This is a beautiful, incredible state park that is so worth the trek (driving and walking wise). There are a couple different lookout spots you'll want to check out, and at the security hut they give you a map so you know where to go. All of the workers were so friendly and helpful here. The hike at the very top was perfect- about a mile or so, the scenic lookout is about halfway through so you can take a break if you need. There's a good amount of elevation to get your heartbeat going but then it calms down after awhile. At the outlook, it would be easy to sit and enjoy the few for a long time. It's stunning. You can also take a fork in the path to visit the Fort that's here (thus named Fort Mountain). There are some info signs explaining the mysterious origins of the fort and it's pretty interesting. read more

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Fort Mountain State Park is one of few favorites places to visit, especially in the spring or in the fall. The scenery is simply picturesque. Despite the harsh cold winds of winter, we had the sun which made it bearable and our hike was splendid on the day we visited. Our first stop had to be the visitor center to get a new annual pass & patches. The attendants helped us secure the pass that best matched our needs. The visitor center has restrooms and a gift store. For my girlfriend, it's always difficult to resist the items --- t-shirts, stuffed animals, historical books, camping supplies, snacks --- they sell there. If I am not mistaken, I believe they also sell firewood and ice for those looking to camp. If you need a map of the park, it can be found here as well. We then headed to the lake to hike the trail that circles it. It's an easy trail, so it makes for a nice walk for chatting and stopping to admire the views of the lake and mountainside. The beach at the lake is relatively small, but the facilities there are nice, with boat rentals, playground, picnic tables, and putt-putt golf. Im assuming a lot of these services are seasonal because we saw no one using them. I did like that there was a ramp that led from the parking lot to the beach for visitors that may have mobility issues. We hiked several different trails, and all were well blazed. The trails that led to fire tower and the stone wall had informational signs. Unfortunately the fire tower can only be viewed from the outside. I would love to see the view from the top! But if it's views you are interested in, checkout the overlook trail! The view is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! We also did the Big Rock Nature Trail (trailhead is near the lake dam). The 3/4-mile trail led to a beautiful waterfall. We didn't touch the Gahuti Trail this time, but we plan to do it next time we come back; it's challenging but very beautiful from what I have read about the trail. I would recommend it if you have a day for a hiking adventure. Snacks and water are required. The cabins and cottages all look well maintained from the outside and are located in beautiful areas of the park. We didn't check out the campground, but it's near the lake, but Fort Mountain State Park seems to have something for everyone! read more

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Fort Mountain State Park is a marvelous state park! To parrot other reviewers, the overlooks on the way to the park shouldn't be skipped. Dazzling views! The entrance of the park causes confusion since it makes it seem like you have to pay for your vehicle at the pay station that's there. This was causing a traffic jam. Assuming there's no attendant of course, just keep driving since there are many pay stations sprinkled about in the various parking lots. Bring $5 in cash. The Gahuti Trail is 8.7 miles long and circles the whole park. We didn't hike the entirety but from what we tackled, it's no cakewalk. The narrow trail was rarely flat, and there were lots of roots and rocks to be mindful of, along with encroaching poison ivy. There was even a bear sighting according to some other hikers. A ranger warned us about snakes hiding in tall grass so be careful. For shorter hike, try the Big Rock Nature Trail (0.75 miles) or for a more relaxed and flatter amble, the Lake Loop (1.2 miles). Besides hiking trails, there are also paths geared towards bikers and equestrians. The lake was the happening place to be, with people chilling on the beach, splashing in the water, or renting boats and gliding along. Lots of grilling out too. And camping. The visitors center was less populated, but you can pick up free maps, browse souvenirs, get questions answered, and use the restroom. There's too much to explore at Fort Mountain in just a day visit, already planning the return trip! Some facts about the park from the official website: - Opened in 1936 - Ivan Allen Sr., father of former Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen Jr., donated land - Part of the Cohutta Mountains - Elevation of 2,850 feet above sea level - Area originally populated by Cherokee tribes read more

