An official website of the State of Georgia.
Last updated: 6/26/24 at 10:53 a.m.
WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures
Region 1
Charles B Henson VPA
Updated 6/20/24
Effective immediately, Charles B. Henson VPA will no longer be enrolled in the Voluntary Public Access program. As of 6/20/2024, the property is no longer available for public access.
Region 2
For road closures on U.S. Forest Service properties (Blue Ridge, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cooper's Creek, Lake Russell, Redlands, Swallow Creek, and Warwoman), please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/ for the most current information.
Chestatee WMA
Updated 1/11/24
Forest Service has temporarily closed Boggs Creek Road (FS Road #443) due to road damage.
Dawson Forest WMA
Updated 5/30/24
All gates at Dawson Forest are closed until August 15, 2024.
Updated 4/9/24
Shoal Creek Road bridge is closed for the foreseeable future. Access to Azalea Ridge Rd and Powerline Rd is available from the northern end of Shoal Creek Road.
Updated 4/25/22
The road to the Wildcat Creek Campground from Steve Tate Highway is a rough road and is suitable only for vehicles with high suspensions or four-wheel drive.
Elbert County WMA
Updated 12/02/22
Vaughter Tract Ponds are closed to fishing for restocking purposes and will reopen July 1, 2024.
Wilson Shoals WMA
Updated 2/07/24
All roads in Wilson Shoals except for the road to the shooting range and Grant Mills Rd. are closed until further notice.
Region 3
Cybel WMA/Marben PFA
Updated 10/16/23
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Fall 2024.
Region 6
Altamaha WMA
Updated 9/16/21
The job of repairing Hurricane Irma damages to the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area (located on the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area) continues. Waterfowl hunters planning to hunt this area should take note of repairs and conditions to help prevent unwanted surprises and frustrations.
Updated 1/17/24
The Road to McGowan Lake tract is closed due to rising river level. It will remain closed until the river recedes.
Grand Bay WMA
Updated 6/26/24
The boardwalk is currently closed for maintenance.
Updated 7/9/21
Due to military training needs on the federally owned portion (Highway 221 tract) of Grand Bay WMA, that section will be closed to public access periodically.
The automatic gate to the Grand Bay WMA boardwalk and lookout tower is open from 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and during classes at the Education Center. Anyone in that area after 8 p.m. may be locked in and is subject to being ticketed by the GADNR Law Enforcement Division.
Townsend WMA
Updated 1/17/24
Roads accessing portions of Townsend WMA may be flooded by the Altamaha River during times of high water. WMA users should use caution and make appropriate plans anytime the Altamaha River level at the Doctortown gauge is above 7ft. Check the National Weather Service for up to date levels.
Education Centers
Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center
Updated 10/16/23
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Fall 2024.
Shooting & Archery Ranges
No closures at this time.
Boat Ramps
If designated parking areas on boat ramps, shooting ranges, trail heads or similar areas are full, the area has reached capacity. Do not park outside designated spaces. Do not park in any area not designated for legal parking. Normal rules for parking on WMAs apply—see hunting regulations on page 41.
**Contact region offices should you want to check ramp conditions ahead of time.
Closures
Bell's Ferry Landing (Oconee River/Montgomery County)
Posted 6/4/24; Updated 6/24/24
Bell’s Ferry Landing (Oconee River in Montgomery County; ramp is located adjacent to Dead River Road in South Montgomery County) will be closed beginning July 8, 2024, due to construction work to be done on the boat ramp and the parking area. The construction work is expected to take approximately two weeks, with tentative re-opening of the ramp planned the week of July 22. During closure, anglers and other recreational boaters are encouraged to utilize an alternate location: Towns Bluff Boat Ramp in Jeff Davis County. If this notice is no longer posted, the ramp has re-opened.
Ogeechee River Boat Ramp SR4/US1 (Jefferson County)
Updated 8/10/2023
The Ogeechee River Boat Ramp located in Jefferson County at Georgia State Route 4/US Highway 1 is closed due to bridge replacement construction operations. A heavy crane will be placed at the ramp site to facilitate the movement of materials for the bridge project. A re-opening date for the ramp is yet to be determined. Alternative boat ramp locations on the Ogeechee River are as follows: upstream at State Hwy 88 (Jefferson County), and downstream at State Hwy 78 (Jefferson County).
Cautions
No cautions currently listed.
