Description - At 4,050 feet, Rich Mountain anchors an area that includes several threatened and endangered plants and numerous species considered rare in Georgia. About 30 miles of trout streams and waterfalls embellish the rocky outcroppings in this rugged, mountainous terrain. A second-growth hardwood forest provides habitat for deer, squirrels, raccoons, wild turkeys, and grouse, with black bears, quail, and woodcocks making unexpected appearances. The wild hog population has been on the increase. Small and big-game hunters are the predominant human users of this Wilderness (which lies within Rich Mountain Wildlife Area). A few hikers and horseback riders occasionally end up here, despite the lack of established trails. They follow what remains of old logging roads. Private land nearly surrounds the Wilderness. Contact: Blue Ridge Ranger District - Phone: 706-745-6928 Address: 2042 Highway 515 West, Blairsville Georgia 30512

Area Management The Rich Mountain Wilderness is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, set up by the Wilderness Act of 1964 to keep these lands wild. Please use Leave No Trace practices when you visit.

General Wilderness Prohibitions As in all designated wilderness, motor vehicles, motorized equipment and mechanical transport (including bicycles, carts and wagons) are generally not allowed, and aircraft may not land. Contact the ranger district listed on this page about any exceptions.

The following wilderness regulations are in effect for this area. Not all regulations are in effect for every wilderness. Contact the Forest Service office for more specific information about the regulations listed. Dogs Restricted - Leased-Under Control Pets must be on a leash at all times. Stock use restriction - No Hitching or Tethering Hitching, tethering or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal closer than 50 feet from a stream or body of water is prohibited, possessing or using a saddle, pack or draft animal on developed trails which has been closed to use by horses and so posted as prohibited.

The priority for the Forest Service during the 1960's and 1970's was to restore badly eroded lands on the Oconee and restore forest health. During the 1960's construction efforts were undertaken to provide developed recreation areas within 50 miles of every major town. Brasstown Bald Visitor Information Center atop Georgia's highest mountain and Warwomen Dell are examples of areas built as a result of this effort.

The next four decades saw increased environmental legislation that governs management of the national forests to protect environmental quality and insure public involvement in the process. Wilderness areas were preserved, Wild and Scenic Rivers designated, and experts in natural resource management were employed to help meet the challenges. While the way we do things have changed many times over the years, our tradition of stewardship--caring for the land and serving people, is the same.