Caution Campers - We've been camping here for over 20+ years and while there are many great park reviews, and rightfully so, regarding the trails, cabins, activities, views, bears, proximity to towns, etc. the one thing that is NOT something to rave about is the campgrounds themselves. People love it for all of the reasons mentioned, but it would be nice if some of the revenue generated would be poured back into the campgrounds specifically. I believe this is something that is controlled at the state level so not sure how that works in determining upgrades. It's clear that the campgrounds have been totally neglected over the years for park improvements. The roads are very narrow, there are potholes and missing asphalt on all of the roads in both campgrounds. Many of the sites are extremely narrow and hard to maneuver getting in and out especially with anything over 25-30 ft. The sites and surrounding areas are grown up with weeds and look like a perfect spot for a snake hang out. The other area that is lacking is security enforcement. - Both campgrounds have a code entry but the past 8 out of 10 times we've been, one or both of the gates are not working, allowing anyone to travel through. Therefore, the bath houses are being used by people not staying in the campground. - Haven't seen rangers patrolling nearly as often as they used to. Ft. Mtn. used to be one of our favorite camping destinations but has become one of our least. If the park wasn't a middle meeting point for us and family members we likely wouldn't be back. read more

Man this park is very cool, I don't even know how to add anything more to all the previous reviews. They have campsites, RV sites, nice cabins, a lake with putt putt and cool paddle boats and canoes and kayaks to rent. It's a beautiful park set on a tall mountain with gorgeous views. It is a must visit place. Buy the $50 annual state park pass and go see all of Georgia's gorgeous parks! read more

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Thanks to IG, I learned about Fort Mountain State Park. I'm all about views and I wanted that great prettiness. I read it was a short hike which was perfect because although my husband likes to come with me hiking, he doesn't like long hikes. Before getting to the park, there's an overlook before you head there. It is worth a stop! Beautiful views. Fort Mountain is a state park so that means $5 per vehicle or having the state annual pass. We came early cause I just like to avoid the crowds and get the hike done before the it gets really hot. Plus I wanted to check out the lake too. There's many ways to get to the observation deck but we just walked and walked until we got there. I saw it and was happy to get to the area. I was a little underwhelm by it honestly. I thought it would be more gorgeous. The deck needs some upgrades. I wanted to see the stone wall tower. It seems like there are other trails to get there. It wasn't far and we saw the tower. I went up since it wasn't that high. When we left, there were several trails to take so we decided to just take one on the right. We ended up seeing stone steps and definitely not the same trail as before. As we got closer to the parking lot, it was definitely a ways down from where we originally hiked. We went to the lake to walk the lake trail but didn't know where it was cause there were no signs. We parked at the farthest parking lot across the bridge. There was another walking trail to our left but we skipped it. I wished we went cause now I learn there is a small waterfalls there!! The trail around the beach is serene. The beach area is small and interesting enough the water is not as clear as the rest of the lake. Overall, worth a trip. 35/2020 read more

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One of our favorite parks in North Georgia! Serious hikes, narrow, rocky trails. Steep drops just inches from trail. This is not a beginners hike. Bears are prevalent in this park during the summer. We ran into a momma with 4 cubs on one of our summer trips. We watched them for awhile while they were feeding and then decided to get out of their way. This most recent trip was cut short by rain. We were about 2 miles in and the trails became slippery and dangerous so we turned back. Great facilities here. Friendly and knowledgeable rangers. Make sure to stop at the ranger station/park store before heading out. read more

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Fort Mountain State park was fun! Friends and I paid a visit to Fort Mountain on a lovely Saturday. Located in Chattsworth, GA, your fun begins long before you get to this state park mainly due to the scenic drive on Highway 52. There's a handful of overlooks to stop and gawk at the views. The one that is my favorite (and whose photos i'm including here) is maybe a half mile from the park itself. Entry into the park is a measly 5 bucks, and for that, you get some gorgeous views without a difficult trail. There are at least 4 ways i'm aware of on getting to either the stone wall tower or the overlook. You can also walk up the stone stairs that will take you to the stone wall made by "the moon eye'd people", a race of people said to have lived in Appalachia until they were driven out by the Cherokee. Passing the stone wall will ultimately get you to the stone wall tower. The overlook is a phenomenal view every way you turn, and there are at couple of ways to get to it. I have seen photos of this overlook during sunset and those views are breathtaking, although even during the day they were pretty great! I keep blabbing about only a handful of things, but don't let me have you thinking there's all there is to do at this park. Taken from their website, here's a few of the amenities and options you have here at Fort Mountain:: 3,712 Acres 17 Acre Lake 15 Cottages 70 Tent, Trailer & RV Campsites -- site-specific, some seasonal 4 Walk-In Campsites 6 Platform Campsites 1 Group Shelter (seats 80) -- seasonal 3 Pioneer Campsites 4 Backcountry Campsites 6 Picnic Shelters Sand Beach -- seasonal CCC Stone Fire Tower -- open house every Saturday & Sunday, 1-4 p.m. (weather permitting) Gift Shop Playground Gorgeous park that I wasn't expecting much out of. Don't forget the welcome center, which has a restroom and you can also purchase park passes as well for varying prices depending on which one you get (I purchased mine on this hike!) Definitely pay Fort Mountain State Park a visit, enjoy the drive to and from the park...you definitely wont be disappointed! read more

