The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a vast expanse of natural beauty, encompassing over 866,000 acres across the northern part of the state. Established on July 9th, 1936 through consolidation efforts by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration to rehabilitate depleted lands and forests, it has since become an ecological haven.

This forested region boasts diverse ecosystems ranging from rolling hills to rushing rivers like its namesake waterways-the Chattahoochee and Oconee Rivers-which are central features for recreation and wildlife habitat. The area offers myriad recreational activities including hiking along more than 850 miles of trails (such as parts of the famous Appalachian Trail), camping under starlit skies at numerous sites throughout both national forests or fishing in pristine streams teeming with trout.

Visitors can explore scenic drives such as Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway which winds through picturesque mountain landscapes offering breathtaking vistas especially during autumn foliage season when leaves turn vibrant hues. With multiple wilderness areas designated within its boundaries-like Cohutta Wilderness being one among them-it serves not only as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts but also plays critical roles in conservation efforts preserving southern Appalachian biodiversity.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia spans across the rolling hills of the southern Appalachian Mountains, including parts of both the Blue Ridge and Piedmont regions.

The forest is characterized by its lush landscapes that feature a diverse mix of deciduous hardwoods like oaks and hickories as well as coniferous trees such as pines.

It encompasses over 866,000 acres divided into multiple districts with elevations ranging from around 1,200 feet to nearly 4,700 feet at Brasstown Bald-the state's highest point.

This area boasts an intricate network of rivers and streams with the prominent Chattahoochee River winding through it before flowing southward toward Atlanta; this river system provides vital water resources for much of northern Georgia while also offering recreational activities like fishing and boating.

Dotted with scenic vistas, cascading waterfalls (such as those found near Helen), hiking trails (including sections of the famous Appalachian Trail), campgrounds, wildlife habitats supporting species such as black bears and white-tailed deer-this national forest.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia has a long history, originally inhabited by Native American tribes and later cleared for agriculture by European settlers. In 1911, the Weeks Act facilitated the purchase of private lands to establish national forests in eastern states for preservation and watershed protection. The first tract purchased eventually became part of what is now known as the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

By 1936, two separate national forests were named: one after the Chattahoochee River and another near Oconee due to its proximity to that river system; these would be administratively combined into one forest covering parts of northern and central Georgia. Prior owners included individual farmers and timber companies who logged extensively before federal acquisition shifted focus towards conservation practices.

Today's visitors can find historical remnants like old homesteads or logging camps along trails within this protected area managed jointly between both sections under U.S.D.A.'s Forest Service oversight since their inception. This reflects an ongoing commitment toward sustainable management over previous exploitation with diverse features contributing to its overall value which continues evolving through shared stewardship responsibilities among various stakeholders.