Scout and Group Backcountry Info

There are many groups that enjoy hiking and backpacking on the Pine Mountain Trail. They include people who are experienced and some who are just starting out. They are high school students, families, college friends, Scouts, church groups and long-time trail members.

And we are getting even more popular each year. Many are coming to the PMT for the first time while some are already members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association.

Every week, people call or email us wanting information about the trail, about hiking and about backpack camping. The main ones are Scout units, church and school/college groups. They want help with planning hiking and backpacking trips to the PMT. We welcome the interest and are more than glad to help folks out.

You can find much of this information in the BACKCOUNTY CAMPING, MAPS & DIRECTIONS as well as the FAQ  section. We suggest reading these sections first.

Also, it is great if the group leader has a PMT map in hand when we talk. The maps are free to Scouts and groups. Simply email us with "PMT map request" in the subject line. Be sure to include an address so we can mail you a map, then we talk once or twice to work out details for a hike or backpacking trip.

We frequently like to review all of the trail and FDR park rules to keep everyone happy and the trails and woods in good shape. Our use of the area is a privilege we all share. If we treat it well, generations from now will be able to enjoy the land, too.

Most people know the rules/procedures and care about their fellow hikers. But some people get upset and take their anger out on the trail or on others. We have found trashed camp sites, trees cut on and trees cut down. Some group leaders have reacted in a disturbing manner when they didn’t get the campsite they requested and some have tried to get around the rules or have not even read the rules.

So for everyone, let’s review some of the rules and guidelines that are required by FDR State Park . Just so you will know, these are state park rules, not PMTA rules, although most all of them can be found on our PMTA website. (If you have a question about a FDR State Park or Georgia State Park rule concerning the Pine Mountain Trail, contact Don McGhee  manager of FDR State Park,  at 706-663-4858 .)

Hiking the PMT

Hiking is permitted on the PMT during daylight hours of FDR State Park operation. The Pine Mountain Trail Association and FDR State Park has a number of advertised group led "night hikes" through out the year.  So hiking /backpacking at night or hiking in so you are hiking any in the dark is not allowed by individuals and groups unless with a PMTA, or FDR park group. Groups are urged to plan their hikes to end BEFORE dark.

There is no charge to hike on the trails, and you do not have to be a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association to hike or backpack on the PMT.

Groups and individuals that just want to hike are encouraged to let someone at the FDR Park Office know of your planned route (and give them your cell phone number and vehicle information.)  Vehicles left at trail heads while hiking must have the appropriate daily use permit or Georgia State Annual Pass on them. Group leaders are to maintain sight and sound contact with minors at all times within FDR and other Georgia parks.  Leaders are urged to make and keep with them a list of all the group members and take a regular head count. Group leaders are urged to contact the FDR State Park's 24 hour number at 706-663-4256 as soon as you have any emergency or situation where you feel you are lost or turned around.  

Backpacking (camping overnight) on the PMT

Backpack camping along the Pine Mountain Trail is by permit only in designated named sites using designated fire-rings.

Permits must be obtained before you hit the woods.  If you are an organizational member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association, it is your responsibility to bring your up-to-date PMTA membership card with you to the FDR State Park office when obtaining your group’s no-charge backcountry permit.

Scout units should also bring their BSA Tour Permit issued by their local Scout council to the FDR office obtaining backcountry camping permits (they will make/keep a copy.) Per the permit, Scout units are to abide by their WILDERNESS USE POLICY which states in part:

• Contact the landowner or land-managing agency (Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agency, private landowner, etc.) well in advance of the outing to learn the regulations for that area and to obtain required permits and current maps.

and be reminded of the below BSA policy statement:

“The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America , or at any activity involving participation of youth members.

Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants.

All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis.”

(Note: thus evidence of tobacco use should NOT be found at any location used by a Scout unit).

If you have lost your PMTA membership card, call or write our membership chairman Jerry Brown (706-323-9422) or Jim Hall (706-569-0497) in advance of your trip for a replacement.  Organization cards are for the named organization use, not for individual use. If you are not a PMTA member or do not have a PMTA membership card, you will have to pay the regular FDR backcountry fees when you arrive.  Regular fees are $5 per person per night or $25 a group per night. (15-person group) Parking/daily use permits must still be paid for. All vehicles must have a Daily Use Permit/parking pass ($3 for regular vehicles when left overnight, more for larger vans and busses if parked during the day) and if left overnight while backpacking, a copy of the Backcountry Permit must be placed on the dash of each vehicle of the group.

