Backpacking the Pine Mountain Trail, 3 days in the F.D. Roosevelt State Park, near Atlanta

Come on out to Georgia’s largest state park, only an hour from Atlanta, and cover 23 miles on the Pine Mountain Trail over the course of three days.

There are 16 backcountry campsites along the trail, so you choose where to stay based on your preferences (closer to the path or more isolated, campfires allowed or not, etc). At night listen out for the howling of coyotes.

During parts of the hike you can explore hardwood forest, but you’ll notice some parts are conspicuously bare. That’s because during the deadly 2011 tornado outbreak an F2 tornado destroyed several structures and altered many creatures’ habitats. The wildlife is slowly returning to the areas that were badly hit.

This is a fun trek which is not particularly strenuous since it doesn’t include much elevation gain. It’s perfect for those looking for a multi-day hike with plenty of camping options in a state park with interesting and diverse scenery. 

Check out other great excursions we offer like this half-day bouldering trip in Rocktown or this day hike to the summit of Mount Mitchell.