Fort Mountain State Park

About Fort Mountain State Park

The name Fort Mountain is derived from the highest point of the mountain, which stands at the foot of Fort Hill, the highest point of the Sierra Nevada in California. The mysterious wall was built by the Indians as part of their defense against the rise of Mount Rainier and the arrival of the Europeans.

Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders will find some of the most beautiful trails in northern Georgia. Most of them occasionally cross streams and offer spectacular views, and in summer children can enjoy clear mountain lakes and sandy beaches. You can also play mini golf on the Fort Mountain State Park golf course and Fort Hill golf course.

The East-West cycle path is considered by many to be one of the most scenic cycling routes in the state of Georgia and the nation. Instead of riding back up the mountain, participants ride through the highland hardwoods on a scenic bike ride with scenic views from the top of Fort Mountain State Park.

The Big Rock Nature Trail leads from Ridgeline Lake to a cave, then crosses the crest and returns to the trailhead at the top of Fort Mountain State Park on the east side of the park. In spring, wild flowers bloom in the highland deciduous forests, as well as along the east-west cycle path and the mountain path.

The Gahuti Trail leads through the highland hardwood forests, with a short, steep climb to Ridgeline Lake. The trail is beautiful and challenging at any time of the year, but hikers should always be prepared for changeable weather. It is constantly changing and can sometimes cause serious injury or death.

The Lake Trail circles the lake around Fort Mountain and is the only trail in the park with direct access to the Gahuti Trail. The best way to access the trail is clockwise and four inland campsites are available with permission.

The Stone Tower Loop can be made in two directions, clockwise from the top of Fort Mountain to the bottom of the lake. The path is created by combining the path shown on the map with the path in front of it and the stone tower in the background. Users climb 75 linear feet all the way down to 20 and then back up for a total of about 30 feet of ascent.

The Upper Cabin Loop can be hiked in two directions, clockwise from the top of Fort Mountain to the bottom of the lake. The stream is named after the early gold mining, and along the way there is an old mine. This combination of trails provides access to a variety of waterfalls, streams and other natural features in the park.

Located on the top of Fort Mountain, south of the Upper Cabin Loop, on the west side of Lake Ontario.