Permits for Parking & Backcountry Camping (REVISED 6/2026)
Only ONE Backcountry permit (for one individual, couple or group) will be issued for each of the 21 backcountry campsites. Reservations on-line a must. Walk-in/non reservation permits can still be issued at the park office on first come basis for sites not on-line reserved already. Groups can use sites up to capacity for a campsite, within total tent/hammock limits on the Site Descriptions chart on this website
Parking Permits for Backpacking and just day hiking:
If you park anywhere within FDR State Park (roadside or in named parking areas) you must have purchased and display a annual Georgia Park Pass or purchase a Daily Park Use fee pass. There are now Self Pay Park Pass signs with a QR code located throughout the park at most trailheads (and as shown as SPB on the Pine Mountain Trail map on maps 2024 and older, new 2026 maps say SPS/Self Pay Sign). There are none at present west of the park office (so no pass signs at Buzzard's Roost or Overlook Parking Area). Paper/dangler passes are available at the park office/visitors center. Yes, a pass is required at the Mile 23 -WJSP-TV Tower Parking Lot (Parking anywhere at the WJSP-TV tower area is within FDR State Park). There are 2 Self Pay signs at Dowdell's Knob (Trailhead and near the FDR Statue in the picnic area at Dowdell Knob.) NOTE: When you purchase a pass via the QR code you will be required to input your vehicle tag number. Park rangers will use a "tag reader" to see if you have purchased a pass. The Ranger will first look for a paper dangler or annual pass and then scan your tag. No pass displayed or no tag number in his tag scanner, you will be issued a parking ticket citation by mail. So....if you need to purchase a daily pass to park at an area that does not have SELF PAY sign, you have to drive to office or a parking area that has a self pay sign and purchase one before parking. You can still purchase a paper dangler Daily Pass at the park office (The Park office takes cash and most debit and credit cards). The fee for regular size passenger vehicles and vans is $10 as of 1/2026. A 12 month annual pass are available at the park office for a vehicle (van/bus) up to 15 persons. For larger vans and buses fees, call the park office at 706-663-4858. NOTE: The parking area off the park at west end of the PMT known as the GA DOT Pine Mountain Trail/Man O' War Trailhead, does NOT require a park pass (a free parking area.) and is the only place to park and access the trails without a GA Park Pass. From that parking area you cross the road at the intersection of GA 190/US 27 and up GA 190 it is 380 feet to Pine Mountain Trail Mile 0 and on the north side of the road is the start of the Chestnut Oak Trail.
You should be aware of these fees before driving to FDR State Park. The daily pass is just for daytime parking. Vehicles left overnight (while backpacking) must also have displayed on the dash the blue copy of your backcountry permit.
If you park anywhere within FDR State Park (roadside or in named parking areas) you must have purchased and display a annual Georgia Park Pass or purchase a Daily Park Use fee pass. There are now Self Pay Park Pass signs with a QR code located throughout the park at most trailheads (and as shown as SPB on the Pine Mountain Trail map on maps 2024 and older, new 2026 maps say SPS/Self Pay Sign). There are none at present west of the park office (so no pass signs at Buzzard's Roost or Overlook Parking Area). Paper/dangler passes are available at the park office/visitors center. Yes, a pass is required at the Mile 23 -WJSP-TV Tower Parking Lot (Parking anywhere at the WJSP-TV tower area is within FDR State Park). There are 2 Self Pay signs at Dowdell's Knob (Trailhead and near the FDR Statue in the picnic area at Dowdell Knob.) NOTE: When you purchase a pass via the QR code you will be required to input your vehicle tag number. Park rangers will use a "tag reader" to see if you have purchased a pass. The Ranger will first look for a paper dangler or annual pass and then scan your tag. No pass displayed or no tag number in his tag scanner, you will be issued a parking ticket citation by mail. So....if you need to purchase a daily pass to park at an area that does not have SELF PAY sign, you have to drive to office or a parking area that has a self pay sign and purchase one before parking. You can still purchase a paper dangler Daily Pass at the park office (The Park office takes cash and most debit and credit cards). The fee for regular size passenger vehicles and vans is $10 as of 1/2026. A 12 month annual pass are available at the park office for a vehicle (van/bus) up to 15 persons. For larger vans and buses fees, call the park office at 706-663-4858. NOTE: The parking area off the park at west end of the PMT known as the GA DOT Pine Mountain Trail/Man O' War Trailhead, does NOT require a park pass (a free parking area.) and is the only place to park and access the trails without a GA Park Pass. From that parking area you cross the road at the intersection of GA 190/US 27 and up GA 190 it is 380 feet to Pine Mountain Trail Mile 0 and on the north side of the road is the start of the Chestnut Oak Trail.