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Fort Mountain was a delightful surprise!!! I had never heard of this State Park until recently as I explored the possibility of hiking Emery Creek Trail. Typically, whenever I am planning to go somewhere new, I search for things to do in the area. I would be totally sick to my stomach if I visited an area for one thing but got home to discover there were other awesome things to do nearby. I have been in hiking BEASTMODE for the last week, hiking every day for the last 7 days. I've clocked approximately 48 miles of trails in those 7 days and after my second visit to Emery Creek Falls, I decided to extend my hike that day by driving here to Fort Mountain. However, coming here was a last-minute thought and I did not prepare myself by reading any reviews or checking out any trail maps. I just showed up at the gate, paid my $5 entrance fee and found the trailhead to the overlook. I had already done 8 miles earlier this day when I arrived. Although I knew this trail was relatively short (1.5 miles round trip), I did not know it was ALL uphill, making it more strenuous on my already exhausted muscles. THINGS TO KNOW * About 3/4th's of the way up the trail it will split. The yellow trail will continue up the mountain while the red trail heads down a spur trail to the wooden overlook platform. Fear not in making a choice here, because no matter if you continue up the yellow or follow the red, once at either there is a connector trail to the other. * I'm glad I took the yellow trail all the way up, because the connector trail uses a series of metal steps to bring you down to the overlook (see pic): https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/fort-mountain-state-park-chatsworth?select=vpJt8BwWB0ke4WJmGs1yVQ&userid=JjXuiru1_ONzDkYVrHN0aw * Near the top of the yellow trail it will split again, this time in three directions. You can either turn left to follow the connector trail down to the overlook, right to follow a loop back to the parking area or hard right further up the mountain to the Stone Tower, which will be in view. * The Stone Tower is a cool looking structure birthed out of the desire to spot forest fires. The signage below the tower tell of how the fires of 1910 consumed one million acres in a 24-hour period and three million overall in the Pacific Northwest. The smoke was so dense that it drifted across the entire country all the way to Washington DC. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was formed under FDR's leadership in 1933 and used to build park structures aimed at fire prevention on federal and state park lands. SIDE NOTE: If you visit Emery Creek Trail, you must travel along Old CCC Camp Road to get to the trailhead. Now you know what the CCC means. * The tower was built in 1935 and restored in 2014 after falling into disrepair over the years and burned in 1971. Cost = $188,800. * Another spur trail from the tower leads to the ancient ruins of an old fort, to which the mountain gets its name. No one knows WHO built the structure or WHY but theories revolve mostly around Native Americans. * The Overlook is incredible! Views are practically 270 degrees and stretch as far as the naked eye can see. Well worth the short but steep hike! * The is also an old gold mine and waterfall. FINAL THOUGHTS STUNNING VIEWS are more than enough reason to come here. The only rival views I can think of would be Rock City in Chattanooga, TN, the view from Bald Mountain in Georgia or Indian Seats @ Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming, GA. Enjoy! 2018/32 read more

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Fort Mountain State Park is one of my favorite state parks to camp at. We had two walk-in tent sites reserved for the weekend. Parking without an annual state park pass is $5. You can pay once you enter the park or at the Welcome Center. This state park is perfect for families. Their amenities - restrooms, showers - are clean and well maintained. Park is dog friendly and has running water in tent walk-in sites. Campsite also have fire pit with grill. Parking gets limited, as vehicles would carry trailers, campers, etc. Carpool if possible. They have bear-proof storage containers. Towards the entrance of the campgrounds are bear-proof trash containers. Watch out for bears once the weather gets warmer. Trails are also clearly marked. The view is stunning! I'll definitely be returning. read more

