A three mile drive down a gravel road into Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest will take you to the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi.
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The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
On a summer weekend my friends Jim and Ken and I set off to find Sea Creek Falls, a waterfall supposedly located 20 miles from Pinebox, my North Georgia mountain cabin. I say “supposedly” because I had failed to find this water feature on a previous solo expedition, nor did we locate it on this excursion. Before we could even make it to our planned destination, we got sidetracked by another potential adventure. But that’s what happens when you head out on an day trip, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Experience has taught us to have a destination in mind and make a plan, but never etch the itinerary in stone, because serendipity (AKA “fortuitous happenstance”) may have other plans.
I have driven GA-60 between Blue Ridge and Suches, Georgia, many times in the past decade, but I don’t remember ever seeing the sign to Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. In fact, we passed the turn-off to the bridge this time, but we decided to turn around and check it out since we were already in the vicinity. Shortly after leaving the highway, we slowed while passing a car on its way out. The friendly driver told us it was a 3-mile drive through the forest to the bridge. FS 816 is a narrow winding gravel road full of washouts, potholes, and boulders typical of National Forest Service roads in the area, but we found it a great opportunity to roll down the windows and enjoy the cool breeze while trekking deeper into the Chattahoochee National Forest. Soon we joined several vehicles already parked in the area where FS 816 came to a dead end. We noticed multiple trails leading in different directions, but a boisterous family group of exiting hikers helped us choose the right path. From the parking area, the Toccoa River and swinging bridge were just a short walk through the woods.
At 265 feet in length, this is supposedly the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River. I say “supposedly” again, because I have crossed other swinging bridges in North Carolina and Florida, and this one doesn’t appear to be any longer than the others, but perhaps it is. The views of the Toccoa River and surrounding mountains are spectacular, but my favorite scenic spot was located across the bridge on the opposite bank where a creek with small waterfalls flowed into the river.
A half-hollowed log is a lovely addition to the natural waterworks.
The beauty of the battle between roots and rocks intrigues me.
Friends like Jim and Ken make the adventure even sweeter!
As we headed back to the parking area a gentle rain started to fall, but we didn’t even quicken our step. Something about a sprinkle of rain while taking a walk through the woods only adds to the experience we call summer in the North Georgia mountains. Previous spontaneous side trips have led us on wild goose chases (read about one of those adventures here), but this time “fortuitous happenstance” and the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge were on our side.
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Detailed Driving Directions to Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
Georgia Trails: Benton MacKaye Hiking to Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
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Does anyone know if A: bicycles B: motorcycles C: cars D: None of the above are able to cross the bridge?
A bicycle could technically cross the bridge, but the path to the bridge and beyond is a trail through the woods, so unless it is a mountain bike there would be no point in that.
I’m so curious how they even built that swinging bridge! I’ve tried to Google how it was built because I can’t imagine how they got all the building supplies up there. Any idea where I can read about that?
That is a great question, Karen! I read online that the bridge was built by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Club in 1977, so I imagine the forestry service could provide you more information.
Can somebody tell me my chances of making it to the bridge on road 816 with a Toyota Corolla. I plan to do on Tuesday May 22nd.
Hi Gabriel! We haven’t driven to the bridge recently, so I apologize that I can’t give you an update. Probably the best thing for you to do would be to contact the Blue Ridge Ranger District in Blairsville (706 745-7494). Hope this helps!
I grew up not far from here and have been going here for years! Sea Creek falls is also another one if my favorite little hikes. Truly this is God’s country and I have been blessed to be surrounded by this beauty all of my life!
Thanks for stopping by Backroad Planet, Tracy! You are so blessed to have grown up in North Georgia. I live in Florida most of the year, but I have a cabin located between Blue Ridge and Blairsville that has been my second home for eleven years now. Interesting that you mentioned Sea Creek Falls because I wrote a post (Five Elusive North Georgia Waterfalls) about our hike there last autumn. You might want to check it out. There is no doubt that North Georgia is God’s country, indeed!
Beautiful place! I just want to walk in the lushness…so pure and refreshing.
It truly is a relaxing place in nature, Renuka! So glad you got to enjoy it vicariously . . . . 🙂
Thank you for posting the pictures and maps of the waterfalls. I hope to visit the five waterfalls that can be seen in one day, according to program that I saw on GPB some years ago.
Glad we were able to help you out! Nothing like North Georgia mountain waterfalls . . . . Thanks for stopping by Backroad Planet!