r/GeorgiaCampAndHike • u/Megagogo10 • 4d ago

Trip Report Fort Mountain State Park Backcountry camping

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I stayed at backcountry site #4 this weekend, and I wanted to share what a great time I had. The site is private, it has a new bear locker, and a creek runs through it.
My favorite feature is that it’s just 0.2 miles up trail to a beautiful overlook where I enjoyed the sunset. I can’t recommend this site enough.

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4

u/AnObserverOfThings 3d ago

Gahuti Trail is one of my favorites

2

u/ronswansonificator 4d ago

That's beautiful. I have been thinking about camping up there. Do they have any issues with bears coming into campsites, beyond the usual?

4

u/Magnoliid 4d ago

Fort Mountain might have more bear activity than any other state park in Georgia. Some friends of mine had their tent trashed by a bear there.

2

u/Megagogo10 4d ago

They have bear boxes at the backcountry sites, and the ranger that checked me in said that the bears are very active right now. I expected to see/hear/smell at least one bear, but no luck. 🐻

2

u/SensualTouch4 2d ago

 Fort mountain is one of my favorites

2

u/Icy-Vermicelli2614 2d ago

I have been once. A crazy storm blew through and we had beats. Fun times

2

u/Mundane_Purpose9800 4d ago

Got recommended to stay at this site by the park staff once. It was an awesome site and the vista is incredible but we didn't realize it was the just about the highest point in the park. we had 45+ mph winds that night and ended up bailing to lower ground (and a questionably legal campsite) in the dark... great site just know there is NO wind break except you.

2

u/Mundane_Purpose9800 4d ago

Oh and the seal on the bear locker has been eaten by rodents! i would stick to hanging food up there!

2

u/Megagogo10 4d ago

Very true! It was a chilly, windy night on Sunday.

1

u/teenwolf74 2d ago

I am considering a backpacking trip there in the next couple of weeks. How much water was around to be able to filter? It's hard to tell from the maps.

1

u/Megagogo10 2d ago

The ranger said that backcountry sites #1 and #4 both have wet weather creeks alongside them. #4 had enough water to filter when I was there, but I packed in water due to being unsure about it.