Fort Mountain State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Georgia, featuring a 17 Acre Lake, unique historical landmarks, and gorgeous mountain views of the Cohutta Wilderness. Covering 4,058 acres total, the park gives visitors access to over 60 miles of recreational hiking trails, camping, swimming, fishing, biking, horseback riding, and other beloved outdoor activities. There’s even a pretty stone tower that looks like something straight out of a fairytale and a mysterious, 855-foot-long, ancient wall that’s believed to have been built by early Native Americans for ancient ceremonies or fortification against other neighboring tribes.
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Best Things to Do at Fort Mountain State Park
Since deciding what to do on your first visit can easily become a little overwhelming, we’ve narrowed down the list to help you find the best of the best. These are the 15 best things to do at Fort Mountain State Park:
West Overlook
The West Overlook is the rewarding mountain view that awaits you at the end of our favorite hiking trail in Fort Mountain State Park. The West Overlook Trail is super short but involves an uphill trek and lots of stairs. For the best experience, combine it with the Stone Tower Trail to create a one-mile loop that will bring you out to West Overlook and back to the parking lot after passing by a tower that reminds me a lot of Rapunzel’s Tower.
The mountains here look absolutely gorgeous during summer or fall in Georgia, and it’s by far one of my favorite Georgia state parks to visit!
Fire Tower
The Fire Lookout Tower is one of my favorite things to see at Fort Mountain State Park because it makes me think of Rapunzel’s Tower, despite the fact that there is no relation to the fairytale whatsoever. It’s actually a decommissioned fire lookout tower that dates all the way back to 1934. After the infamous Big Blowup wildfire of 1910 consumed one million acres in a 24-hour period and destroyed three million acres total by the time it had stopped burning, thousands of fire watch towers sprang up across the nation in response to the need for better fire prevention and safety measures.
Bonus: Look for the Heart on the Side of the Stone Tower!
The construction of the four-story stone fire tower was led by twenty-year-old Arnold R. Bailey, who was hired to oversee the Civilian Conservation Corps crew in 1934. As a token of his love for his future wife Margaret Reece, he sculpted a heart of stone on one of the keystones. Today it stands not only as a testament to his true love but also to the boys and men whose love and labor went in to building the stone works that still stand in many of Georgia’s state parks.
Swimming at Fort Mountain Lake
There’s a sandy beach at Fort Mountain State Park where you can enjoy swimming in the lake or relaxing by the water. The designated swimming area is roped off, and the water within its boundary is shallow, nice, and calm, so you can let your little ones play without too much worry.
Boating and Boat Rentals at Fort Mountain
Just past the Fort Mountain beach area is where you’ll find the pretty lakeside dock that’s full of pedal boats, paddle boards, canoes, and kayaks that you can rent. Fort Mountain Boat Rentals are available seasonally on Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. Head to the Trading Post to book!
Picnic
In addition to some charcoal grills, there are a scattering of picnic tables located by the lake in Fort Mountain State Park, and they make a popular place for families to gather by the water to have a picnic with pretty nature views.
Stone Wall
Fun Fact about Fort Mountain State Park: the park actually gets its name from the nearly 900-foot ancient stone rock wall that is mysteriously located at the top of the mountain. Archaeologists estimate that it was constructed sometime between 500 and 1500 CE, but the true purpose of the wall and why it was built remains a mystery to this day.
Cool Springs Overlook
The Cool Springs Overlook is the easiest viewing platform to reach in the park and the only overlook that does not require a hike to reach. I don’t think it’s as pretty as the West Overlook (that we mentioned earlier in this article), but it lies just steps from the parking lot for the Gahuti Trail, so it’s the perfect place to view the mountains if you either do not want to hike or are unable to do so. There’s a paved asphalt path that leads from the parking lot to the wooden platform, so it should be accessible even for those who use a wheelchair for mobility. The Cool Springs Overlook stands at 2,340 feet in elevation and provides unobstructed views of the Holly Creek Valley and Cohutta Mountains. The highest peak that you can see off in the distance is Bald Mountain, which stands at 4,010 feet in elevation.
Waterfalls
There are a few waterfalls at Fort Mountain State Park that can be reached from some of the trails. The horse trails will take you past some, as will some hiking-by-foot trails. The Big Rock Nature Trail is one of the easiest ways to see cascades since it’s just a short loop path that measures less than a mile in length. The size of the falls will vary depending on the time of the year you visit, as well as whether or not it has recently rained. When we visited, the falls were unfortunately not very big, so if it’s waterfalls you’re most interested in, then aim to hike after a series of wetter days.
Other Hiking Trails
In total, there’s over 60 miles of recreational trails at Fort Mountain State Park. We’ve listed some of our top favorites in this article already, but there is so much more to see if you have the time to spend at the park. Check out our trail guide article for more in-depth details of our favorite hikes.
