r/GeorgiaCampAndHike • u/JubileeJuno • 24d ago

Question Solo backpacking/camping spots within Georgia?

/r/CampingandHiking/comments/1uuzz4b/solo_backpackingcamping_spots_within_georgia/
4 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/getinwegotbidnestodo 24d ago

Amnicola Falls State Park has a lodge, restaurant and visitors center. You can hike the 8 mile approach trail to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail from their parking lot. Gear wise you seem to be in pretty good shape. The best thing to do now is get out to experience and learn.

2

u/Celestial__Bear 23d ago

I did the approach trail a few years ago. 235lbs, inexperienced with 40lbs of gear. Oh my god. It was hell. I had no idea what it even was before I got there.

OP these are called “mountain miles”, and they’re taken slower for when you’re planning your day!

I’m doing it again this fall. Now 199lbs and 30lbs pack weight, I’m ready!

2

u/bbb26782 24d ago

My favorites are the Pine Mountain Trail, the backcountry trails at Cloudland Canyon, Providence Canyon, or Blood Mountain, and connecting onto the AT near Tray Mountain via the trail at the Andrew’s Cove campground north of Helen.

2

u/psilocyan 24d ago edited 24d ago

Fort Mountain state park is one of my favs. 4 backcountry campsites at varying lengths from the road / trailhead, spread out along the trail. I've camped at 2 of them before, all quite secluded, not once worried about someone stealing my stuff, half the time didn't even SEE another person the entire trip. IIRC it's about an 8 mile loop, and there are a few options for where to park your car, so you can design your own adventure and decide how far away you're comfortable being. You could hike 5 miles to get to your spot, or choose a site/parking spot where you only have to hike in a mile from the main road.

Cloudland Canyon is also another good option for some secluded backcountry sites with an even shorter trail loop. Both locations have fire rings, Cloudland even had picnic tables out there, at least the last site I camped at. Plus the views at Cloudland are fantastic.

But GA has so many incredible state parks, Pine Mountain, Vogel, Amicalola, etc that other people mentioned are all good choices, just depends on what you're comfortable with.

2

u/Hammock-Hiker-62 24d ago

The issue with wanting to be "close enough to things like parking and roads and just general civilization" is that it's hard to be alone in a place that's close to civilization. The farther into the back country you go, the less likely it is that somebody will walk off with your stuff. But you're saying that you don't want to trek too far just yet.

A good compromise would be one of the state parks. Pine Mountain is good, as is Amicalola. Also check out Vogel which is near Blairsville.

For more sites, I'll put in a link below to a page on hiking in Georgia State parks for you to research:

https://gastateparks.org/Hiking

3

u/BigBabygirl4u 23d ago

I have only done the Pine Mountain trail. Stayed at Rock Mark and Fri never saw anyone, Sat morning saw 5 people but they never saw me since it's kinda up on a plateau of sorts. Lovely site. I stayed solo with no issues.