Charlies Creek Road

Showed Charlie Creek Road to some family members. Beautiful scenery and quiet day on the trail! Definitely seems like the road has been worked on since my last check in around December. Best trail in Rabun County.

Took our first run through, it was very enjoyable with a lot of great views. It is pretty narrow, we intended to do an out and back but it was pretty busy so we opted to just go through and found some other areas to explore too. Went through in a Wrangler Sahara, 2.5 lift and 37’s with no issues. Saw a variety of high clearance 4x4s.

Starting from the East, it’s basically a gravel road that is well maintained. As you get closer to Charlie’s Creek is becomes slightly more difficult. To me the hardest part is finding enough room to pass another vehicle in some spots (not saying much). Plenty of pull offs. A couple years ago, I did this in a stock Gladiator and it was in much worse condition, which honestly made it more fun. High clearance is still recommended in a couple spots. The trail is pretty wide, and I had no issue getting my Power Wagon through there without any pinstripes.

One of my favorite trails. Lots of rain the week before so the water crossings were really good. These is a sign at the entrance that seems to be confusing some folks. It says off road prohibited. The road is open. They are just saying stay on the road. Please do!

Did a New Year’s Eve run on the trail. It’s wet and muddy but was so much fun!

This is a pretty fun trail with several water crossings which are probably the highlight of this trail. There wasn't any hard obsticals that I can recall and even tho I was in 4 wheel drive it probably wasn't necessary. I think a vehicle with high clearance and a driver with any skill at all should be able to drive this trail. Its a beautiful drive thru the woods alongside a creek with 1 long river crossing at the east end which is definitely the best part

Great trail with simple water crossings. We went a few days after rain and the water was calm and back to normal height. We started at the normal entrance and once we got to the end, we turned around and did it in reverse. Near the end and at the crest of a climb, there’s an area to park to go on a nice scenic hike.

Excellent trail, 2WD vehicles in rainy conditions will not be able to access. I only needed to put 4L on the downhill slopes due to the rain.

This was my second trip to Charlie's Creek and won't be my last. It probably should be rated easier as there seems to have been work done to improve the road recently. Water levels were low and the trail was dry so not much need for 4WD. Beautiful drive to get to and leave the trail and great time on the trail.

Fun drive. Lots of water crossings. Not many views, but it’s summer. Will revisit in the fall and winter to see how it changes!

My local off-road club went on a weekend trip to do some of the GA Traverse and hit Charlie's Creek. We had no issues and probably could have gone in 2WD, but went 4H the whole way. Some of the locations that have been regraded are starting to rut or create pot-holes, but otherwise still easy. One of our group was pulling a custom box trailer through and had no issues with it (12ft I believe, but not sure...probably should find that out...).

We took our first trip on this trail and had a blast. Trail was narrow, but did have a lot of areas where you could pass. Water crossings did not cause any issues.

Went out with some friends and they have gone through the whole trail and regraded. It is very easy to get through. I went in 2wd the whole trail. The first campsite is blocked off now with boulders and a trench in front of them. The trail is a lot of fun and was very active when we were out there.

Drove it today. It is NOT closed. The sign referenced in a previous review is referring to other side trails (other than Ruby Mine, the only legal side trail). Still a popular trail, there were many folks out there with me today. I thought this was a fun drive all the way around. I know it used to be really challenging for some, but after the grading that was done a few months ago, I’d say “easy-moderate.” You probably can do this in 2nd. I used 4wd on my truck only to have to the comfort of a little extra traction, but I don’t think it was required.

Verified trail is open and has never been closed as stated in previous review. That sign means to stay on the trail and not leave the legal road.

This was my first trip to this trail and it did not disappoint. This is only my fourth trail since getting my JKU back in late April, so I don't have any idea what the trail use to be like unlike some other reviewers. I thought the trail was really cool with a great mix of water crossings and interesting views. Will definitely do this trail again.

I hit Charlie's a few weeks ago now and I has been graded. Pretty easy now, took the whole thing in 2WD. Water crossings are still fun!

Went there earlier today. As mentioned in the two reviews below, they’ve recently regraded it. We went East to West. One of the 4Runners was a 2 wheel drive and had no problems. The Western part is all gravel.

I traveled this trail West to East. As mentioned in a previous review, the trail was recently regraded. The majority of the western half of the trail has been completely regraded. Driving through you can see all the old rocks to the side. Grading was also used to 'fix' some of the mud pits that people commonly mentioned as fun (AKA, The 'Mudpit' you see on YouTube) by ensuring the water could no longer puddle up. Overall the trail was fun, but I do feel like this trail could be easily be done by a high-clearance in 2 wheel drive. While entering the trail, we saw a Toyota Tacoma Sport 1st or 2nd Gen, Non 4x4 Leaving the Trail. It would have been nice to do this before the grading, but was otherwise still fun.

