Rabun Bald

Rabun Bald is a mountain summit in Rabun County that reaches 4,696 feet and features a wooden observation tower on its peak. This structure allows visitors to survey the surrounding landscape and distant ridgelines from a high vantage point.

A fire tower built and operated by the United States Forest Service stood on this peak until the 1970s, when it was repurposed into a wooden observation platform. This conversion marked a shift from an operational fire management facility to a public viewing structure.

Native American traditions speak of mysterious beings inhabiting the mountain, with campers reporting inexplicable sounds during nighttime hours.

The peak is reached via a 5.8-mile round trip hike using the Rabun Bald Trail, which connects with the larger Bartram Trail system in the area. Visitors should bring proper hiking shoes and plenty of water, particularly on warmer days.

As Georgia's second-highest peak, Rabun Bald offers an observation point where visitors can spot birds of prey circling in thermal currents above surrounding valleys.

Location: Rabun County

GPS coordinates: 34.96549,-83.29979

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:48