Wilderness area

Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Southern Nantahala Wilderness is a 23,364-acre wilderness area in Towns County, Georgia. It rises from about 2,229 to 4,622 ft. The nearest town is Tate City, 0.2 miles away in a straight line.

Southern Nantahala Wilderness
Photo: Thomson200, CC0

Southern Nantahala Wilderness map

Southern Nantahala Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.

County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.

Common questions

Camping in Southern Nantahala Wilderness is limited to 14 days.
The maximum group size at Southern Nantahala Wilderness is 10.
Campfires are prohibited.
Tate City, GA is the nearest town, 0.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
The highest ground in Southern Nantahala Wilderness is about 4,622 ft, and its lowest about 2,229 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model). Its highest named summit is Dicks Knob, about 4,622 ft.

Who manages Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Agency Acres Permit Group size Stay limit Office
Forest Service 23,364 Not on record 10 14 days Tusquitee Ranger District, 828-837-5152

Getting to Southern Nantahala Wilderness

  • Tate City, GA is the nearest town, 0.2 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)

Named summits, canyons, and springs in Southern Nantahala Wilderness

  • Dicks Knob summit about 4,622 ft
  • Hightower Bald summit about 4,556 ft
  • Shooting Creek Bald summit about 4,293 ft

Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-30. Summit elevations measured on the USGS 3DEP elevation model, which can read a few feet under a surveyed summit height.

Campgrounds in and around Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Tate Branch Campground (0.8 miles outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.

Public lands next to Southern Nantahala Wilderness

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.

Other wilderness areas in Georgia

Georgia wilderness areas

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