Charlie's Creek has been one of my favorites, but as others have said, the trail was getting severely rutted and a lot of other trail riders were making their own trails tearing things up. It was getting almost to the point you needed lockers to get through it. I haven't been there since Feb. Went there yesterday and the land managers have been working the trails. ALL of the obstacles are now gone. All the spots where people were going off the main trail has been blocked by boulders and piles if fill dirt. The steep rocky portion has been covered with dirt and gravel. Machinery is still there so trail work looks like it is not complete. To be honest, the trail is not near as fun and almost any 2 wheel drive with ground clearance can get through and the hardest part of the trail is getting out of the creek to the main dirt road. I would say the trail has gone from Moderate to Easy.

West entrance was a little rough going uphill. Once over the top except for two places (shown in the pics) smoothed out a little. Exit at the river was a little worse as shown below, I dragged a little on the exit but I am in a Gladiator.

The trail is filled with deep ruts for 60% of the trail. Not recommend for beginners, bring someone experienced or have a spotter. There are areas where there is no good lines to take so beware. Please do not come here for mudding.. you will get the trail shut down. I attached a photo of what the entrance to the river crossing looks like now...

This was my second trail i took. Was fun last year in August. I have been several more times since and each time it has seemed to get worse and worse. At least now we have proof of why...just look below. it's this type of activity that will shut Charlie's down. Everyone!!! Please remember! TREAD LIGHTLY! If you want to go "mudding", go to the [pay to plays....

Excellent trail. Took my lifted Ram 2500 on AT 37's and had no problems. As mentioned below, several places are washed out and have deep ruts. If your vehicle cannot achieve decent articulation I might skip this trail. Very little mud today, and only saw a few bikers. I used the West entrance and feel that it is the easier of the two directions.

The previous reviewer said to not take a stock vehicle on this road. I didn't listen lol. The crossing from Tallulah River Rd. to Charlies creek is doable by anyone with a decent 4x4. People have made a path around the steep part now. But, after that crossing the road itself gets wild. Took a pic of where I got stuck because I could not keep all my wheels on the ground. TLDR, the water crossing is passable but the trail after is quite hard and impassible by a stock 4x4. First two pics are from where I could not articulate enough to get over the obstacle, water pic shows how deep the crossing is.

The ruts are definitely getting worse! I probably wouldn't take a stock vehicle down here right now. Busy on weekends, expect to see a lot of people on the trail. A large rut to get out of the water on the East Trailhead also due to high water.

Really fun! Some snow! Tried it in my 93 XJ this time which let us do the jeep trail areas off to the side of the trail! Always a fun time here!

Amazing family time. One of our first times out together on a moderate trail and the wife and kids loved it. A lil sketchy at first but the kids warmed up. It had rained a few days before and was a lil muddy but the snow at the top was perfect!

Rode the trail today, entered on the west end. Some of the ruts in the road are pretty substantial but easily maneuvered. Water crossings were under 1.5 feet deep. Great drive for a novice such as myself.

The Absolute Best Time Ever! We did it with mostly 2WD & needed to switch to 4WD maybe 5 times, but could not have made it without 4WD. Beautiful, Fun, & Muddy! 15/10 Recommend! We did it on a weekend after it hadn't rained in a few weeks so I was surprised by how muddy it was!

ran the trail today in my stock AT4. Ran it east to west. Scubbed my step rails a few times but no issues other than that. Originally planned on doubling back west to east. The end of the trail is probably more rocky than what was previously said. the wife started getting an upset stomach near the end and thought it would be best not to try doubling back today. planning on going back after the step rails come off.

It's a fun little trail, but it's cursed, we have drown two jeeps, my friends dog almost drowned and we found a pentagram made out of trees. It is not worth the risk. Go at your own discretion. It is cursed

I just got home from a trip with a group of 4Runners. this trail was a blast! It was my second trail in my truck(stock height Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road). you will need clearance the we we went up. I believe we started on the back side. Ruts were big(at least to me) but doable. We had a 2WD on 33s make it up he just needed to pick lines well. Over all a super fun trip! The water crossing were great especially with the rains. Lots of mud puddles, some were a good size. if I can edit this I will have some video.

My wife had a blast and wants to go back after the first of the year. Took my wife up to introduce her to her first technical obstacles in our 2016 Cherokee Trailhawk. (This is an excellent trail to introduce people to more technical wheeling.) The first thing we noticed was the entry to the river crossing has washed out some and now takes a bit of knowledge to choose how to negotiate the drop off into the water. (The extra 2" lift was a plus here.) We had a lot of wranglers giving us funny looks and told us that it gets rough heading down the end. But, if you know how to choose your lines this trail is doable in a stock Trailhawk. (caveat- as long as the river isn't up to high and it's fairly dry.)

