Fort Mountain State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Fort Mountain State Park is located in northwest Georgia, not far from the Georgia and Tennessee border. The park is near the Cohutta Wilderness, so it has plenty of beautiful views of the Georgia countryside from its multiple scenic overlooks. Experts disagree on which tribe was responsible for building the mysterious 885-foot stone wall that gives the park its name. Still, they agree that a Native American tribe likely constructed the stone wall anywhere from 500 to 1500 AD. Within the park's 3,712 acres, cascading waterfalls, a peaceful lake, and stunning mountain vistas.
Nearby Cities:
Chatsworth, GA
Dalton, GA
Ellijay, GA
Calhoun, GA
Spring 33-73 F
Summer 57-83 F
Fall 31-77 F
Winter 23-48 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Fort Mountain State Park
Campground Accommodations
Fort Mountain State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Laundry, showers, bathrooms, fire rings, grills, dump station
Plum Nelly Campground
Plum Nelly is a family-owned campground nestled in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, just a short drive from the state park’s entrance. The campground offers easy access from Hwy 515, pull-thru sites, 30-50 amp electrical service, and full hookups at every site. Daily rates start at $35.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: N/A
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: private restrooms, laundry facilities.
Chattanooga North / Cleveland KOA Journey
Just an hour’s drive from the state park, located in Tennessee, isChattanooga North / Cleveland KOA Journey. KOA’s are well-known for their state-of-the-art amenities and on-site activities, making them a stay that the whole family will love. This one is nestled amid rolling hills, between the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachians.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: cable TV, dog park, swimming pool, propane, firewood, pavilion.
Battlefield Campground & RV Park
Battlefield Campground & RV Park is located close to Chattanooga in Tennessee, but is just over a 50-minute drive from Fort Mountain State Park. This leafy RV park provides a long list of amenities to keep you and your family comfortable and safe during your stay.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: cable TV, dump station, swimming pool, fire rings, playground, restrooms, showers, picnic tables.
What to Do at
Fort Mountain State Park
One of the most popular things at Fort Mountain State Park is to explore the mysterious wall from which the park takes its name. If you take the CCC Fire Tower Combination Loop, you can reach this fascinating ancient fortification in short order. As this trail's name implies, it also takes you by the Civilian Conservation Corps Stone Tower, another intriguing attraction. This four-story tower, initially constructed in the 1930s, was recently restored. You can climb to its top on Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to have fun, you could try your luck on the park's putt-putt course, which costs $4 a person. Should you desire to explore this area on horseback, you can go riding on the park's 25 miles of designated equestrian trails.
Inside Fort Mountain State Park
If you thought the camping opportunities were impressive, wait until you hear about the activities available to visitors within the state park. From hiking and biking, to swimming, paddling, fishing and more – there’s something for absolutely everyone at Fort Mountain State Park!
Hiking : with more than 50 miles of trails, spectacular summit views, and stunning natural beauty, this state park is a hiker’s dream. Some of the most popular trails include: the Stone Wall, Tower, and Overlook Trails (1.2 mile loop), Lake Loop Trail (1.2 mile loop), and the Gahuti Trail (8.2 mile loop).
Biking : Over 27 miles of trails are accessible to cyclists, making Fort Mountain one of the most popular mountain biking destinations in Georgia. Some of these include the Lake Loop, Gold Mine Loop, and Cool Springs Loop.
Swimming : Visitors can cool down with a swim at the seasonal lakeside beach. For safety reasons, stick to the roped-off areas. You can then enjoy a lakeside picnic once you’ve finished having a dip.
Paddling : With its many small lakes and rivers, Fort Mountain is also a great place to bring or rent a canoe, kayak, pedal boat, jon boat, aqua cycle, or stand-up paddleboard. It’s one of the best ways to explore the park!
Fishing : You can also drop a line in the lake to try your luck. Georgia is known to have some of the best fishing in the country, and Fort Mountain State Park is no different! Just keep in mind fishing is not permitted from the beach or pedal boat dock.
Fishing
Fort Mountain Lake is an excellent place to fish for bluegills, catfish, bass, and more. This 17-acre lake has multiple perfect spots for anglers with Georgia fishing licenses to cast off from the shore.
Geocaching
Fort Mountain State Park is home to several caches. One is a letterbox-style cache near the lake trail, and the other is near the top of the mountain.
Nature Watching
To view some of the most stunning parts of Fort Mountain State Park, you should set out on the Gahuti Trail, which takes you through part of the Cohutta Wilderness. Scenic overlooks, waterfalls, forests, valleys, and more are all on display here. The autumn leaves are incredibly gorgeous on this trail during the fall.
Stargazing
Fort Mountain State Park isn't the darkest area in Georgia, but it's still a great spot for looking at the stars. If you visit at the right time, you might be able to take part in a star party or a stargazing event.
Flora and Fauna
While exploring the Georgia woodlands, lakeshores, and mountains, you may come across black bears, deer, bobcats, turkeys, and more. Hardwoods, evergreens, ferns, wildflowers, and other types of flora are on display here.
Hiking
More than 25 miles of Fort Mountain State Park's trails are accessible to hikers. Whether you want to stroll casually on the Big Rock Nature Trail or trek on the 301 Mountain Bike Trail with the bikers, you'll see some of this state park's most stunning scenery from its trails.
Boating
Take your non-motorized boat to lovely Fort Mountain Lake. If you don't have your canoe or kayak, you can rent a pedal boat or a stand-up paddleboard on the premises.
Swimming
A lakeside beach on Fort Mountain Lake is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking are all everyday lakeside activities here.
Biking
Roughly 27 miles of the park's trails are open to bikers. In addition to the 301 Mountain Bike Trail, you can ride on the Lake Loop Trail, the Cool Springs Loop, and the Goldmine Loop.
How to Get to
Fort Mountain State Park
To reach Fort Mountain State Park from Chatsworth, get on State Route 52 from Highway 411 and drive 14 minutes east. Take the left Fort Mountain Park Road fork to the park's entrance. To reach the park from Ellijay, take State Route 52 about half an hour west and then take the Fort Mountain Park Road fork to the park entrance.
Entering Fort Mountain State Park
Seven parking lots are spread out throughout the park. They are located in the northern part of the park, close to the park's entrance and near the Lake Trail. Campers can park at their campsites.
All vehicles require a ParkPass, which costs $5 a day.
Fort Mountain State Park Daily : $5.0
Fort Mountain State Park Annual Pass : $50.0
You'll find most of Fort Mountain State Park's main attractions on its many miles of trails or at its lovely lake. Whether you want to head out on the water or keep your feet on dry land, you'll have no problem finding a fun adventure here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Mountain State Park
Summer is the busiest season for Fort Mountain State Park, so it's the best time to visit if you want to spend time on the beach or in the water. If you want to see some gorgeous fall foliage, then you might find autumn to be the best time to visit. Likewise, if you want to look at pretty wildflowers, spring would be the time to go. If cold-season camping is your thing, then winter would be the ideal time to come.
Adventurous visitors to Fort Mountain State Park might hope to encounter bobcats, bats, foxes, and even black bears. Whether or not you see such animals, you'll likely see some squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, chipmunks, deer, and similar common animals here.
Fort Mountain State Park Campground has 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites. 10 of these sites are designated for RVs. Back-in and pull-through sites are available, as are water, electricity, and sometimes sewer hookups.
Reservations are mandatory and cost $5 apiece. You can make your reservation up to 13 months before you visit.
You can bring your pet to Fort Mountain State Park as long as you keep it leashed and with you at all times. Service animals are welcome if they are accompanied by their disabled humans and kept under proper control.