The mysterious wall at Fort Mountain State Park. Who built the ancient stone wall at Fort Mountain has been a mystery that archeologists, historians and visitors have been trying to solve for years.

Fort Mountain derives its name from an ancient 855-foot-long rock wall that stands on the highest point of the mountain. This mysterious wall is thought to have been built by Indians as fortification against more hostile Indians or for ancient ceremonies. Situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest, close to the Cohutta wilderness area, this 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 which wind through hardwood forests and blueberry thickets, occasionally crossing streams and providing spectacular vistas. During the summer, children will enjoy the sand beach located on the clear mountain lake.

The Wall at Fort Mountain State Park
The wall extends 875 feet around the south side of the mountain. It is 7 feet high in some places, with an average height of 2-to-3 feet. At intervals in the wall are little insets where one or two people can crouch down - perhaps to defend the mountain or in some type of religious service. The most widely accepted idea attributes the wall to the Cherokee Indians who perhaps built it as part of a religious sun-worshiping ritual. Another theory holds that a race of blue-eyed, white-skinned people built the wall. The story goes that a man named Prince Madoc left Wales in 1170 with 11 ships and 200 men and landed near what is now Mobile, Alabama. The men were repeatedly attacked by Indians and eventually retreated to what is now North Georgia. Being sun worshippers, they built the wall to extend from east to west so it was exposed to the arc of the sun. A precipice at each end gives an unobstructed view of the rising and setting sun.

Links:

• Read more about Fort Mountain State Park and the mysterious rock wall.

Members of Georgia State Parks Park Paddlers, earn a t-shirt for paddling 22 miles on park canoe trails. Canoeists on in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, a Park Paddlers canoe trip accessible via Stephen C. Foster State Park, are pictured above.

Join the Georgia State Parks Park Paddlers Club and experience canoeing or kayaking through Georgia’s rivers, mill ponds, lakes and even the celebrated Okefenokee Swamp. Get outdoors and explore the wildlife and nature on 22 miles of Georgia’s most beautiful waterways. Each of these six state parks offers a unique paddling experience. Explore 
salt marshes and sandbars; look for alligators and turtles; observe birds such as wood ducks, great blue herons, wood storks and eagles; and float past cypress trees and hardwood forests.

To participate, have your membership card punched at the park’s visitor center each time you paddle one of the listed canoe or kayak trails. Some sites may be affected by drought conditions and low water. Please make sure to call ahead and verify that the water trail is open.

All members must know how to swim, children must be 3 years of age or older, and personal flotation devices are required for everyone. You may bring your own canoe or kayak. Some sites or local outfitters provide rentals.

CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK (St. Marys, Ga.)
This 4-mile loop on the club’s only tidal river travels through salt marsh and past sandbars. Wildlife is abundant and paddlers often enjoy getting out to explore the sandbars. Look for dolphin, river otters, birds and perhaps even a manatee. Be sure you paddle with the tide and not against it. Strong winds can also affect the trail’s difficulty. The park offers no boat rental, but guided trips are sometimes scheduled. A nearby outfitter provides canoe and kayak rentals. (912) 882-5256

GEORGE L. SMITH STATE PARK (Twin City, Ga.)
Paddle 3 miles to Highway 80 (a 6-mile round trip). Explore the mill pond that is home to blue heron and white ibis while passing by Spanish moss-draped tupelo and cypress trees. There is a slight current, and wind conditions may affect your speed. The lake narrows toward the bridge. To stay on the trail, follow reflectors on the trees - the Middle (Red) Trail, the Right (Blue) Trail and the Left (Yellow) Trail. Canoe rentals are available. (478) 763-2759

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS STATE PARK (Millen, Ga.)
This less-than-a-mile trail is the shortest paddle and a good beginner experience. Canoe the perimeter of 28-acre Lake Magnolia looking for alligators, turtles, wood duck nesting boxes, beaver lodges, great blue herons, wood storks and many other birds. Canoe rentals are available. You can bring your bicycle and try the 3-mile Muddy Spokes Club trail, too. (478) 982-1660

REED BINGHAM STATE PARK (Adel, Ga.)
The park will shuttle paddlers to Red Roberts Landing at Rountree Bridge, where paddlers will go 3.5 miles back to the park’s main boat ramp. This is called the Rountree Run. This park is known for its “buzzard” population during the winter months when thousands of vultures roost in the trees and soar overhead. You can also see eagles with a nest that is rebuilt every year right near the river, as well as catch a glance of the rare limpkin. Canoe rentals are available. (229) 896-3551

STEPHEN C. FOSTER STATE PARK (Fargo, Ga.)
Paddle the Okefenokee Swamp on a 4-mile round trip to historic Billy’s Island. Even in low water this trail provides breathtaking scenery. While the current is minor, the paddle can be challenging on windy days. Be on the lookout for alligators, turtles and other wildlife. There is also a nearby hiking trail to stretch your legs. The park rents both canoes and kayaks. (912) 637-5274

SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK (Lithia Springsl Ga.)
Paddle the perimeter of this pretty reservoir near Atlanta, then loop out to and around the water control tower on a 3-mile trail. Canoes are rented every day except Monday from the bait shop. (770) 732-5871

Once you have paddled all 22 miles and received all 6 punches, mail your 
membership card to: Marketing & Communications Department, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites 2 MLK, Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 1354 EastTower, Atlanta, GA 30334.