Trail had some eroded and washed out spots that made it fun and challenging. Left it in 4wd and likely needed in several spots.

Awesome trail! Only had to use 4 wheel one time. Bunch of mud holes, a few water crossings, and lots of ruts. Trail was pretty busy but there was plenty of room to share the road.

Had some friends follow me up there last weekend and we had a great time. Few slick spots but still no problem. Sites were not available so we rode to the top then came down and let the kids play in the river.

Fun trail, only used 4wd a few times, water was up due to all the rain but still crossed easily

If you have an offroader or just got one.. this would be a good trail you can get your feet wet. Its not too challenging but not a necessarily a cake walk either. You will need a off road type of vehicle..or any vehicle that is a little bit higher than say 6 in to get out of the eastern starting part of the trail since it has some big rocky section. Also, the middle section also has a rocky ledge that needs taller vehicles. The best part of this trail is the western section.. where you cross a decent size river..not too high.. maybe 1.5ft high in the high sections.. so its fun especially if you take kids with you.

Fun trail with several creek crossings. I took my 4WD Silverado - only used 4WD in a few spots. Would definitely do this trail again.

Today was my first day doing any off-roading. I have a stock 2019 F-150 Lariat 4x4 3.5L. Thank goodness we started with easier stuff. We went in at at southern entrance of Tray Mountain, running north. Then did Corbin Creek Road. We grabbed some lunch, then drove to do this road. Charlies Creek Road was something else. We ran it from west to east. Tray Mountain is rated moderate. Charlies Creek is rated moderate. Charlies Creek Road was certainly more difficult. Starting out was a 10-12 degree climb, over lots of loose rocks, ruts, and sharp pointy rocks. I guess there's a reason why my truck seats didn't come with buttons. I'd have lost every one of them, with the pucker factor! Y'all might call this a pretty tame road, but for a newbie, it had some spots of heart pounding. My truck survived, without a scratch. My cardiologist will probably say I don't need to run a stress test after driving this road! I've attached a youtube video of my first river crossing ever. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy, easy. Wife and daughter crossed the freezing cold river, just to document losing my river-crossing cherry. It is time for a bit of a lift. It is time for a winch. We were out on a weekday, and there was very little traffic. I'd think that on a weekend, this place is so good, it would be bumper-to-bumper traffic in each direction. Check out the review written by Tim Lattimore. The picture that shows two people standing beside his black truck at the bottom of the hill, looking up? I had to go 'down' that. In the left hand side of the photo - like, the bald flat rock near the top, hides a 18" or so slide-to-drop off. The pictures don't fully allow appreciation of the fun-factor!

Charlies Creek is a fun trail that offers something for everyone, creek crossings, rock, mud, and camping.

Best, most fun, trail in or near Rabun country Georgia that we've found so far. A little bit of everything, river and creek crossings, mud, rocks, etc.

what an adventure trail. You get all the aspects you are looking for in one trail. Rocks, water, and lots of mud and dirt. Great trail for anyone looking to push things a bit.

Awesome trail. First time driving the trail, and it did not disappoint at all. A few ruts, mud holes and river crossings make the trail great. Will definitely be back to ride again.

Yesterday was my first time driving this road. The area had gotten 2"-4" of recent rain topped with 3" of snow the previous night. I wasn't sure how high the river would be. I passed at least a dozen other 4x4 out there having fun on this road. I can now see why it is such a popular off road destination. I drove it East to West in the mid afternoon after much of the snow had already melted. Because of all of the recent rain and the apparent popularity of this trail, some spots have some serious tire ruts and mud holes right now. The river was probably 24"+ deep and came right or over my rock rails on my Jeep, but it was no issue crossing. Everything from the east river crossing entrance to the start of the mtn climb was mild to a few moderate spots. However once you got away from the creek and started 1/2 way up the mtn there were several massive crater wash outs and boulder scrambling that I'd rate as difficult for the average driver. It required precise tire placement. All in all it was a blast!

I took my lifted Silverado all the way through today nice moderately easy drive is a little rutted out so you need hight on your truck but for the most part pretty easy.

Had such a great time doodling on this road. All was very clean and the views are just breathtaking. The east entrance was awesome!!! Crystal clear water. Can’t wait to return with more friends!

Great trail with several river crossings. And one major river crossing at the end if you go west to east. Moderate trail. I would not go if you do not have at least an SUV. Something that sits high would be better as there are sections of rocky area that test your ride height. There are several area's to camp along the trail as well. The kids loved it.

Good trail but being destroyed by abuse. I got through in my stock 4x4 Tacoma but there were definitely places on the verge of being rutted out. We have to remember, this isn't just a playground. Fix what you tear up.

It was a fun trail, spent 3 hours out there. Drove about 2 hours for it and was expecting more. I would go back again however.