You must camp in the designated site(s) you obtain a permit for and the limit is 15 per site. So if you have 23 in your group/troop, be prepared to split up and sign up for two campsites with a maximum of 15 at one site. I recently came upon a large group of Boy Scouts camping. Sadly and surprisingly, four leaders, when asked how many were camping together with them did not know the exact number of scouts. They also did not have a roster of scouts, which was a real concern. One young scout spoke up and said there were a total of 24 in the group.  The backpacking permit the leader finally showed me had 15 registered. I later learned the Scout leader signed the permit and told the FDR Park Manager he had only 15.  A large group for just one night can cause major impact on a campsite. This is an isolated incident by one Scout Troop, but it is troubling.

Backcountry permits for a specific named site are issued the first day of a backcountry trip. If you wish to camp for more than one night, you can choose the sites for all of the nights on the first day you obtain your permit.  If you want to make sure you have a backcountry site(s) available, you may get a reservation for a backcountry site through the Georgia Parks 800 number, but only a site, not a specific site. Site choice is on the "first come" basis once you arrive at the park office.  If you have someone get to FDR State Park early on a Friday or Saturday to get your permit that is fine, but your troop or group must arrive and have enough to hike in to your campsite before dark.  FDR managers have found leaders/adults and some youths arriving after dark who are hiking in to meet up with a troop or group. In the future, those found hiking in right at dark will not be allowed in. Everyone needs to arrive in time to hike in before dark. There is also a FDR rule that says backcountry permits will not be issued within two hours before dark to keep backpackers from hiking in at night. All of these rules prevent people from becoming lost or injured. They are most important.

Again, leaders/adults are reminded that Georgia Park rules state that minors should be under adult supervision at all times.  Keep your group together.  Faster older youth should not be allowed to hike way ahead on the trails.   All minors should be in voice or sight contact.

Having a campfire on the PMT is not guaranteed. Occasionally, when fire danger level/condition ratings are prime for a forest fire, a fire ban is enforced on the PMT.  We post FIRE BAN notices on this website also. You will be told about any fire ban when obtaining your backcountry permit, but you should already have checked with the park office before leaving home and be prepared for “stoves only” cooking. (Note: fire ban signs when needed will be posted at most trail-heads.)  When fires are allowed: Build campfires in designated fire-rings only.  Don't build a new fire-ring or move one. Keep fires small. Use only wood that is dead, down on the ground (not from standing dead trees).  Most certainly, no living or standing tree of any size should be cut in FDR State Park for firewood or any reason. Axes are not needed. A small folding or bow saw is all you need. 

If your trip is cut short for any reason, including weather, please contact the FDR State Park office or manager and let them know you are not using a backcountry site.  Again, if you have a physical emergency, contact the park managers first on their 24-hour phone number, 706-663-4256, which is also printed on our PMT map.  If you call 911 you may reach a 911 center in Harris or Meriwether County as the park traverses both counties.

When you obtain a Backcountry Permit, you can ask for free PMTA trash bags. On the bags we remind folks about not burning plastic, foil, cans or metal of any kind and glass. And to carry out all their trash and any other trash they find (Leave No Trace.) There are trash containers at all trailheads. With more than 3,000 backpackers and 60,000 hikers each year, we need improvement in some situations. We thank those of you who have followed the rules.  We hope that those who are not following the rules will have a change of heart so they will not endanger everyone’s privilege to camp on the PMT. 

FDR State Park does have a drive up 4 site camping area each with a picnic table, one eight-person three-sided shelter, water faucet and a pit-toilet (outhouse).  This area is called the Pioneer Area, which is just down the road from the FDR State Park Liberty Bell Swimming Pool area.  A reservation is required for this area (call the park at 706-663-4858 for information and fees).  The Pioneer Area is not part of the Pine Mountain Trail, but groups can reach the PMT from the Pioneer Area via the PMT Pool Trail. 

Main contact for hikes and backpacking information on the Pine Mountain Trail (or requesting maps) is Jim Hall at 706-569-0497 or email us at pmta@pinemountaintrail.org.

Scout leaders who need a service project or would like for someone from the PMTA to show them about trail building and maintenance may contact Carl Carlson at 706-628-5336 . 

In conclusion, I want readers to understand that we (the Pine Mountain Trail Association) are glad so many groups use the PMT and we are more than willing to help groups plan trips to the trail. In order for all groups and individuals to fully enjoy the PMT we must work to keep it maintained. Also, we must use some common sense, accept and follow the rules and guidelines that are for the good of all. Please remember that FDR and the PMT are great places we have the privilege of using.

For photos of the trail, see Recent Hikes and Photo Gallery