Brasstown Bald - Georgia Highpoint

Georgia has one of the largest highpoint structures of all 50 states. The visitors center has an exhibit area, a theater, several observation decks, a lookout tower and restrooms. The Brasstown Bald Visitor Center is open daily from Memorial Day through October, and weekends during shoulder seasons. From the parking area, you must hike a paved half-mile trail to the visitors center on the summit. A shuttle bus operates from the parking area when the visitors center is open. The park entrance fee includes a ride on the bus. During November through April, if the road is icy, they shut the gate 3 miles down at Highway 180. The observation tower has existed on Brasstown Bald since the 1920s. The present tower portion was completed in 1965, and the exhibit building in 1967, and the parking area in 1968. On clear days, you can view into four states. The Cherokee Indians called the summit area Itse'yi, "place of fresh green" but early settlers confused Itse'ye with Untsaiyi, the Cherokee word for "brass", so the name Brasstown was used. The southern end of the Appalachian Trail begins at Springer Mountain just 55 miles south of Brasstown Bald. Many report the best time to visit is in late fall to take in the autumn colors.

In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps erected the first observation tower. (Image at bottom of the page.) CCC workers first improved the lumber road to the top of Brasstown Bald.

In 1965, the lookout was replaced. The old tower was moved to the Southern Forest World in Ware County. A small admission fee is charged to climb the tower.

In 1966, the existing observation tower at Brasstown Bald was built.