Camper submitted image from Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail - 3
People
Camper submitted image from Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail - 4
Roads
Camper submitted image from Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail - 5
Buildings

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail

Review Campground Win Gear

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing

Campers are Saying

Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, near Blairsville, Georgia, is a unique spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. This hike-in shelter offers stunning views and a rustic experience, perfect for backpackers seeking a bit of adventure.

The shelter is built from rock and features a fireplace, making it a cozy place to rest after a challenging hike. Visitors rave about the breathtaking scenery, especially at sunrise and sunset, with one camper noting, “The views are spectacular!” Just keep in mind that this site doesn’t have water or restroom facilities, so plan accordingly.

While some campers choose to stay in the shelter, others prefer to pitch their tents nearby for a more private experience. The area can get windy at night, so it’s wise to find a spot with some windbreak or bring extra layers. As one reviewer mentioned, “It’s an amazing hike to the top,” and the effort is well worth it for the views.

If you’re up for a challenge, the hike to Blood Mountain is a rewarding trek that showcases the beauty of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Just be prepared for rocky terrain and a bit of scrambling along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or just starting out, this spot offers a memorable outdoor experience.

General Overview

National Forest

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

The Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia was originally constructed from local stone in 1937 for the Georgia State Parks system by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers stationed at Camp Enotah at Vogel State Park. The shelter was transferred to the US Forest Service in a land exchange agreement in 1956. The basic elements of the rooms, window, and doorways of this stone structure remain unchanged, but modifications to the roof and floor have occurred over the years.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail is located in Georgia

Detail location of campground

Directions

Use the Appalachian Trail to access this location. Hike in only. No access otherwise.

Coordinates

34.74014020796446 N
83.93731980057285 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

43%
43%
0%
0%
15%

4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 29, 2022

Amazing Spot!

I love the blood Mountain shelter atop of blood Mountain on the Appalachian Trail! Rock built with a fireplace and the views are spectacular!

SiteShelter
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2020

Not as bad as advertised

All I heard about BMS was that it smelled horrible. It’s actually not that bad. Views at the top of the mountain were OK better views coming off the mountain on the north side. Must see.

  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Jim I., August 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Jim I., August 19, 2020
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Jim I., August 19, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Hike there but don't stay

It is not advised to p at the top of blood mountain. It's an amazing hike to the top but once there it can get very windy at night and the shelter has nice and other critters. There are a few good primitive spots down the other side of the mountain if you are hiking the AT.

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2018

Amazing views, awesome backpacking site

We hiked up to Blood Mountain from the Byron Reese Trailhead. We didn't stay in the shelter and instead set up our tent near an overlook nearby. Perfect place for sunrise and sunset. It was a little buggy until the wind picked up -- it definitely cooled down at night even in the summer due to the wind so make sure you set up in a spot with a windbreak or bring layers!

We were past bear canister season so we hung our food nearby and had no issues.

We saw tons of lightning throughout the night over nearby towns but nothing hit us and we had no rain.

We are beginner backpackers and had a great time -- definitely recommend this for a quick one night trip if you're new to backpacking! The payoff of hiking uphill for ~2 miles is worth it, we loved the views.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Renee B., June 26, 2018
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Renee B., June 26, 2018
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Renee B., June 26, 2018
Reviewed May. 24, 2018

Blood Mountain

The hike up to the campsite might be a lot but once you're up there the views are worth it. While most AT shelters have a bathroom nearby, this one doesn't. Also there isn't any water available. I've heard plenty of horror stories about the mice at this shelter so we stayed in our tent nearby. The tent spots aren't really the greatest - the few flat spots get taken pretty early and there really is only a few. We ended up sleeping at an angle and pretty uncomfortably considering the rocky terrain, but the view makes up for it!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Maria A., May 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Maria A., May 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Maria A., May 24, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2017

Nice Hike! Good Camping

The hike is moderate to the top and there is a shelter and awesome scenic views. Love going up here!

  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Alex K., August 4, 2017
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2016

Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail

Large flat rocks nestle amongst the vegetation on top of Blood Mountain. This is one of the highest climbs in this southern portion of the Appalachian Trail. This is a shelter that must be hiked to but it is worth the work. With no water source at Blood Mountain shelter, I could see carrying up a large load of water and hanging out. There are plenty of places to seclude yourself and ponder life's mysteries. Large flat rocks sloping sharply made up the trail to get here. Thankfully there were frequent markings on the rocks to show the way. At some points the trail appeared to go right off the edge of the mountain. Scrambling over the boulders, going through skinny passageways, what a great hike. Eventually the large steps started up again. These are taller than my knee and meant that we all slowed down. It was a great hike through and through.

  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Art S., August 12, 2016
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Art S., August 12, 2016
  • Review photo of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail by Art S., August 12, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail?

    Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail is located at 2117 feet.

  • Does Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is poor.