Visiting The Toccoa River Swinging Bridge
Greetings, fellow North Georgia explorer!
If you’ve come here looking for information on the elusive Toccoa River Swinging Bridge—we’ve got great news; you’ve come to the right place.
As native North Georgians, we love sharing the secrets of our favorite hidden local attractions, and the Toccoa Swinging Bridge is definitely towards the top of our list.
Did you know? At 270-feet in length, the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is actually the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River! If that’s not reason enough to entice you, rest assured that the scenic journey and serene surroundings enroute to the bridge are well worth the effort.
If we’ve convinced you to at least learn more about the historic hidden overpass, read on to learn how to access the bridge in all its natural glory.
Where is the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge?
First things first—where is this now-famous bridge?
You’ll be pleased to learn that it’s actually not that difficult to find or access. The Toccoa River Swing Bridge is located in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is easily accessible via a three-mile gravel road.
The bridge will be near your vacation rental home in Blue Ridge, Georgia in Fannin County.
Here’s how you can find the swinging bridge:
- Access the bridge via GA-60 (between Blue Ridge and Suches); you’ll see a yellow and brown Forest Service road sign for the ‘National Forest Toccoa River Swinging Bridge.’ The sign can be easy to miss, so drive slowly through the area!
- From the sign, you’ll turn onto FS 816, a narrow dirt road that can be somewhat treacherous and is full of potholes. An off-road vehicle or SUV is best for the drive.
- This road dead-ends into a gravel parking lot, and the bridge is just a short hike (0.2 miles) from where you park.
Do note that there are several trailheads (including the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail) in the same area, so you can enjoy an easy hike before or after seeing the bridge.
Toccoa River Swinging Bridge History
The Toccoa Swing Bridge was constructed in 1977 by the U.S.D.A Forest Service in partnership with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Specifically, the suspension bridge was built during the extension of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to Kennesaw Mountain.
Over 40 years later, the bridge remains a favorite hidden treasure among visitors and locals alike.
Photo Credit to shutterstock.com/Sally Masters
Is the Toccoa River Swing Bridge Safe?
Yes! The swinging bridge is very safe, though you will likely experience a slight “bounce” effect when you walk across it. Although, the 270-foot long bridge is not recommended for visitors with a fear of heights.
Hiking & Biking Trails near the Toccoa River Swing Bridge
As we mentioned, there are several popular hiking trails near the Toccoa Swing Bridge.
The bridge and trail are a part of the Benton MacKaye trail system. Park at the Benton MacKaye parking area along GA HWY 60 and enjoy a three-mile hike to the bridge (a six-mile round trip) as an alternative to driving to the bridge parking area and taking the short walk.
Continue hiking north from the bridge to find Lilly Pad Village and eventually Fall Branch Falls.
Continue hiking south from the bridge and you’ll eventually find Long Creek Falls. If you do want to hike to the falls, do note that the journey is best suited for moderate to experienced hikers.
For water lovers, the bridge crosses over the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, which is another fun and unique way to experience the bridge.
Other nearby area trails and attractions include:
- The historic Skeenah Mill and waterfall
- The picturesque Wilscot Valley
- Lilly Pad Village (a popular destination for families)
- The scenery surrounding the Toccoa River.
Plan to Visit the Bridge on Your Next Trip
On your next visit to the North Georgia mountains, add in a trip to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. Make it a family-friendly activity by choosing to park in the nearby parking lot and enjoying a short stroll outdoors to get there. For the more adventurous, reach the bridge by a more strenuous hike that will let you fully take in the beauty and tranquility of the mountains.
We hope this unique local attraction is on your North Georgia bucket list!