Keown Falls Trail
Mar 20th, 2009 by Admin 1
Keown Falls Trail - Chatahoochee National Forest
Armuchee Ranger District
Short Description: A picturesque loop trail that ascends to a series of waterfalls before dropping back down through a forested area before returning to parking. The trail also connects to the John’s Mountain Loop Trail about half way at its highest point where there is an observation deck overlooking the falls.
Nearest Town: Villanow, Georgia
County: Walker
Trailhead Location: Trailhead is at the end of FS 702 off of Pocket Road. You can also access this trail by parking at John’s mountain overlook and taking the trail left of parking lot directly down to Keown Falls observation deck.This adds aprrox. 1 mile to the hike.
Trail Length: 1.8-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Marker: Clearly marked along the trail as well as direction signs at all main intersections.
Parking Fee: No Fee
Directions: From I75, take exit 320 towards LaFayette. Take a left on Furnace Creek Road. Take a left on Pocket Rd. (Scenic By-Way) Take a right onto FS 208 and head up the 2 mile dirt road to the John’s Mountain Overlook or continue briefly on Pocket Rd. and take right on FS 702 and follow short road to trailhead.
The Keown Falls Trail is a short, scenic 1.8-mile loop trail located in the Northwestern corner of Georgia. One of many great hikes in the Chattahoochee National Forest, this one is in the John’s Mountain area near Villanow, Ga. near The Pocket Campground. This particular trail gets you right up close to several falls near the top of the loop and in some cases you are able to get under and behind the falls which makes it nice for cooling off in the Spring or Summer months.
We have had our share of rain recently so the waterfall flow levels are higher now than they have been while hiking hear in the past. It made it really nice for my hike hear last Sunday.
We have plenty of beautiful waterfalls in Georgia. Some you can get close to and some are viewed primarily from observation decks. This trail leads you right along the bottom of all of them and the terrain is rocky and wet so you will want to be careful but the hike is certainly worth the trek.
If you are just interested in seeing the falls but not hiking the entire trail you can do so easily by parking at the end of 702 and following the short, moderate to strenuous trail up to the observation deck.