Fort Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Chatsworth, Georgia

Drove here yesterday to get away from the city but also social distance hiking. There's a few trails at Fort Mountain State Park. We picked the Gahuti trail. It's approximately 8.2 miles, and around loop. We started our car and took a full circle. We walked the opposite direction of the Overlook which is right near parking. It's definitely a great trail. It's moderate hiking. Lots of flat hiking but also ups and downs. It can get muddy at times, The trail gets narrow at times, sometimes you have to cross over some waterfalls which isn't super difficult but you can get your feet wet a little bit and there are rocky pathways. The trail definitely gives you a lot of variety. Has lots of water areas streams, Brooks and waterfalls which is really nice. There's only a couple of overlooked but they are beautiful! The trail is marked pretty well and it's orange, it's easy to go off trail if you weren't paying attention because there's other trails around so make sure you follow it. It's a beautiful hike. We started around noon and finished around 5- 5:30 PM, including all the stops to eat, observe etc. I wouldn't recommend going here on a rainy day of the day after heavy rains because I feel like some of the trail might be too muddy or too difficult to cross but other than that definitely worth a day trip! $5 entrance. read more

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Tony and I went hiking here on Saturday Feb 22nd. It was very easy to find. We took I-24 to Dalton exit 333 and then went 52 East to Chatsworth Ga. In Chatsworth you cross the railroad tracks and start up the mountain for 8 miles to the park entrance. There are several areas to pull over for some spectacular views of the mountains and overlooks are wide. We entered the park. There is $5 fee when its open, but today when we went it was FREE..We stopped at the visitors center to get a map and I purchased a post card for my parents and a sticker for my dad's collection. We drove out the park to the dead end loop for parking and hiking to the ancient wall and tower overlook. Well marked color code paths..We followed the red and yellow trails. Loved the park. A lot of steps so it was a little exerting but we made it. Some history on the park from their website: A scenic drive on Hwy. 52 near the Cohutta Wilderness leads visitors to this mountain getaway. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in Georgia, winding through hardwood forest and blueberry thickets, crossing streams and circling a pretty lake. Hikers can also explore a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and an ancient rock wall which stand on the highest point of the mountain. The mysterious 855-foot-long wall is thought to have been built by early Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. During summer, visitors can cool off on a lakeside beach, while stables offer guided horseback rides and stall rental throughout the year. Park guests may stay overnight in fully equipped cottages, a campground or backpacking campsites Park Hours: 7AM-10PM Notice: Gates lock at 10PM. No late access. Office Hours: 8AM-5PM $5 parking. Annual passes available. read more

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Amazing cabin and hiking trails. We will go back again! You don't want to miss out on this location

Hidden treasure national park! Easy trials and more challenging trails... something for everyone read more

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We've been coming to fort mountain since I was a baby. I'm 31 now! This park is GA's best kept secret. Impeccably maintained, family friendly, so much to do. Friendly staff members. Beautiful cottages. Hiking, fishing, paddle boating, swimming, putt putt golf, so much to do! I'm very thankful that I have a wealth of childhood memories in this little slice of heaven. read more

Fort Mountain State Park - View from overlook - Parks Near Me - Chatsworth, Georgia

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Dec2008: my family hiked the Big Rock Nature Trail as well as the lake. Parents are in their 60s, sister and I are early 30s and niece is 4 years old. Big Rock Trail is about 3/4 mile and is moderate difficulty. There are ups and downs in elevation. There is a waterfall that is lovely. The lake trail is easy and is about a mile, maybe a bit more. Over all, you can do both within 2.5 hours, even if you're going at a leisurely pace. Tip: go first to the ranger station and pick up a map of the area. Ask for suggestions on which trail to take, as there are many options. There are also cabins there for rental that look cool. Tent camping is also an option. When we went, we didn't encounter another soul on either trail. It was wonderful. I highly recommend. Oh, and there ARE black bears in that area, but black bears are afraid of humans (unlike grizzlies). Just don't surprise them or mess with the cubs. read more

