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Learn Moregastateparks.org/FortMountain
Why we love it: Beautiful trails; scenic lake; historic intrigue
Closest town: Chatsworth, Ga.
Drive time from Chattanooga: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Fort Mountain State Park is renowned for the beauty of its trails and the mystery surrounding some of the stone structures you'll encounter along the way. The park actually takes its name from one of them: an 885-foot-long rock wall. Other structures that dot the 3,712-acre park harken back to the Civilian Conservation Corps, but as for the slightly haphazard wall, no one knows who - or what - left it.
As blueberry season gets underway this month, you'll also find yourself rambling through thickets of them via the nearly 40 miles of rolling trails, which welcome horses and mountain bikers as well. While the park does not necessarily boast the most revered camping around, there is definitely enough to see and do to make you want to spend several nights here. And, between the dozens and dozens of campsites including walk-in, platform, pioneer and backcountry, there are a plethora of options when it comes to the level of camping you'll do. If the only way you wake up ready for adventure is in a bed, there are even cottages - two of which are dog-friendly!
The park is home to tons of family activities - geocaching and archery, to name a few. There's even a miniature golf course. June 11-12, all those activities will be highlighted in a special family-fun "Get Outdoors" weekend.
Moon-eyed people?
The major landmark in the park is a source of much historical debate. Though no one knows for sure, some say the 885-foot-long rock wall was constructed in 500 A.D. for religious purposes. Supposedly, the sun illuminates one side at sunrise and the other at sunset. The Native Americans placed extreme importance on the sun and moon. Some say the wall is even older - perhaps dating back to 500 B.C. But the most interesting creation tale involves the Moon-Eyed People.
Cherokee legend tells of a race of small, pale white, bearded men who lived underground, only coming out at night. Some say the local Indians built the wall to protect themselves from these men (while still others say it was to protect against other warring tribes); others that the Moon-Eyed People built it during a war with the Indians. This legend has been tied to that of the Welsh Prince Madoc, who may have visited the New World well before Columbus and whose supposed descendants are hypothesized to have evolved into a tribe of Welsh-speaking Indians (for which lore abounds throughout history as well).
Summertime fun
Another of the CCC's legacies in the park is their man-made, sprawling 17-acre lake, which features a swimming beach and is situated just down from the main camping area. Come Memorial Day weekend, when the lake opens for the season, you can even rent a boat, kayak, canoe, standup paddleboard or pedal boat.
Casting about
If you prefer to experience the lake from the shore, fishing is allowed year-round and offers a chance to catch bream, channel catfish and largemouth bass.
From the horse's back
The park is a prime place to experience the area's lush scenery from a saddle. Fort Mountain State Park is outfitted with stables offering guided horse rides, and just up the road is Fort Mountain Stables. If you have your own horses, you can board or camp with them there.
CCC landmarks
The fire tower left by the CCC has become a hallmark of the park. And, until May 29, you have the option of a free guided tour of the recently restored monument every Saturday and Sunday.
Spiritual side
Lore concerning the park abounds. A widely circulated photo on the Internet supposedly shows a young man escorted by a phantasm reminiscent of "The Ring." Two days after the photo was taken - in, you guessed it, Fort Mountain State Park - the man mysteriously died of a heart attack. Only after his death did his friends develop the photos and see the woman beside him.
Learn More: gastateparks.org/FortMountain