Black Rock Mountain State Park boasts the title of Georgia’s highest state park at an altitude of 3,640 feet. It offers hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking. During my first visit, I explored Ada-Hi Falls, Black Rock Lake Trail, Norma Campbell Trail, and two overlooks for the Southern Appalachians.
Black Rock Mountain State Park
2024 Price: $5 per vehicle
Ada-Hi Falls
For the shortest trail, there is a parking area near the Trading Post. From there it is a quarter-mile trail to the waterfall. I parked at the Blue Ridge Overlook pull-off and to the Springhouse Trail to the Ada-Hi Falls Trail, which was 0.6-miles one-way.
Ada-Hi is a moderate trail which descends steeply down multiple sets of wooden staircases. Green diamonds blazes showed the path.
I had the observation platform at the end all to myself to watch the small cascade trickle down the rockface. It was very tranquil.
Norma Campbell Cove Trail
After Ada-Hi Falls, I jumped on the Norma Campbell Cove Trail next to the Marie Mellinger Center before the final climb to my car. This is the newest path in the park, named for the late park naturalist Norma Campbell. Wildflowers were in bloom in late September including spotted touch-me-not and white snakeroot.
It wanders down into the woods and passes by rock outcrops, ferns, and mountain springs.
The map and website list it as an easy 0.01-mile loop, marked with red diamond blazes. On my hike, it was more like 0.3 or 0.4 miles and moderate in my opinion due to the steep incline and creek crossing. There are switchbacks to make it easier.
Wildlife
On the two above trails I spied blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers, white-breasted nuthatches, and wood thrushes.
Blue Ridge Overlook
The Blue Ridge Overlook has a short walk out to a wooden observation deck. At an elevation of 3388 feet, the deck peers out at Rabun Bald (Georgia’s second highest peak), Rock Mountain, Marsen Knob as well as Fishhawk Mountain and Scaley Mountain in North Carolina.
Cowee Overlook
On the drive down to Black Rock Lake, I stopped at the Cowee Overlook. At an elevation of 3195 feet, I felt this was the better of the two overlooks I explored. In the morning light, Cowee Overlook had less glare and direct sunlight. It also had better unobstructed views during my visit.
Black Rock Lake Trail
This 0.85-mile loop circles Black Rock Lake.
It was an easy start to the trail going right (counterclockwise). At the halfway point into the woods, the trail was a little more challenging with high roots and small hills, but I still consider the trail easy overall. Blue diamond blazes point the way.
Wooden bridges cross Cricket Cove, Greasy Creek, and Taylor Creek. Greasy Creek’s cascade was lovely.
I saw American Pekin ducks, Canada geese, trout, and bluegill in the lake.
A quick American giant millipede shuffled across the trail in front of me.
Several wildflowers were in bloom including ironweed and phlox.
Creek-side picnic tables are available near Taylor Creek. There is also a pier and wooden boardwalk for anglers. The main parking lot holds approximately a dozen cars but there are also some spots along the road.