Mulberry Gap in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest—My Stay: Cabins, Meals & Trails
My take on staying here—cabins and campsites, weekend meals, bathhouses and hot tubs, Wi‑Fi, day passes, pets, and easy access to hiking, gravel, and mountain biking.
Words by Michele Underwood |
Photos by Michele, Mulberry Gap, David Kil, and Brice Johnston.
Rolling past the Mulberry Gap sign on the gravel approach—home-cooked meals and hot showers ahead. Photo by David Kil.
My Stay at Mulberry Gap
I’ve been wanting to stay at Mulberry Gap for a long time—it’s been on my radar for ages. It’s a low‑stress basecamp in the Chattahoochee National Forest outside Ellijay, Georgia, set in the middle of an amazing trail network for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. You park under tall trees, sleep in a cozy cabin or shaded campsite, get served a family‑style breakfast at The Barn, head out to hike or ride, then come back to hot showers. Friendly staff—the owners Andrew and Kate, and let’s not forget Misty—plus clean facilities and simple routines make it easy to spend the day outside and roll into the evening relaxed.
Van life at Mulberry Gap—gravel pad under tall trees with an electric hookup and bikes ready to roll.
Mulberry Gap at a Glance
Where: Chattahoochee National Forest near Ellijay, Georgia (about two hours from Atlanta)
Connectivity: High‑speed fiber Wi‑Fi in core areas; enable Wi‑Fi calling. Landline available at The Barn.
Meals (weekends): Hot breakfast in the morning (coffee on early), packable lunches after breakfast, and family‑style dinner in the evening. Reserve by mid‑week.
Day Pass: Low‑cost day use for parking, Wi‑Fi, restrooms, water, route help, charging; showers available with an upgrade.
Pets: Dogs welcome in cabins and campsites (nightly fee); leash up around camp.
Seasonality: Open most of the year with a short winter pause; staff not on‑site Tuesday–Wednesday (everyone deserves a break).
First Impressions of Mulberry Gap
I rolled into camp very late in my van. Check‑in was simple, with a welcome pack waiting for me at The Barn. The Barn is the heartbeat: couches, a shared fridge and microwave, weekend meals, and strong Wi‑Fi—honestly, the whole grounds have Wi‑Fi. The facilities were clean and well taken care of. The owners are very involved in the day‑to‑day and ready to answer questions. Nights are quiet and dark, with owls hooting in the distance. I felt safe and slept like a champ.
In the Heart of the Pinhoti Trail System
White diamond Pinhoti trail marker on a pine tree with golden fall leaves in the background.
Mulberry Gap sits in the middle of North Georgia’s trail web, and that’s the magic. From the gate you can link forest roads and singletrack to hit Pinhoti segments, Bear Creek, Windy Gap/Milma, Mountaintown Creek, and miles of quiet gravel. It’s easy to scale the day: short out‑and‑backs, full ridge loops, or shuttle‑assisted descents on select weekends. This location is why I wanted to stay here—everything funnels through this part of the forest.
MTB: Classic North Georgia singletrack is right here; pedal from camp which is what I did starting on gravel. Or you can take the Mulberry Gap shuttle for a fee or time a weekend shuttle if you want to save the legs for the downs.
Hike/Run: Pick a nearby Pinhoti segment for shaded ridgelines and creek corridors; go out‑and‑back or make a small loop with a forest road return.
Gravel: Build 15–50 mile loops on Forest Service roads with steady climbing and fast descents; plenty of water crossings and views.
Pro tip: Download Trailforks before you arrive. Cell service drops out fast here—offline maps + GPS help you navigate and find your way back without a signal.
Trailforks Map
Offline maps, trail status, elevation, and bail options
for the Pinhoti network. Simple, reliable, and what I use here.
Cabins & Camping at Mulberry Gap
I booked one of the two designated van spots with electric. The spot was in a great location close to amenities—bathhouses and The Barn were an easy walk. I had campers nearby and the first row of cabins just down the lane. I never felt unsafe and was comfortable walking to the bathrooms after dark. It was great.
Creekside cabins at Mulberry Gap—quiet porches along the gravel lane, steps from bathhouses and The Barn.
Cabins: Rustic creekside or pond‑view options with heat/AC, linens and towels, mini‑fridge, and microwave. Short walk to bathhouses and hot tubs.
Hilltop Cottage: More privacy plus a kitchen, laundry, and a private bath.
Campsites & Vans: Shaded sites near the core buildings with access to all amenities. Some sites include electric.
Bathhouses & Hot Tubs: Clean, well‑stocked showers (toiletries provided) and shared hot tubs set a short walk from lodging.
The Barn: Communal lounge and dining space with seating, games, TV, guest fridge, microwave, and Wi‑Fi. Open 24 hours for guests.
Registration & Small Shop: Check‑in desk with a small shop that carries bike gear, snacks, wine, and beer.
Pro Tip: If you like easy coffee and quick access to meals, stay close to The Barn. If you prefer extra‑quiet mornings, pick something a touch farther away. Nothing is far—the place is small and compact.
Meals at Mulberry Gap
Breakfast at The Barn—hearty, family-style before a big day outside
Breakfast is hot and hearty, coffee starts early, and dinners. Everything is served family style. To‑go lunches are simple and trail‑friendly. I did not book meals with my stay, but I did enjoy the included breakfast. The meals, however, did look delicious as you can preview the menu ahead.
Things to Do at Mulberry Gap
I was there to work and check out the mountain biking. I rode Pinhoti 2 and it was a blast. But I didn’t realize they cater to so many folks who might not be mountain bikers, too.
Trail Running & Hiking near Mulberry Gap (Pinhoti)
Quiet forest, creek corridors, and mellow ridgelines. Pinhoti segments nearby make for a great sampler.
Gravel Riding from Mulberry Gap
Forest road loops scale easily—short spins or big‑day efforts with steady climbing and fast descents.
Mountain Biking near Mulberry Gap
Classic North Georgia singletrack is close by (Bear Creek, Pinhoti segments, Windy Gap/Milma). Shuttles run on select weekends; plan ahead if you want assists.
Morning shuttle run into the woods—bikes loaded, gravel road, mist hanging in the trees. Photo by Brice Johnston.
Low‑Key Time at Mulberry Gap
Read a book at The Barn, soak in the hot tubs, stretch the legs on the on‑site loop, or explore local overlooks.
Mulberry Gap Tips
Turn on Wi‑Fi Calling before you arrive—cell service is basically zero here, but the property Wi‑Fi is strong so calls and texts still work.
Download offline maps before you arrive—Trailforks is my pick.
Reserve meals when you book—weekends fill up.
Weather swings happen; bring a light rain shell and an extra pair of socks. It rained while I was there and my rain jacket came in super handy.
Cash is handy for shuttle tips or small purchases.
My Second Trip is Booked
Mulberry Gap delivers a simple, woods‑first basecamp—cabins or campsites, weekend meals, hot showers, fast Wi‑Fi, and trail access in the heart of the Pinhoti hub. If you want a low‑stress launchpad for hiking, gravel, and MTB, this place makes it easy.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks. She values quality and craftsmanship in everything she buys—from outdoor gear to everyday clothes and furniture. Her choices may seem expensive to some, but she believes in buying less and buying better. Longevity matters, both in terms of function and style. Her couch is five years old and still sold at Design Within Reach—that's the kind of timelessness she looks for. Some of the links in this review are affiliate links, which means she may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support her work. She only recommends gear she’d bring herself.
