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Got a few buddies down here in Ocala Florida that want to do a hike and hang for a few days up in the mountains around the end of August, maybe Georgia/Tennesee area (dont really want to drive more than 8 hours). If you guys had to pick some place that has the best mountain scenery and water access along the trail, what would it be. Thanks in advance.:)
AT and Benton Mckay. Good hike would be Jacks River Falls.
No sure how far you want to hike, but Pathertown has much to offer in a relatively small area.
http://panthertown.org/
On the AT, you could do worse than Winding Stair Gap to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (29 miles). Safe parking at either end; easy 3 day trip; water won't be an issue; two observation towers along the way, and a restaurant at the NOC. Lodging, too, if you want to stay over (bunkhouse & cabins).
A little shorter hike is the Standing Indian loop, but you can easily lengthen it.
August can be hot and muggy so suggest keeping cooler by looking for higher elevation trails, especially those with waterfalls and swimming holes ;)
Come on to South Carolina.
Hike a portion of the Foothills Trail.
Start at the Laurel Valley Access point and hike west.
5 miles in you'll pass the Virginia Hawkins Waterfall and a beautiful big campsite right on the Laurel Fork Creek. 3 miles further and you'll be at the top of the Laurel Fork Falls as it dumps into Lake Jocassee. There are three individual campsite at the top of the falls.
Lake Jocassee is the crown jewel of lakes in SC. Fed from mountain streams, it is always cool, even in August. It's a 20 minute hike down to the lake where you can enjoy a good swim. Hike in, stay two days and hike back out.
In August, you'll love it.
Swampfox
What kind of trail distance and terrain are you looking to cover? That'll help determine the scope of your trip, as well as whether you'll want to do a loop, an out-and-back, or a shuttle.
+ 1 on the Foothills Trail. I hiked it late summer 2011. It was hot, but many, many opportunities for swimming, wading, feet-soaking in crystral clear waterfalls and streams. Not large mountains, but as far as I know, it is the closest really nice trail to Florida. I recommend start at Oconnee SP or Whitewater Falls and hike NE.
Another option is the extreme southern end of the AT, especially around Neel Gap near Blood Mtn, or Amicalola SP near Springer Mtn. It will take you an hour longer to drive there, but is mountainous and scenic. Any other mountainous trails (that I know of) will be exceed the driving time you listed.