BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Black Rock Mountain State Park, named for its sheer cliffs of dark-colored biotite gneiss, encompasses some of the most outstanding country in Georgia?s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located astride the Eastern Continental Divide at an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is the highest state park in Georgia. Numerous scenic overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas of the Southern Appalachians, and several hiking trails lead visitors past wildflowers, cascading streams, small waterfalls and lush forests. The summit visitor center and picnic tables are popular with travelers in northeast Georgia.
Black Rock Mountain State Park is located near Clarkesville
JAMES E. EDMOND TRAIL (Backcountry)7.2 mile loop. Rated difficult to strenuous.
The 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail, named in honor of one of the park?s first rangers, offers both day hiking and backpack camping. This trail is quite steep in a number of places and is rated as ?moderate to strenuous.? In laurel-filled coves, the trail follows cascading streams with small waterfalls. In the northernmost section of the park, the trail climbs to the summit of Lookoff Mountain and offers a stunning vista of Wolffork Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
Backcountry Camping by Permit Only. Camping allowed on four designated campsites. See map for exact locations. Advance reservations required. Call 1-800-864-7275.
BLACK ROCK LAKE TRAIL.85 mile loop. Rated easy.
The loop around scenic Black Rock Lake is the newest segment in the park?s trail system. 17-acre Black Rock Lake is unspoiled by development and is rimmed by forests of white pine and yellow poplar. The gently rolling .85-mile loop is rated ?easy? and is perfectly suited for beginners. Wooden bridges cross Taylor Creek and Greasy Creek, the two cascading streams that feed Black Rock Lake, and an 80-foot bridge spans Cricket Cove on the lake?s southwest corner. A wheelchair-accessible pier adjacent to Turtle Rock allows anglers a chance to fish for bass, bream, catfish, yellow perch, and rainbow trout. In addition, several tables along shady Taylor Creek offer the perfect location for a creek-side picnic.
ADA HI-FALLS TRAIL.25 mile one way. Rated moderate to difficult.
The Ada-hi Falls Trail provides a delightful but challenging walk into an outstanding example of a moist, north-slope Appalachian cove. The trail features mature hardwoods, lichen-covered rocks, a variety of ferns and wildflowers, and a dense thicket of rhododendron. At the trail?s end is the observation platform for noisy Ada-hi Falls, a small cascade typical of those found at higher elevations throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains.
TENNESSEE ROCK TRAIL2.2 mile loop. Rated moderate to difficult.
The yellow-blazed 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail, winding its way through some of the highest and lushest forests, is the park?s most popular hiking trail. Rated by experienced hikers as ?easy to moderate,? the trail offers most visitors a perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with the area?s rich woodlands and vistas, that on clear days span over 80 miles into the neighboring states of both North and South Carolina, as well as Tennessee.
Located on Black Rock Mountain Parkway, 3 miles north of Clayton off U.S. Hwy. 441. Look for brown directional signs in Mountain City.
We stay in one of the cabins they have, and we have been visiting the park since the early 90;s on picnic;s we now have grandchildren and they love the park and hiking trails and lets not forget the cookouts at night the rangers are so very kind.
My friend and I camped at the park in October 09 and it was great. The leaves were beautiful and the park was awesome. Clean, very scenic and the people there were very nice. We will definitely be back.
Black rock mountain state park is a nice getawy from the heat. It is typically 20 degrees cooler than the middle georgia area. It was 75 degrees @ 2:30 pm on 7/26/08. The park is on top of a mountain and has a 2 mile steep climb to get there. The road is steep with curves so just take your time. The park is very clean with showers. The sites have elec and water. The sites are fairly close together. There are several lookout points with benches. It is a nice place to go to get away from the heat and just relax. The town is a few miles away with anything you may have forgotten. Plenty of resturants and a walmart. 
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