Experience Ft. Mountain State Park in Chatsworth Georgia
Fort Mountain (elevation 2840') is part of the Cohutta Mountain Range. 'Cohutta' is an English translation of a Cherokee word. It means 'a shad roof supported on poles,' and describes how the mountain seem to support the sky from a distance.
Fort Mountain was named for the stone structure located near the mountaintop that was throught to be a fort, although its exact origin is unknown. The wall is approximately 800 feet long, tow to three feet high, and runs the width of the mountain near the peak. The wall is in Fort Mountain State Park.
Created in 1934, most of the park's infra-structure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the CCC during the Great Depression. Citizens were put to work preserving the natural resources of the United States to combat the country's economic and social programs.
The Fort Mountain area CCC camp was one of many camps throughout the state. Young men used local stone to construct buildings, pavilions, and many of the steps and trails found throughout the park today.
See video of Fort Mountain State Park at the bottom of this page.
Mystery Shrouds Fort Mountain Marker
MYSTERY SHROUDS FORT MOUNTAIN
Plaque located at the trail head to the fort walls.
Inscription. The trail to the north of this site leads to the mysterious and prehistoric wall of loose rocks from which Fort Mountain takes its name. Many generations of explorers, archaeologists, geologists, historians and sight-seers have wondered about the identity of the unknown builders and the purpose of their handiwork.
From the brink of a cliff on the east side of the mountain, the wall extends 885 feet to another precipice on the west side. Its highest parts measure about seven feet but generally it rises to a height of two or three feet. There are 29 pits scattered fairly regularly along the wall, with the ruins of a gateway at one point.
Speculation regarding the builders and their purposecovers a wide field. It includes references to sun-worship and last-ditch defense by prehistoric white people, bloody warfare between rival Indian tribes, defense fortifications for Spanish conquistadors hunting gold and a honeymoon haven for Cherokee Indian newlyweds.
Nobody knows which of the many legends and theories is true and which false. The true answer still lies buried somewhere in antiquity and may never be unearthed.
Erected 1968 by Georgia Department of State Parks.
GPS Location. 34° 46.702′N and 84° 42.543′W.
Sign at Fire Tower
This Ancient Stone Fortification, 885 Feet in Length, 2832 Feet Above Sea Level, Was Give To The State Of Georgia For The Establishment of Fort Mountain State Park by Ivan Allen, Public Spirited Citizen of Georgia, In The Year 1934
The beach at Fort Mountain State park is very nice. There are plenty areas to relax in the shade or on the beach. The water is refreshing. There is a refreshment center and you can rental a paddle boat. There is even a pay phone right at the entrance of the beach.
There is no lifeguard on duty and you swim at your own risk. Your awareness and cooperation can keep our beaches safe.
Beach Rules: Stay within buoy area No pets on beach No glass containers on beach Intoxicants prohibited Fishing not allowed During storms or lightning, leave beach immediately Beach closed at sundown In case of emergency, please notify 911. The nearest pay telephone is at the beach house front entrance area.
Hours and Fees, Contact, Address, Driving Directions and Map
Park Hours - 7 am - 10 pm - $5 Parking Fee - Call to reserve and cancel campsites and cottages. Phone: 706-695-2621 at 8 am - 5 pm - Campsite and Cottage Reservations: 1-800-864-7275 - Address: 181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth Georgia 30705 - GPS Coordinates: N 34.7613010 and W -84.702702 - Located 8 miles east of Chatsworth via GA Hwy 52. Take I-75 Exit #333 off I-75 toward GA Hwy. Park Facilities Map
See Fort Mountain State Park video. Some of this park is seen from a bird's eye view.
State Park Waterfalls 
Fort Mountain (elevation 2840') is part of the Cohutta Mountain Range. 'Cohutta' is an English translation of a Cherokee word. It means 'a shad roof supported on poles,' and describes how the mountain seem to support the sky from a distance.
MYSTERY SHROUDS FORT MOUNTAIN
Sign at Fire Tower
