180 (information found at Georgia Historical Society)

The marker reads: “The high, rounded peak, Brasstown Bald or Mt. Enotah, is the highest mountain in Georgia, 4,748 ft. Its Indian name, Itseyi, means “a place of fresh green,” referring to its grassy, instead of timbered, summit. Early white settlers mistook the Indian name for a similar one meaning brass. According to Cherokee legend, there was once a great flood and all men died except a few Cherokee families who landed on top of Brasstown Bald in a giant canoe. The Great Spirit killed all the trees on top of the mountain so the survivors could plant crops and live until the floods subsided.”

If you are unable to hike, there is also a shuttle service that can drive you along a paved trail from the parking area to the viewing platform at the top of the mountain.

Once you are at the top of the mountain, it is breathtaking. From the observation deck, you can see the surrounding mountains. You can also see other parts of Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and the Atlanta skyline if it is a clear day.

There are small maps all around the observation deck that show what you’re looking at. I thought this was a great touch because it put into perspective how far out you were able to see.

At the observation tower, there was a short film that talked about Brasstown Bald. The video talks about the different seasons and how the mountain and its’ environment are impacted during each season.

It also discusses how the weather can be more extreme on the mountain (especially during inclement weather), and that the extreme weather is what has been sculpting the mountain for thousands of years.

It gave a good overview of the mountain’s history and what the mountain endures throughout the year.

There is also a small museum with informational displays that give you a closer look at the different wildlife & plants that inhabit the mountain. It also included information about the mountain’s history which included the Indians, what the mountain meant to them, and what the cultural significance of the mountain was to them.

One thing that blew our minds was the temperature difference! At the time we visited, there was a heat wave going on in Georgia. When we got to the top of the mountain, it was about 10 degrees cooler than what we were experiencing at home. It was interesting to see what high elevation can do to the temperature.

Before leaving Brasstown Bald, don’t forget to check out the gift shop, visitor’s center, and general store. Everyone needs a fun souvenir or a nice homemade item!

There are also some picnic areas around the parking lot if you want to enjoy the beautiful weather in the North Georgia mountains and bring your lunch. It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your family or friends.

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How to Prepare for My Trip to Brasstown Bald?

If you are planning a visit to Brasstown Bald, they are open Thursday to Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last shuttle bus to the summit is at 4:30 pm. Be sure to plan accordingly since they are not open daily.

There is an entrance fee of $8/person, Children under 15 get in for free. This fee includes the shuttle if needed.

There are restrooms on-site at the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center.

Be sure to check the weather forecast before heading to Brasstown Bald. It may be closed during inclement weather. Rain and cloudiness may also obstruct your view at the summit of Brasstown Bald. If possible, we recommend visiting on a pretty, sunny day.

More Hiking Options

If you are interested in more hiking, there are a few other trails you can access from Brasstown Bald.

1. Arkaquah Trail is a 5.5-mile trail and ends at Track Rock Gap.

2. Jacks Knob Foot Trail is 4.5 miles long and leads to the Appalachian Trail.

3. Wagon Train Foot Trail is 5.8 miles and leads to Wagon Train Road which ends at Young Harris College.

These are great options if you love to hike and enjoy time in nature. They are great for doing a thru-hike or even just a short hike to spend more time outdoors.

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If you are looking for a trip idea with beautiful views, hiking, and history then we highly recommend visiting Brasstown Bald. It’s great for the whole family to enjoy. It was nothing short of what we hoped it would be like and are glad to mark it off of our Georgia bucket list. We would love to know what you loved about visiting Brasstown Bald.

If you have any travel recommendations, let us know in the comments! 

Until next time,

The Traveling Tylers