At 270 feet, this is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi, and it does swing. It carries the Benton MacKaye Trail across the Toccoa River deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and crossing it is the kind of small adventure that teenagers pretend not to enjoy and then cross four more times.
The best part is how little effort it takes. From the parking area at the end of Forest Service Road 816 it is roughly a quarter-mile walk to the bridge, so even the youngest and oldest in your group can make it there and back comfortably. Keen walkers can carry on along the trail, and the river bank below is a good spot to sit, paddle, and let the afternoon go by.
Go in the morning, when the light comes through the trees and the small parking area is still empty. Wear proper shoes, as the last stretch of forest road is rough gravel and the approach can be muddy after rain. Check current road conditions before you set off, since FS 816 is occasionally closed for maintenance and the alternative approach is a much longer walk.
