An official website of the State of Georgia.
City of Atlanta Tract Horse Trails:
Clark Rd. and a short section of the Orange Trail (between Ram Rd. and Mill Rd.) are closed due to logging. All other sections remain open with signs posted.
Shoal Creek Bridge:
Closed to all traffic after GDOT deemed it unsafe. No foot, horse, or bicycle crossing allowed. Access the tract via North Gate Rd.
Etowah River Bridge (Shoal Creek Rd.):
Closed to all traffic. Hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders may cross the river using the Blue Trail from Railroad Rd. All other traffic must use North Gate Rd. or Shoal Creek Rd. from Hwy 53 via Sweetwater Church Rd. Horse riders and cyclists should continue parking at the Horse Camp area.
City of Atlanta Tract Roads:
All roads are closed. Trailhead parking lot remains open.
The Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area is located in Dawson County. This 25,500-acre property offers hunting for deer, bear, turkey, small game, dove, and waterfowl. There are five sections (tracts) of the WMA, including Wildcat Creek, Goethe, Burnt Mountain, Amicalola, and City of Atlanta. The DNR Wildlife Resources Division owns 15,000 acres of the forest, with the City of Atlanta owning the lower 10,000 acres.
Access includes several miles of improved road, marked improved trails, unnamed backcountry trails and old single-track roadbeds available for public use. The forest also offers hunting, fishing and trail access opportunities for handicap users of the property year-round.
All trails are closed all day during firearms deer hunts, except for use by hunters. Trails are closed prior to 10 am during archery deer season and turkey firearms season. Special rules apply to horse, bicycle, and camping use; rules are posted at trailhead, camping areas and WMA check station. Permits are required for horse, bicycle and camping use. On the City of Atlanta Tract, bicycles may only be used on approved horse trails. Permits must be completed and on person to be valid. Camping allowed in designated locations only. Roads on the City of Atlanta tract are closed to vehicles daily from 10 pm – 6 am, except for individuals legally camping, hunting or fishing on the area.
Horse Trails on the City of Atlanta Tract
Anyone who is horseback riding, bicycling, or camping on the Horse Trails on the City of Atlanta Tract must pay the $7/day per person fee. These users are restricted to the 28-mile trail system. Campers may only camp in the designated single campsites (marked on the Interactive Map). Hunters are exempt during the fall big game hunts. A $75 annual pass may also be obtained, please call the Region 2 Office for more information.
Accommodations & Facilities
- Trails
- Lake
- Picnic Sites
- Primitive Campsites
Activities
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Geocaching — not allowed during managed hunts or before 10 a.m. during turkey season
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Youth Hunts
- Any Person, age 16 and older, entering this WMA must have a valid GA license that allows hunting or fishing or a Lands Pass.
- Primitive Camping
- Wildlife Viewing
Nearby Properties
- Allatoona WMA
- Blue Ridge WMA
- Buck Shoals WMA
- Buford Trout Hatchery
- Chattahoochee WMA
- Chestatee WMA
- Chief Vann House State Historic Site
- Cohutta WMA
- Cooper's Creek WMA
- Coosawattee WMA
- Carter's Lake WMA
- Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site
- Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
- Hardman Farm State Historic Site
- Lake Russell WMA
- Lula Bridge WMA
- McGraw Ford WMA
- Rich Mountain WMA
- Rich Mountain WMA: Cartecay Tract
- Wilson Shoals WMA
Nearby Accommodations
MAKE AN OVERNIGHT RESERVATION- Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
- Don Carter State Park
- Fort Mountain State Park
- Smithgall Woods State Park
Camping and Bicycling Information
- Campers are required to camp in designated camping locations only. The entire horse camp parking will no longer be an approved designated camping area. Camping within this area will be restricted to groups issued a valid “Use Agreement” during scheduled events and those participating in the Annual Fall Big Game Hunts occurring on specific dates during October through December. All designated camping locations are shown on a posted map on the information board. These locations will be highlighted with white-painted trees and a 12”x12” brown and white sign showing a tent symbol.
- The camping fee will not be required the day prior to and during the check-in big game hunt dates occurring October–December. See the Hunting Regulations for dates.
- Only at the City of Atlanta Tract: Visitors utilizing recreational vehicles, travel trailers, tents, hammocks, bicycles and passenger vehicles and staying overnight are considered camping and are required to pay the $7 daily fee. Bicycles may be used on designated Horse Trails only.
