Free, hike-in access, and no reservation required: Blood Mountain Shelter sits atop one of the highest points in the southern Appalachian Trail corridor in Georgia, drawing backpackers willing to earn their campsite over roughly two miles of uphill trail from the Byron Reese Trailhead. The shelter itself is a two-room stone structure with a fireplace, but most campers opt to pitch tents nearby rather than sleep inside, largely due to reported mice and other critters in the shelter.
Flat tent sites are limited and go quickly. The rocky terrain means the few genuinely level spots fill up early, and latecomers may find themselves sleeping at an angle on sloped ground. There is no water source at the shelter, so campers need to carry everything up. No toilet facilities are available either, which is worth factoring in when planning. As Art S. describes it, "large flat rocks nestle amongst the vegetation on top of Blood Mountain," and the same rocky character that defines the summit views also defines the campsite itself.
Wind picks up considerably at the summit, especially after dark, even during summer months. That wind can keep bugs down but also drops temperatures faster than expected, so layers matter. The overlook just behind the shelter faces out toward surrounding ridgelines and is frequently noted as a good vantage point for both sunrise and sunset. Vogel State Park Campground sits about 1.8 miles north and provides a more developed alternative with water and facilities for those who want a base camp before or after the climb.
Campers new to backpacking have found this a manageable overnight, and the short mileage makes it a reasonable first hike-in trip. Cell service is listed as available. If the summit sites are full, a few primitive spots can be found further down the north side of the mountain along the AT corridor.
Description
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail is located in Georgia near Suches
Directions
Use the Appalachian Trail to access this location. Hike in only. No access otherwise.
Coordinates
34.74014020796446 N
83.93731980057285 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/16/26
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/7/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/16/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 8/7/26
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 53 min from Gainesville, GA
- 1 hr 30 min from Athens, GA
- 1 hr 37 min from Cleveland, TN