Your card will be returned, along with a t-shirt bragging about your accomplishment. Remember, some of these trails have slight currents, and wind and weather conditions may affect your speed. Some sites may be affected by drought conditions and low water. Please call ahead to verify that the water trail is open. Wear your life vest, take plenty of water and 
enjoy the challenge! (770) 389-7401

This suspension bridge 80 feet above the rocky bottom spans the spectacular gorge in Tallulah Falls State Park.

One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern US, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a free permit (limit 100 per day) to hike down to the gorge floor. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Exhibits in the park’s Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center highlight the rich history of this Victorian resort town, as well as the rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem of the area. Additionally, an award-winning film takes viewers on a dramatic journey through the gorge.

Links:

• Learn more about Tallulah Gorge and its geology and spectacular waterfalls by watching this 3-minute video.
• View a gallery of photos of Tallulah Gorge by environmental photographer Beth Maynor Young.
• Explore Tallulah Gorge by following one of these four Tallulah Gorge hiking trails by Georgia hiking authority, Tim Homan.
• Read more about Tallulah Gorge, one of Georgia’s most interesting natural areas.
• Download a pdf file of the most recent trail map brochure for Tallulah Gorge State Park. Printed trail map brocures are also available at the park office.
• Read more about Tallulah Gorge State Park.

 Georgia > West Central Region > Harris County > Pine Mountain

F. D. Roosevelt State Park near Warm Springs make a perfect staging area for a hike on the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. There is a link below to a hiking guide to the scenic trail along the southernmost mountain ridge in Georgia. Several of the structures within the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression like the park headquarters building, above.

Located near Callaway Gardens and the town of Warm Springs, F. D. Roosevelt State Park is deeply rooted in the historical era of four-time President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Seeking a place for treatment after he was stricken with polio in 1921, Roosevelt traveled to nearby Warm Springs and built his Little White House. Several structures within the park were built by Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Above Kings Gap is Dowdell’s Knob, Roosevelt’s favorite picnic spot overlooking a magnificent view of the valley below. A life-size sculpture of the beloved president welcomes visitors to the overlook. Hikers will enjoy the scenic trails in Georgia’s largest state park, especially the Pine Mountain Trail, which winds through a mix of hardwoods and pines. The trail’s highest elevation is 1,395 feet. Pine Mountain is on the southern-most edge of the Appalachian Mountain range. Hikers are sometimes surprised to find this terrain in middle Georgia.

Links:

• Read more about F. D. Roosevelt State Park.
• Read a hiking guide to the Pine Mountain Trail.
• Read more about Pine Mountain.

Black Rock Mountain State Park in Rabun County in the northeast corner of Georgia is the highest park in the state. The Tennessee Rock trail covers 2.2 miles of moderate hiking.

SUMMARY:
Trail Name: Tennessee Rock Trail
Open to: Hiking
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Nearest City: Mountain City, Rabun County

In a relatively short distance, this trail passes through several distinct environments. The entire trail is above 3,000 feet in altitude, and the first mile is located on the north side of the Blue Ridge. This cool, moist environment nourishes the growth of a variety of wildflowers, including lady slippers and umbrella leaf. Three popular coves are found along this section of the trail. As it passes through the second of these coves, the trail lies immediately below the summit of Black Rock Mountain (3,640 feet), which is just high enough to have on its north face a small boulder field containing herbs, such as blue cohosh, that are indicative of moist, high elevations. The trees among the rocks are primarily basswood and black birch, and the area provides fine wildflower displays in the spring and summer. After leaf fall, clumps of intermediate wood fern and alum root are visible.

Near the western border of the park, the trail passes through an almost pure stand of white pine, which seeded in after intensive logging of hardwoods prior to the establishment of the park. After leaving this pine forest, the trail climbs rather steeply to the summit of Black Rock Mountain, and then follows the Blue Ridge crest to Tennessee Rock Overlook. This entire section of trail is above 3,600 feet in altitude. There is much rock, and the red oaks are stunted and lichen-covered; rosebay rhododendron is prevalent. Beyond Tennessee Rock, the trail remains on the crest of the ridgeline for several hundred yards before descending back to the trailhead parking area. Numbered posts along the entire length of the trail correspond to a fully illustrated, 32-page trail guide, which interprets various aspects of the park’s natural features. This booklet is available at the park visitor center for a small fee.

Links:

• Read more about Black Rock Mountain State Park and its natural environment.

