Fort Mountain State Park is located between Chatsworth and Ellijay on Fort Mountain in Georgia. The state park was named for an ancient 885-foot-long (270 m) rock wall located on the peak. The park offers many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are 14 miles (23 km) of trails inside the park. The park is also known for its unique scenery, a mixture of both hardwood and pine forests and several blueberry thickets. In addition, the park contains a 17-acre (6.9 ha) mountain lake. Atop Fort Mountain itself is a tower constructed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Hunting map of the Cohutta area of Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
River and Stream Fishing map of the Cohutta area of Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of the Cohutta area of Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Visitor map of the East Portion of Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Visitor map of the West Portion of Conasauga Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Brochure of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites. Published by Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.
Fort Mountain SP
https://gastateparks.org/FortMountain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Mountain_State_Park
Fort Mountain State Park is located between Chatsworth and Ellijay on Fort Mountain in Georgia. The state park was named for an ancient 885-foot-long (270 m) rock wall located on the peak. The park offers many outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are 14 miles (23 km) of trails inside the park. The park is also known for its unique scenery, a mixture of both hardwood and pine forests and several blueberry thickets. In addition, the park contains a 17-acre (6.9 ha) mountain lake. Atop Fort Mountain itself is a tower constructed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Fort Mountain State Park Trail Map
405
301
407
301
408
407
201
407
West
Overlook
Big
Rock
Trail
401
302
#3
301
302
#4
Cool Springs
Overlook &
Gahuti Trailhead
P
P
ldm
Go
ine
301
Creek Tr
ail
410
#2
#1
GeorgiaStateParks.org/FortMountain
#5
401
Office
301
Gahuti Trail
301
P
PARK
ENTRANCE
52
52
412
n
Park Boundary
Ga
ho
r
ti Connecto
301
hut
Tr
ai
l
1/2 mile
Criminal trespass charges
and search & rescue costs
can be charged to parties
guilty of negligence or
failure to get user permits.
0
SCALE
52
Ellijay
1 mile
Since trails may be closed for
maintenance or inclement weather,
check with the Park Office to
ensure availability.
Pi
Permits required for all Bicycle, Equestrian and Backcountry Use
Park Boundary
Stone Wall
Trail
Fort Mtn.
tone
N. Sr Tr
e ail
Tow
P
#4
303
Mtn. Bike
Trailhead
Permit Required
P
Lake Trail
#6-15
52
Park Boundary
Park Boundary
P
303
P Picnic
Shelter 5
#1-5
Old Fort
Picnic Area
CCC S tone
Towe r Trail
#2
403
401
407
401
181 Fort Mountain Park Road • Chatsworth, Georgia 30705 • park: 706-422-1932 • emergency: 706-695-4592 • reservations: 1-800-864-7275
LEGEND
Pinhoti Connector Trail
Hiking Trails
Big Rock Trail
Campers Loop
CCC Stone Tower
Cool Springs Overlook
Gahuti Trail (Backcountry)
Creek Conn.
404
401
400
301
#1
#3
301
P
a
rk
Bo
ar
y
un
d
410
Goldmine Creek
Lake Trail (multi-purpose)
Multi-use 201
North Stone Tower
Stone Wall
Upper Cabin Access
West Overlook
Biking Trails
301
302
303
Horse Trails
401
400
403
404
Park Boundary
52
West Overlo o k Tr ail
Gahuti Trail
405
407
408
410
412
Parking
“You are Here”
Checkpoint Markers
Park Office
RV and Tent Camping
Pioneer Camping Area
Backcountry Campsite
Mountain Biking
Cottages
Overlook
Picnic Area
Paved Roads
Gravel Roads
Symbols
P
Horse Stables
Cliff
Mine
Road
Chatsworth
52
Park Boundary
i Tr
ail
Combination Trails
Accessibility for Selected Trails
Big Rock Trail
2350
2300
Mystery of Fort Mountain
High atop Fort Mountain are the rocky ruins of an ancient “stone
wall” with prehistoric origin steeped in legend. Generations of
archaeologists and historians have unsuccessfully sought to
unravel the riddle of this wall, one of several stone assemblages
scattered throughout the Southeast. More than 150 years after its
discovery, answers still evade us as to who built the wall, when
and for what purpose.
Theories abound, and one of the more realistic explanations
is that the wall was built around 500 A.D. by a tribe of Native
Americans for ceremonial or religious purposes. Others assert
the wall was built by wandering bands of Welsh explorers during
the 14th century as fortification against Indians. Welsh Prince
Madoc has been credited with building several stone petroglyphs
in the Southeast after supposedly sailing into Alabama. Another
theory, based on Cherokee legend, is that the wall was built by the
“Moon Eyes,” a race of light-skinned people who could see in the
dark because of their larger or paler eyes. Or perhaps Spanish
conquistadors, possibly Hernado de Soto, built the wall as a
defense against Indian attacks.
Since no artifacts have been found to support these theories, no
one knows who built the “wall of stones” zigzagging across the
southern face of the Cohutta mountain range’s most prominent
peak. This part of the southern Appalachian Mountains rises
above the Piedmont Plain and offers 80-mile views, making it an
ideal location for ceremonial practices or defensive needs.
The stone wall runs east and west for 855 feet, and its height
varies from two to six feet. Archaeologists believe it was much
higher before exploration and plunder by previous scientists
and treasure hunters. Adding to the mystery are 30 “pits” built
into the wall. Were these gun emplacements or symbolic to
some ceremonial practice of earlier inhabitants? Will the secrets
contained within these stones forever remain a mystery?
Trail Safety & Etiquette
• Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time.
• Be prepared for unexpected weather changes by dressing
in layers and carrying rain gear.
• Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and whistle.
• Three short blasts on a whistle are known as a call for help.
• Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay in one
location and wait for help. This will make it easier for
rescuers to find you.
• Pack out all trash.
• Keep pets on a leash.
• Do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife.
• Protect the landscape by staying on trails.
Mountain Biking Safety & Etiquette
• Wear a helmet.
• Bikers yield to hikers and horses.
• Announce your presence to others. When passing, a polite “On
your left” or “On your right” is suggested.
• Carry maintenance tools and replacement inner tubes.
• Prevent erosion by staying on trails and not skidding.
made by combining trails shown on the map
2800
2200
2750
2150
2700
2100 feet above sea level
clockwise
Compacted Natural Soil Surface
Avg. Gra
2020
2020
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2020 Guide to
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
High Falls
Table of Contents
Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14–15
Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 11, 13
Advertiser Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Chart of Accommodations & Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–7
2020 Guide to Georgia
State Parks & Historic Sites
Group Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
is published by:
Historic Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 42–45
Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division
Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2600 Hwy. 155 SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7286
State Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27–41
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites are operated
by the Department of Natural Resources. If you
need this in an alternate format, contact the DNR.
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites accept
no responsibility for errors of fact or omissi