Fort Yargo State Park

We will be hiking about 7 easy miles of the trail around the lake. We should be finished hiking by 12:00 PM.  We will start at the Area B parking lot (this is NOT the main park entrance), which has a restroom nearby. The trail is a dirt trail which provides a challenge to mountain bikers as well as hikers.  Hikers travel opposite direction of bikers.  The hike will take us most of the way around the lake, terminating by crossing the bridge back to the parking lot near the boat launch.  We will be passing some of the established facilities on the first half of the hike with rest rooms.  Also on the trail is a section known as the 'Bird Berry Trail' which provides a diversity of habitat.  Much of the trail will hug the lake shore.  The remainder winds through sections of both pine and hardwood.  If we get lucky we may see some deer.  We may stop occasionally to look at interesting wildlife, plants or fungi.

Located between Atlanta and Athens, this popular park features a 1792 log fort built by settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. Today, visitors come to Fort Yargo for its wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery. Mountain bikers and hikers can test their endurance on 18 miles of trails. A 260-acre lake offers a large swimming beach, fishing and boat ramps. A disc golf course is heavily wooded and exceptionally challenging. Within the park is a group camp designed just for special-needs populations. Operated by the not-for-profit Camp Twin Lakes, Camp Will-A-Way is for children facing serious illnesses and other life challenges.

https://gastateparks.org/FortYargo

NOTE:  DO NOT GO TO THE MAIN PARK ENTRANCE.  Area B is about 1 mile before the main entrance.

Take hwy 85 N to exit 106 to GA-316 E (University Pkwy toward Lawrenceville/Athens)

go approx 21.2 miles and turn left on GA-81 N towards Winder (near Home Depot & Chik Fil A)

go approx 1.4 miles to the Area B entrance (by the fire station), and turn right (if you come to the main entrance to the park you have gone about 1 mile too far)

parking lot is a short distance on left

This event will not be cancelled due to weather, unless severe weather is predicted.  Be sure to bring rain gear if rain is forecast.

Dogs must be well behaved and get along with people and other dogs.  Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times in state parks.

You will need exact change for a parking tag, or you can go to the main park entrance to purchase a day pass. There is usually an employee in the booth at the Area B entrance on the weekends, so you should also be able to obtain a day pass from them... however you will still need exact change (cash) unless you go to the visitor center near the main entrance.

https://gastateparks.org/FortYargo

Parking fee of $5, unless you have an annual state park pass

This event will not be cancelled due to weather, unless severe weather is predicted.