Spent a week trailer camping, hiking and bike riding in Georgia for spring break.
Roosevelt park is listed as the largest state park in Georgia. It runs along
the ridge and one side of Pine Mountain. It encompasses the popular Pine Mtn
trail which is a well maintained 25 mile trail with many side loops and several
access points.
We had a GREAT hike along the 20 to 25 mile markers doing a loop known as
Wolf den loop. Including the connector trail that makes a loop it was about
6 1/2 miles. About 1/3 of that is along a small stream with many walk on the
rocks crossings and several water falls. They told us it was the most scenic
part of the trail and I won't argue that. They had a nice parking area with
picnic tables and signage at a TV tower which made it easy to find.
We were hiking on a beautiful Friday morning and only ecnountered one other
hiker.
Since the area had received a LOT of rain (like 5 or 6 inches) over the last
few days, the stream was over many of the rocks and the water falls were nice
and noisy. Still we were able to get'er done with dry socks by being careful
which submerged rocks we stepped on. Our boots are reasonably water proof
but many times there was only in an inch or two of water on the rocks.
There is history there in the Roosevelt summer home and a pretty decent RV/tent
campground with full features. The park office is a wonderful stone building
built by the CCC and it offers a beautiful view of the valley on the south
side of the mountain.
The campground had electricity and water at each site.
Clean restrooms with showers that stay on!! None of that push the button and
get 5 seconds of water. It also has a nice little lake with john boats for rent
and the kids can fish from the bank. Some camp sites are on the lake shore
and the rest are in the trees with decent shade.
Reservations suggested in season. We did OK with just driving down and
taking our chances BUT we arrived on Monday. The place filled up on the
next weekend.
The park is literally a 10 minute drive from the entrance to Callaway Gardens.
I can't say enough about that place! Imagine a botanical forest and botanical gardens with a bit of Disney World landscaping
all combined.
It's just GORGEOUS!!! The azaleas and dogwoods were in full fragrant bloom.
They have an indoor butterfly garden and indoor and outdoor botanical gardens
and lakes and miles of paved bike trails and a swimming beach and award
winning golf course and lakes and ponds and streams and gee golly shucks....
it's just too cool to describe.
If you have not "done" Callaway Gardens, it is way worth a one or two day
side trip on your next Florida vacation!!!
I promise you will not be disappointed.
http://www.callawaygardens.com
Roosevelt state park--
http://www.gastateparks.org/info/fdr/
Photo bucket photos of Callaway Gardens and a few of Pine Mountain trail.
http://tinyurl.com/c57cxh
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