Outdoor enthusiasts who want to help preserve natural areas can show their support and save money by joining the Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. A popular benefit of membership is the free Annual ParkPass, which exempts visitors from paying daily parking fees. Membership levels begin at $35, just $10 more than the price of a ParkPass. Other benefits include six passes to a state historic site, such as Dahlonega Gold Museum or Kolomoki Indian Mounds, and a gift shop discount. An added benefit of Friends membership is the incentive to explore Georgia. “I am still amazed by the variety of experiences that our parks offer even though I have lived in Georgia and enjoyed the parks my entire life,” said Friends President Tom Johnson.

The $25 Annual ParkPass exempts visitors from paying the $2 to $4 parking fee at places such as Amicalola Falls, Red Top Mountain, Georgia Veterans and Tallulah Gorge. Each year the ParkPass program generates more than $2 million for improvements at state parks and historic sites. Last year, funds were used to renovate campground bathhouses, install a fire protection system at a historic Cherokee home, control erosion around cottages, repair a dam spillway, and other projects.

The Friends are a growing group of people who support parks and historic sites in a variety of ways, including volunteering, contributing financially, or seeking legislative support for the sites. Benefits increase with each level of membership and can be seen at www.friendsofgastateparks.org. To join, call 1-888-948-2092.

To purchase an Annual ParkPass, stop by any Georgia state park office or call 770-389-7401. The cost is $25, and discounts are offered to seniors and disabled veterans. ParkPasses are not valid at Stone Mountain, Lake Lanier Island, Jekyll Island or the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area because these properties are not state parks operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. For a complete list of state parks, visit www.gastateparks.org.

This Civil War photo shows the earthworks at Fort McAllister on the Ogeechee River south of Savannah. The visitor to Fort McAllister State Historic Site today sees the best preserved earthworks of the Confederacy. (See thumbnail photo, below).

Located on the bank of the Great Ogeechee River south of Savannah, this park is the home of the best preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. The sand and mud earthworks were attacked seven times by Union ironclads, but did not fall until captured in 1864 by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman during his “March to the Sea.” Nestled among giant live oaks and beautiful salt marsh, this park is a quiet location for camping, hiking, fishing and picnicking. The park’s Civil War museum features an interior designed to resemble a bombproof, containing exhibits and artifacts, a video and gift shop. Three cottages sit on stilts at the marsh edge, surrounded by palm trees and palmettos. The campground is bordered by tidal Redbird Creek, a boat ramp and nature trail.

Links:

• Read more about Fort McAllister State Historic Site.

Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites experiences, comments, ideas and opinions from Brown’s Guides readers, contributors and editorial staff. Readers may also comment on past posts. Look for previous posts in “Categories,” “Archives,” or “Tags,” all accessible in the left-hand column.

 Georgia > Northeast Region > White County > Helen

Unicoi Lodge near Helen in the Northeast Georgia Travel Region. The Unicoi restaurant serves buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In the midst of the Chattahoochee National Forest, located just two miles from the Alpine Village of Helen, the Lodge at Unicoi State Park is a beautiful setting for all of your group needs. For group conferences, high-speed wireless Internet services will allow you to bring your office systems with you. When the workday comes to an end, our guests can enjoy the park’s 12 miles of nature and hiking trails, lake and trout stream fishing, four lighted tennis courts, softball and volleyball area, picnic facilities, world class mountain bike trail and year-round schedule of activities.

The Unicoi State Park Lodge offers full-service catering and is fully equipped to handle private meals and receptions for up to 500 people. Our Group Sales and Catering Staff are ready to assist group leaders in planning all types of food and beverage functions from banquets to receptions and meeting breaks! Buffet and plated menus are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner banquet functions, offering traditional or specialty menus. We can even customize box lunches for groups on the go! The group sales and catering team at the Unicoi State Park Lodge is happy to work with groups to accommodate specially tailored menus or requests.

The Unicoi Restaurant, with fireplace setting, serves buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant seats 175 people and features a spectacular view of the North Georgia Mountains.

Links:

• Read more about Unicoi State Park and Lodge.

A casual outing with the family or an overnight backpacking adventure, a Georgia State Park has a trail for you.

Almost every state park has hiking trails, ranging from easy lake loops to longer, more challenging journeys.

Trails for Kids
Some trails that are popular for hiking with children include those at Hamburg, Magnolia Springs, Panola Mountain, Reed Bingham, Skidaway Island, Sweetwater Creek and Watson Mill Bridge state parks.

Hard-Surface Trails
Hard-surface trails suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are found at Amicalola Falls, John Tanner, Mistletoe, Panola Mountain, Red Top Mountain, Reed Bingham, Stephen C. Foster and Tallulah Gorge state parks.

Backcountry Trails
More challenging backcountry trails are found at Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, F.D. Roosevelt, Fort Mountain, Providence Canyon, Unicoi and Vogle. Primitive camping is allowed along some backcountry trails (permits required).

Trail Maps
Trail maps are available at park offices.