Fishing on Fort Mountain Lake
Fishing is allowed on Fort Mountain Lake, where largemouth, bluegill, shellcrackers, and channel catfish frequent the area. Head to the west end of the lake for bank fishing along the dam. There’s also a good spot just south of the dam in the cove that has a picnic shelter. On the north side of the lake, you’ll find another cove east of the boat rental dock. There you’ll find bass, bluegills, and bedding fish in the spring. In addition to those spots, there’s also some fishing access offered from the hiking trail that runs around the lake.
Horseback Riding
There are over 25 miles of horse trails at Fort Mountain State Park for anyone who has their own horse and wishes to go horseback riding. The trails range in length and difficulty from short three mile loops to longer sixteen mile trails. They lead you past rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and even old mines. The shortest trails are the easiest, with most at a 20% or less grade. On longer trails, you’ll also have access to horse watering stations at approximately two-mile intervals. Head to the west side of the park to find the horse stables. All trails begin there, and you’ll need to register with them before beginning your trip. You can also contact the stables at 706-429-5075 for additional info or any questions you might have. First-time riders will need proof of a negative Coggins test.
Camping at Fort Mountain State Park
There are many different options for camping at Fort Mountain State Park. There are 70 different campsites for tent, trailer, and RV camping, in addition to 4 walk-in campsites, 6 platform campsites, 3 pioneer campsites, and 4 backcountry campsites. If you’d like to live in a little more comfort, there are also 15 fully equipped cottages for rent inside the park.
Miniature Putt Putt Golf
There’s a mini putt putt golf course open seasonally at Fort Mountain State Park, typically from late May throughout October. There’s a small fee to rent the equipment to play, but it’ll cost you just a few extra dollars and is a fun option if you’re looking for something else to do with your family (and especially kids) at the park.
Playground
Although I missed taking a photo of this during our own visit, there is a playground at Fort Mountain State Park, so if you have little ones, you might want to stop by and check it out!
Gift Shop
I recommend stopping by the Fort Mountain Gift Shop first thing before you begin any of your other adventures in the park. It’s a great place to pick up free maps of the park, talk to park staff, stock up on day hiking essentials, and get recommendations for whatever else you might be looking for. We actually bought a hiking stick in the gift shop as well, and now we take it along with us to all the hiking trips we take in Georgia. If you plan on camping or picnicking, you can also find other useful items–like ice for your drinks–here as well. There’s also plenty of souvenirs and gifts for sale.
FAQ for Fort Mountain State Park
How much does it cost to go to Fort Mountain State Park?
Entrance to the park costs a $5 per vehicle fee for parking for a full day. If you camp or stay overnight at the park, you only have to pay this $5 fee once, regardless of the duration of your stay. There are also annual passes available–called ParkPass–which will give you unlimited access to ALL of Georgia’s State Parks for just a $50 fee. You can view more info about the pass (and purchase one online) at gastateparks.org/ParkPass.
Is there cell service at Fort Mountain State Park?
Cell service can be difficult to find at Fort Mountain State Park, so be sure to stop by the Gift Shop to pick up a free park map to use during your stay!
How big is Fort Mountain State Park?
Fort Mountain State Park covers 4,058 acres total, making it one of the largest state parks in the entire state of Georgia. It also contains a 17-acre lake.
What town is Fort Mountain State Park in?
Fort Mountain State Park is located in small town Chatsworth, Georgia. It’s located approximately 90 miles north of Atlanta and can be reached by car with a little over an hour and a half drive.
What time does Fort Mountain open?
Fort Mountain State Park opens at 7 AM. Daily park hours are from 7 AM to 10 PM, but visitors may also camp or stay overnight with a reservation.
Are dogs allowed in Fort Mountain State Park?
Yes, dogs are allowed at Fort Mountain State Park, in addition to other state parks in Georgia! Dogs are welcome on state park trails and also allowed in tent and RV campgrounds.
Are there waterfalls at Fort Mountain State Park?
Yes, there are multiple waterfalls at Fort Mountain State Park. One of the best and biggest is a multi-tier waterfall that can be found at Goldmine Branch Creek on the Gahuti Trail. If you don’t have time for an 8-mile hike, you can opt for the much shorter Big Rock Nature Trail instead, and you’ll get to see pretty waterfalls while only having to complete a short, 0.75 loop that can be completed in less than an hour.
Note: The waterfalls at Fort Mountain are not as grand as other waterfalls that you can find at more popular Georgia State Parks such as Cloudland Canyon, Amicalola Falls State Park, or Tallulah Gorge, so if what you are looking for is a waterfall that will take your breath away, you might want to opt for one of those other parks instead. If you’re looking for a less-crowded, more laid back park, however, Fort Mountain is still a beautiful place full of gorgeous mountain views and pretty waterfalls.
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