The parking lot fulfills the second part of what I envision as a four-part recreational trail experience. Some people may consider the Dry Creek Recreational Trail Experience (my name only) as a dream, but I do think it will happen within the next several years. The first existing part is the nearby Georgia Pinhoti Trail (GPT). The GPT lies within about ½ mile from the parking lot, currently reachable on a gravel Forest Service road. The GPT offers about 32 miles of end-to-end uninterrupted National Forest trail from the Dry Creek area to near Dalton, GA. This superb trail is provided for equestrian, mountain bicyclist, hiker, and other non-motorized user enjoyment. Volunteers who support the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association (GPTA) and the U.S. Forest Service maintain the GPT in this area.

What are the 3rd and 4th parts of the Dry Creek Recreational Trail Experience? The third part is an environmentally sound 12-15 mile loop trail system for all non-motorized users that connects the parking lot, the GPT, and a nearby equestrian camping area. Naturally the equestrian camping area is the 4th part of this concept. A few unofficial loop trails already exist in the Dry Creek area. Some of these trails are good and others are neither environmentally sound nor in safe condition for public use. A well-designed loop trail system for Dry Creek has been proposed but no Forest Service action may be taken during the current moratorium on new trail development.

There are additional locations along the Dry Creek area Forest Service (FS) roads (FS 226 and FS 310) where one may park one or more equestrian rigs. About ¼ mile before reaching the new parking lot is a location where at least four rigs can be parked. Likewise similar space exists beside FS 310 where it nears the East Armuchee Creek and the GPT creek crossing (shown in the photo at left).

As many folks may not know how to find the Dry Creek area, extensive directions are provided below.

Dry Creek Directions
The Dry Creek area of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is located in northwest Georgia about six miles south of Villanow, off county road 705 (Subligna-Villanow Highway, also called the East Armuchee Road). Route 705 is a scenic highway that extends southward from Villanow to Subligna and on to Gore at US 27 a few miles east of Summerville. (Villanow is a few miles southwest of Dalton, GA, at the intersection of Route 705 and GA 136.) The Dry Creek area straddles the Walker and Chattooga county line. One may park in the new large equestrian parking lot beside FS 226, along FS 310 in unofficial parking spots, or in a few other spots along the FS roads.

From Villanow, travel south on 705 for about 10 minutes to arrive at the area.
• To use FS 310, turn left at a distance of 5.2 miles from the crossroads in Villanow and proceed on FS 310 for 1.3 miles to a parking spot near the East Armuchee Creek and the Pinhoti Trail crossing. Recommend that you do not take the side road off to the right from FS 310. Keep to your left.
• To use the FS 226 parking lot, continue on Route 705 for 1.3 miles beyond the FS 310 turnoff, and turn left on FS 226. Keep to the left when you encounter side roads, and travel 1.5 miles until you arrive at the new huge parking lot at the top of a hill. About ¼ mile before reaching the parking lot there is a road to the right that crosses East Armuchee Creek. There is a primitive camping area located across the creek that is used by equestrians and others. Camping is not permitted in the new parking lot.

From US 27 at Gore, travel north on the Gore-Subligna highway for 8.1 miles to the village of Subligna. Turn right on the East Armuchee Road (this is also the Subligna-Villanow Highway/ Route 705) and drive about three miles to the Dry Creek area.

• FS 226 is located 3.2 miles from Subligna.
• FS 310 is located 4.5 miles from Subligna.