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This is one of the more beautiful state parks that I've visited. But, for some reason, I just couldn't sleep. It was the bears! Yes, y'all! BEARS. I was here camping for the weekend and got up for a Saturday morning hike. I climbed to the top of the mountain, took some pictures and proceeded to hike back down. I was with a friend and we were just noticing that even though we had seen all those yellow "please don't feed the bear" posters, we hadn't seen any real bears, let alone other wildlife. No sooner had we said this then I look to the left, and there were 2 bears sitting underneath a rock overhang. One perked up and looked right at me. I kept on walking and hoped that it was just sizing me up and that he had already eaten lunch. Well, I made it back to the campsite alive but, that night, I swear, that bear followed my scent and was sniffing outside my tent all night. Scary!! I didn't not sleep a wink, until the sun came out. It was really fun, but a reminder that I was in his house and I needed to respect that. Besides the bear filled hike, there's a beach, fishing, canoeing and paddle boats, horseback riding and boat rental. It's a nature lover's paradise and it's only about an hour north of Atlanta. read more

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Went camping here over Thanksgiving and really enjoyed the park. Beautiful views and nice campground. Other family members had cabins and they were very nice as well. We were in the Lakeside camping area Andy had very limited cell service, but that's not why you are there right? Find a hill and you will find a signal somewhere. Just be aware. Other areas of the park were fine. This park is great for hikers of all levels. read more

My husband, my dog, and I recently spent a three-day weekend camping at Fort Mountain State Park. We rented a gravel campsite and stayed on the creekside of the camping area at Campsite #22. Though I know the responsibility of a camper's experience usually boils down to how prepared the camper is, I can't imagine anyone having a bad camping experience here. Our campsite came with running water and electricity, a movable park bench, and a fire pit. We were also very lucky to have gotten one of the only campsites with good sturdy trees that we could use for our Eno hammocks. (If you're planning on sleeping in a hammock, you may have to do some searching to find a good campsite for that, or ask if you can reserve site number 22.) The majority of the campsites included a camper of some sort, with only a few guests opting for just a tent their car. We were the only ones using hammocks and no tent. There are also a few walk-in campsites in each of the camping areas for those who prefer privacy and quiet. I saw one of these sites being occupied by some tent dwellers, but most folks tended to stay near the running water and electricity. The folks in the other campsites were very friendly, which I believe to be the norm while camping. Over on the lakeside of the camping areas, there were quite a few sites that were taken up by Auburn fans hooting and hollering during gametime. The shrieking children calmed down before quiet hours, and it was nice to hear people having fun, so no harm done. And then if a guest DID want that quiet and privacy, there's always the walk-in sites available. I was also very appreciative of how patient our campmates were toward us and our dog who softly growled at anyone who came nearby. The bathrooms were always clean and well tended. Each camping area had designated hosts, which I believe were responsible for cleaning the restrooms. For nearby entertainment, we hiked a couple trails, took pictures with the ancient stone wall, introduced our dog to the lake, and broke some rules by clambering over a waterfall. Everyone we met along the way was friendly, but I will say that this is not a place to go if you're looking for seclusion. There were many children hanging about, as the state park is very family-friendly. There is even a large picnic area with a playground. On Sunday, I heard some folks celebrating a birthday party. The camping areas are gated with an arm to keep cars from everyone. Paying camping guests are given a code to enter. The area was kept clean and orderly. I think Fort Mountain State Park would be an excellent place to bring a family for a fun and easy camping trip. read more

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Thursday late morning hiking. It was very quite on nicely paved road to the park. Parking was $5 as any other national park but this time, no ranger was collecting fee. I had to get out of the car to pick up parking tag and drop an envelope with $5 in a dropbox. Small visitor center had a gift shop with rest rooms. Of course a free map for hiking is available there. From there we drove few more minutes to get to the bottom of the trail. We only met 6 other hikers altogether. Couple of trail options to get to the view point up top. Regardless of which trail options you choose, you will find a common ground. Trails were in the wooded areas for the most part. I would not recommend to go up without a buddy. I would been scared(might be just me though) alone. It was pretty easy trail for the beautiful reward you get at the end. Quite moment up there for few was certainly breathtaking. read more

Fantastic camping spot. Clean, well maintained grounds with bathrooms and showers. Lake is very pretty. Didn't spend too much time hiking so we will come back. It was also a bit more crowded than expected due to the start of summer. But we enjoyed our time and can't wait to return. read more

