HIGHLIGHTS:  The Chattooga River Trail is a forty mile route that borders the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and follows the banks of the Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River from Burrell's Ford to US 76.  Congress designated the river on May 10, 1974 and it is often used by kayakers, hikers, backpackers, and fisherman as it winds from the North Carolina mountains to Lake Tugaloo.  The Chattooga River Trail shares its pathway with both the Foothills and Bartram Trails in the Russell Bridge area, but it stays close to the river for its entire distance unlike the other major southeastern trails.

This is the northernmost section of the Chattooga River Trail and it leads to a well-known historic landmark called Ellicott Rock.  The trailhead is located on the right about a quarter mile from the Burrell’s Ford Parking Area and down the gravel Forest Road 708 in South Carolina.  If approached from Forest Road 646 in Georgia, it is on the left just after the wooden bridge over the Chattooga River.  Andrew Ellicott, a noted surveyor, was commissioned by North Carolina and Georgia to determine the boundary between the states.  He completed his survey in 1811 by chiseling an inconspicuous mark on a rock on the east bank of the Chattooga River. The hike to Ellicott Rock follows the Chattooga River Trail about three miles to the historic boundary mark.  Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing and swimming.  Make sure to stop and see Spoonauger Falls as well.  The short side hike is well worth the effort and you will see the 0.3 mile Spoonauger Falls Trail almost immediately after you leave the trailhead at Forest Road 708. 

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