Name: Keown Falls And Johns Mountain Double Loop
Rating: 4.5

Hikes Map Explore

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA

LENGTH 5 MILES

DIFFICULTY 7.8 Easy
Medium

DURATION 2-3 hours

ELEVATION GAIN

1130

feet

TRAIL TYPE

Double
Loop

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop

May 18, 2020 - Many parks and hiking trails are open but some are still closed or limiting capacity. Call ahead to verify status if possible. While hiking, continue to follow social distancing practices. Stay safe people.

A double loop with two trailheads giving you plenty of options, hike the Keown Falls and Johns Mountain loops to explore trickling waterfalls, quiet creeks, and long-distance views. At less than an hour from Chattanooga, this is a great hike for the family and the dog.

The Keown Falls Loop begins at the Keown Fall Recreation Area trailhead and the Johns Mountain Loop begins at the Johns Mountain overlook trailhead. The two loops are joined in the middle by a short connector trail with the Keown Falls Overlook platform. The elevation graph and slope calculations are based on beginning at the Keown Falls Rec Area trailhead and heading counter-clockwise around both loops.

Since there are many options for the route you can take I won't be giving specific directions. All intersections are signed making navigation easy. If you want to tackle the uphill first, begin at the Keown Falls Rec Area. Here you'll find restrooms and numerous picnic tables and grills. Begin along the rock-lined trail next to the info sign. Look for a green blaze. The trail will quickly split to form the loop.

Taking a right is slightly easier and has some great views just before reaching the falls. Half way up a set of steps is the short connector trail with the Keown Falls observation deck where you'll get an above view of this thin waterfall. If it hasn't rained much, there may not be any waterfall at all. Behind the observation deck looking back and to the right, a narrow side trail leads up the small hill to an expansive view to the southeast.

Past here, the trail passes behind the falls within an alcove in the rock face. Watch for wet rocks here. Continuing on past another unnamed waterfall, the trail eventually reconnects with itself near the trailhead.

For downhill first, begin at the Johns Mountain Overlook trailhead. Take either the trail leading directly away from the parking entrance or the trail opposite the overlook platform. This trail quickly turns right whereas left just leads down the road about 100 feet. This is the lone unmarked intersection and a wrong turn is just a minor inconvenience. This trailhead does not have a restroom.

If you go straight along the ridge away from the parking entrance, you'll immediately pass a communication tower that currently has quite a bit of graffiti. Sections of the Johns Mountain Loop pass through small boulder fields with much larger boulders lining the path in several places. The other half of the loop has a short side trail to another good view.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
If you want the uphill at the beginning, start at the Keown Falls Recreation Area. The trail begins at the information board. There are several side trails leading to picnic areas around the trailhead.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
I only saw two blazes the whole time, but the trail is easy to follow with signs at the intersections.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Small creek crossing.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Heading up toward the falls.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
If going counter-clockwise, you'll get views on the way up to the falls.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Halfway up the stone steps you'll come to the intersection of the Keown Falls loop and the connector trail to the Johns Mountain loop. Take the connector trail up to the observation deck.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Keown Falls observation deck. While you do get a view down to the falls, there isn't much view otherwise except in winter.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
When heading up to the observation deck, turn around and look for the small side trail leading up the hill behind you. This takes you to the best view along this hike.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
The best view is from a small side trail leading up the hill behind the observation deck.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Just after the observation deck, connect with the Johns Mountain Loop.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
A side trail leads to another good view on the way up if going counter-clockwise.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Heading up toward the summit.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Johns Mountain overlook and trailhead parking. Watch out for the slight mud pit in the center. Begin this double loop here if you want all the uphill at the end of your hike.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Continue from the overlook.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Pass a communication tower just after beginning. Unfortunately it's covered in graffiti right now.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Pass through several small boulder fields.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Back on the Keown Falls Loop, the trail travels behind the falls. There are several places where the trail goes directly under dripping water.

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop.
Second waterfall along the way back down if heading counter-clockwise.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.9 mi

95 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.7 mi

247 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.6 mi

356 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.4 mi

292 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.1 mi

168 ft

Elevation Loss

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Loss

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.7 mi

105 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.6 mi

233 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

247 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.3 mi

249 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.2 mi

321 ft

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length5 miles

difficulty7.8 Easy-Medium

duration2 - 3 hours

features Dog Friendly Summit Views Waterfall

trail typeDouble Loop

blazeWhite and Green

elevation gain1130 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestChattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

ranger districtConasauga Ranger District
3941 Highway 76
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-695-6736

parking feeNone

trailhead coordinates 34.613489, -85.088317 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°36.81, W 85°5.3 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°36'49'', N 34°36'49'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°36.81, W 85°5.3

Google Map It

You can begin this hike at the Keown Fall Recreation Area (direction above) or at the trailhead at the summit of Johns Mountain (34.623142, -85.098282). Both have gravel roads leading to them and are fine for low ground clearance vehicles, although the road to Johns Mountain is significantly more bumpy.

Parking Capacity

15-20 vehicles at Keown Falls trailhead, 10-15 vehicles at Johns Mountain trailhead.

Notes

Take caution along the wet rocks at the base of the falls.

Nearby Hikes

James Floyd Upper Lake Loop

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Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4.5 (2)

New Review New Comment

hikethesouth-5 months ago

Updated Review: Still A Great Hike

Just hiked this again. The trail has been rerouted slightly and there are now several open views, even with summer foliage. I now would recommend going any time of the year, but it may be crowded in the warmer months on weekends. Starting at the Johns Mtn trailhead should be less crowded. The falls are still but a trickle even after a good rain, but now accompanied by great views make this a must hike in Georgia! Easy to navigate with signs at all intersections.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Fall 2019

hikethesouth-2 years ago

Worthy Double Loop

The hike is definitely worth a trip. Better views and almost complete solitude in winter makes this a go to hike when the temps drop. Not too challenging for most but it does have a few steep sections. Great view at the Johns Mtn trailhead.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Winter 2013

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.