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The overlook is phenomenal - views are like you are in a stationary airplane. Hike was gentle compared to Vogel State Park (which I give 2-stars), and the rewards were much greater here. The tower is a bit useless, but the rock wall is an interesting glimpse of ancient history on your way back from the overlook, which is the clear highlight not only of this park, but hiking in N. Georgia generally. No point in posting a picture because this is the kind of place, like the grand canyon, that can't be done any justice by a photo. Note also: the winding (but well-paved) drive from either Chatsworth to the West, or Blue Ridge to the East, is exhilarating - let's you test you car's handling like you watch in the TV commercials. read more

My husband and I only had a few hours to drive through this beautiful state park during peak foliage. My only regret is not having more time to get out and hike and take every possible road through runs through here! We were able to do this on a weekday, so there was hardly any traffic. The only downside was rain. Lady bugs were migrating through this area, so whenever we got out to take pictures and enjoy the vistas, we had to make sure we got hitch-hiker lady bugs off us before getting back into the car! If we lived in this area, I think this would be one of our favorite places. read more

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The small amount that I saw of the park was gorgeous! Walked the short trail to the overlook, although a little steep on the way up, wasn't bad coming down at all. Saw some neat bush along the way as well as the beautiful view from the observation deck. So glad I made it to this park! Hope to come back someday soon. read more

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My pup and I went up here for the day and it's a great spot to bring the family. It's a easy and short hike for children. Bring a snack while you enjoy the view! read more

Fort Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Chatsworth, Georgia

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Be bear aware at this state park! I hike Sweetwater Creek State Park a lot and we don't have bears there. If you go during the warmer months and hike the trails, especially the ones leading to the backcountry trails, you're likely to see or hear bears. We hiked a few of the trails and tried to stay to the most popular ones to avoid bears since we didn't have bear spray or a whistle. (You can buy them at the Visitor Center.) Luckily we ran across an experienced hiker who is a regular at this park. He warned us of a large male bear he spotted just down trail of us, headed towards the backcountry trails. We did not plan to head that way but it made us a lot more aware. We just happened to end up at one of the amazing overlooks with this same hiker at sunset. He made us aware of yet another bear who was just underneath the platform we were on. The bear was clawing a tree trying to get grubs. Never saw the bear but definitely heard it. Also heard a lot of swarming bees on the trail headed to the overlook. We also hiked the trail around the lake which is primarily flat. There are cabins and camping spots that you can book that lay right off the lake loop trail. I only gave this park 4 stars because you do have to be bear aware which can scare off some folks. If you're in the area there are some other GA State Park attractions nearby. You can visit Amicalola Falls, the Trail of Tears route or the Chief Vann House. read more

We love it here! The view is breathtaking. A walk around the pond is relaxing. A nice quiet place with friendly people. We went several different days and even on the day when we were in the clouds and it was raining we got some great shots! On the way up we stopped Cohutta overlook which in my opinion, no one should miss! read more

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This was a great place to visit. Our kids, 11 and 6, navigated it well. It was challenging enough but not too hard for me (out of shape). Didn't need hiking boots but would recommend due to the rocky trail. Beautiful view from the tower and the overlook. read more

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campsites were laid out well and maintained very nicely, we stayed at the premium side of the campground with a coded gate entry, great idea. Had cable TV, water, and power at the site, campground was crowded but fairly quiet and very friendly. Overall, nice place to camp, only downside is cellular service is all barely there at all on Verizon and AT&T where we were except up at the visitors center. The pavilion is in bad condition, the roof leaked badly during a family gathering forcing us to leave early. Mini golf area is in desperate need of refurbishing and landscape work. Staff we encountered was friendly at the visitor's center. read more

The State park is a must see. Hiking and walking trails. Bike trails. Cabins and canoes for rentals. The park is clean and monitored heavily. A place for tent camping, as well as motor home camping. Fishing and swimming in the lake. read more

This state park went above and beyond to help us from July 9 - 11, 2018. Our truck broke down in front of the visitor's center after climbing up the mountain. The staff was extremely helpful with getting us a tow truck, towing our camper fo campsite, finding us a repair shop, and more!! This state park is highly recommended by us!! read more

Fort Mountain State Park - View from top of Fort Mtn State Park - Parks Near Me - Chatsworth, Georgia

Incredible views, incredible history.....and even some mystery with the old stone "fort"...... Recommended. read more

So much to see at this park. The views are beyond gorgeous. Check out the photos and a full review below. https://imaginecamper.com/2018/03/12/fort-mountain-state-park/ read more

The Overlook trail isn't easy, but isn't difficult and is worth the effort. Beautiful sights.

