Brasstown Bald
Directions Info
Directions & Arrival Information
Brasstown Bald Visitor Center & Recreation Area is located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest between Blairsville and Hiawassee, Georgia. Visitors reach the site by following steep, winding mountain roads and continuing along GA-180 Spur to the main parking area.
Weather and road conditions can change quickly at higher elevations, and cellular service may be inconsistent. Review your route, save directions, and check current site conditions before beginning your drive.
Physical Address
Brasstown Bald Visitor Center & Recreation Area
2941 Highway Spur 180
Hiawassee, GA 30546
Coordinates
Latitude: 34.8744
Longitude: -83.8110
Approaching Brasstown Bald
Brasstown Bald is reached from GA-180 by turning onto GA-180 Spur. The spur road climbs approximately 3 miles to the main parking area below the summit. Drivers should travel carefully, watch for changing weather, and use extra caution on the steep road during fog, rain, ice, snow, or heavy visitor traffic.
Visitors cannot drive directly to the summit observation deck. From the parking area, the summit is reached by taking the seasonal shuttle during operating hours or walking the steep, paved Summit Trail.
From Hiawassee, GA
Brasstown Bald is approximately 15 miles from Hiawassee. Allow additional travel time for mountain roads, traffic, and weather conditions. From Hiawassee, follow US-76 East and turn right onto GA-17 South/GA-75 South. Turn right onto Owl Creek Road, then turn right onto GA-180. Follow signs to GA-180 Spur and continue to the Brasstown Bald parking area.
From Blairsville, GA
Brasstown Bald is approximately 20 miles southeast of Blairsville. From Blairsville, follow US-19/US-129 South for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto GA-180 East and continue for approximately 9 miles. Turn left onto GA-180 Spur and follow the road approximately 3 miles to the visitor parking area.
From Helen, GA
From Helen, follow GA-17 North/GA-75 North through the mountains toward Hiawassee. Turn left onto GA-180 West, then follow signs to GA-180 Spur and the Brasstown Bald parking area. Allow additional time for the winding mountain route, particularly during weekends, holidays, fall color, and changing weather conditions.
Parking & Summit Access
The main parking area is located below the summit near the gift shop and general store, picnic area, shuttle boarding location, Summit Trail, and trailheads for longer hiking routes.
During staffed operating hours, visitors may take the shuttle or walk the approximately 0.6-mile paved Summit Trail to reach the observation deck and mountaintop visitor facilities. The Summit Trail is short but very steep.
Parking can become limited during weekends, holidays, special events, and peak fall color. Visitors should follow posted signs, park only in designated spaces, and follow staff directions when arriving.
GPS & Navigation
Most navigation apps will direct visitors to Brasstown Bald using the physical address or coordinates listed above. However, GPS directions may be inaccurate in the surrounding mountains or may identify the summit rather than the entrance to the parking area.
Once on GA-180, follow posted signs to GA-180 Spur and Brasstown Bald. Do not use unmarked forest roads or private roads as shortcuts.
Cellular service may vary throughout the region. Save directions and important visitor information offline before entering the mountain area.
Seasonal Operations Notice
Public access is generally available year-round, but visitor services, indoor facilities, and shuttle operations are seasonal. During the regular visitor-services season, staffed hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the final shuttle to the summit departing at 4:30 PM.
Brasstown Bald is closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Access may also be affected by fog, ice, snow, storms, fallen trees, road conditions, or other weather-related concerns.
Before traveling, check current hours, weather, road conditions, shuttle information, and site alerts. Visitors arriving outside staffed hours should expect no shuttle service, limited facilities, and little to no artificial lighting.