GAINESVILLE, Ga. (December 2, 2020) – The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily closing  Mulky Gap Road (FS Road 4) on the Blue Ridge Ranger District to allow road maintenance work between Mulky Gap and Duncan Ridge Road. Work is scheduled to begin Dec. 7, 2020, and be complete on Dec. 23. The road will be open to public use on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of each week during the construction period.

Our highest priorities are visitor and employee safety. Repairs to the road are necessary for public safety after storms led to landslides and hazardous conditions. The Forest Service is advising visitors to avoid this road during road maintenance work for personal safety and the safety of workers. Mulky Gap road, located on the Blue Ridge Ranger District, provides access to Cooper Creek Recreation Area and Mulky Campground, located in Union County, Ga. The temporary road closure will extend to the north from the campground up to the gap where the road is crossed by the Duncan Ridge Trail.

Sustainable roads, trails and facilities are essential for the management, protection, public use and enjoyment of 193 million acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands, as well for meeting the Forest Service’s goal of managing the healthy forests and watersheds. This infrastructure is maintained by engineers to provide public access to national forests, as well as agency access for natural resources and fire management. Challenges include accessibility and sustainability of this infrastructure. Managing a national forest like the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest requires the efforts of not only dedicated employees, but many partners and volunteers who contribute to the successful management of forest resources as well as providing services to forest visitors like you.

Please visit the Recreation Condition Report to learn the current status for developed recreation sites: www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation.

Remember, your safety is your responsibility. As always, please keep yourself, others and our responding personnel safe by making thoughtful decisions, staying aware of weather conditions, and heeding the advice of your local and state authorities.

Stay connected with us to view alerts related to possible hazards and additional closures on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests on Facebook and twitter @ChattOconeeNF and on our website at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.

Stay safe! We are thinking of you during this time, and appreciate your understanding.

About the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

To receive instant alerts and updates on forest information, follow @ChattOconeeNF on Twitter and Facebook or visit us on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/conf.