Four days, three nights of what can only be expressed as "out in the wild" as close as one may get within a campground. Lovely campground hosts, DNR and park rangers. Camped in a tent, lakeside segment of the campground, experienced amazing weather last week, wonderful beach swimming and an expansive layout for hiking and mountain biking. The reports of bears are quite real. They seem to have a routine in the evening. Abide by the rules and you shouldn't have any issues. All of the campsites have various benefits. #37 was the site I chose. It was raised a bit above the others and with an opening to the sky so that I could leave off the cover to my tent so as to enjoy drifting off to sleep under the clear night sky. If you have limitations and need to be nearer a bathhouse or level to a bathhouse you'll want to consult staff to align the best site for your camp. Otherwise, enjoy the beauty! The bathhouses were clean for the most part, and it's an easy going atmosphere. read more

Fort Mountain is a great State Park to visit, so add it to your list if you have not already! The road up to the park is breath taking itself, so I knew the views from the overlook were not going to disappoint. The park is clearly marked with a huge sign at the entrance. When we arrived, there was a park attendant at the gate collecting parking fees. There is a daily fee of $5. If the parking attendant is not stationed there when you arrive, there are collection envelops and drop boxes where you can leave your fee. The parking lot is a nice size and it has clean bathrooms to use before you start your hike! This is always a plus for me. The trail is a short, but steep hike. I think it is about 2 miles round trip. The trail splits at a couple of different places. One of the trails leads you to a tower first, then the overlook. The other takes you to stairs that leads you straight to the overlook. I took the trail directly to the overlook and the view will literally bring chills to your body. It is a never ending view of what looks like blankets of trees and grass. The air feels fresher and you never run out of things to look at from any angle. There are benches to sit on and plenty of rocks to take photos on. This was my second hike of the day, so I was out of energy to hike to the tower, but I definitely plan to come back and explore more of what Fort Mountain State Park has to offer! read more

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This place was amazing. We had such a great time. The views were breathtaking. The hikes are strenuous but that's what hiking is all about. The tower was cool but couldn't hold a candle to the overlook. I was genuinely blown away. We saw 3 bears when we were driving in, seriously. Everything about this park made me happy. I'm a pretty harsh critic but man I loved this place. I am excited to go back and try the bike trail. When I do I'll be sure to update this review. read more

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We spent Memorial Day up in the North Georgia Mountains. Definitely not our first trip up that way - but our first time hiking Fort Mountain. It's yet another beautiful Georgia park, and a great, cheap, way to spend a day outside enjoying nature. They have tons of activities that sound great, but we limited our day trip to their 9 mile Gahuti Trail hike. It was a gorgeous day and it's at maybe 2,600 ft elevation, so the views were beautiful, as there are lots of overlooks throughout the trail. It's a tough 9 miles - but if you hike it clockwise - most of the tough hiking is in the beginning. It took us maybe 3 hours as we pushed through pretty hard (map said leave about 5 hours to do it!) Bring plenty of water - as you'll need it! But yet another great place to spend a day outside with the dogs! (I would recommend only bringing dogs if they are in great shape as its a tough one!) Oh and we saw tons of deer, so although the trail was pretty scarce with people - good idea to keep your furry friends on a short leash - too many creatures to distract them! read more

Top of the mountain majestic park with lake and nature trails offering long distance views and panoramic vistas. Y'all observation tower just above centuries old mysterious rock wall built by 'moneyed people " will intrigue young and old alike. Solid biking on many flat miles inside parks. Good solid facilities with excellent picnic and camping sites available. State park cabin rentals are reasonable but fill up fast. West of park on left is scenic 360* view of mountains and down valley 40 miles at cohorts overlook on left . One of the best maintained and fun state parks in entire system. read more

Possibly the best overall GA State Park. This park offers some of the best views you will see in the state. Excellent hiking on a number of trails. Most are relatively easy and usually there is a great view at the end. My two girls and I camped in a tent here for a couple of nights and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We have camped at most of the state parks in north Ga and I'm certain this is one of the best. Checking in the staff was very friendly and offered quality information. read more

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