You should be aware of these fees before driving to FDR State Park. The daily pass is just for daytime parking. Vehicles left overnight (while backpacking) must also have displayed on the dash the blue copy of your backcountry permit.
SHUTTLES for HIKERS AND BACKPACKERS.
There are not any of the pay for fee services in the area. FDR State Park folks don't do shuttles. Currently we do not have anyone who lives near the park/trail available to do shuttles on a regular basis, HOWEVER: Some have posted shuttle request to our PMTA Facebook page and get response from folks willing to give a shuttle. These are not to be considered free, so be prepared to pay for service. NOTE: Hikers and backpackers, if a bad weather situation comes up or you are injured on hike/backpacking trip, the park rangers may be able to pick you up at a trailhead to take you off the trail. Park Emergency numbers posted on the back and front of the trail map and on stickers posted all along the trails.
Backcountry permits for the Pine Mountain Trail.
Even if you have reservations, you still must go by the FDR State park office at least two hours before dark (during park office hours 8-5) and fill out/receive your actual backcountry permit that is to be attached to your pack and they are issued only on the day you start out backpacking. If you don't have reservations you may call to see what is available, then you must come to the park office and see what backcountry campsites are available (if any) at that time of the which is thus "first come" basis for unreserved sites.
As you enter the park office, to the left back corner under the stairs is an area with a large trail map and blank backcountry permits. Review the map where you'd like to hike or if you have backcountry reservations, then grab a permit and fill in your name, address and vehicle tag information only. You will need to do this even if you have reservations. Then go to the counter where the clerk or park manager on duty will help you fill in the rest of the permit including campsite and parking location (for trail entry and exit point.) You'll need the tag numbers of all vehicles you are using/driving and leaving at a trailhead to record on the backpacking permits and permit holders’ drivers’ license (for clerks to photo copy).
The individual Backcountry permit fee as of 11/1/2022 is now $12.00 per night per person up to a group of 5. For a group/family permit for 5 or more the fee is $60.00 per night. In addition to the backcountry permit, you will still need to purchase a one-time daily parking permit for every car parked on park property. Thus you will only have to pay for one permit (ie $10) for each vehicle regardless if you stay one night or several days.
Backcountry camping fees are waived for Pine Mountain Trail Association Members upon presentation of a valid, active in-date PMTA membership card at the park office. NOTE: the park does not have record of PMTA members, so the membership card is a must have. PMTA members can make site online reservations, and hold- charge for reservation will be made then backed off their credit card upon arrival at the park office. Again, just fill out the permit and take to the clerk on duty, tell of your reservation and show your valid PMTA membership card. CLICK HERE TO SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO BACKPACKERS.
See SITE DESCRIPTIONS on this website for details before making a reservation so you will know/read about the various sites and if there is room for tents/hammock if you have a group. . NOTE: Thus, in the shorter daylight days/winter time, if dark is say 6 pm, you must make it to the park office no later than 4 pm.
You may make reservations online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://www.georgiastateparks.org/ or by calling 1-800-864-7275 8:00 am - 8:00 pm during the week and 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekends. There is no additional fee for the 800# or online service. Click here to go to Ga State Parks page for FDR.
Once on this page on the left you will see a box. Under LOOP, click and choose BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE -Leave SITE # blank. - Under LOOKING FOR, then choose TENT. Enter how many occupants. Go down to ARRIVAL DATE and choose a date. Go to LENGTH of STAY and put in number of nights you wish to stay. Then Click on SEARCH…..Then you can scroll down and see a list of all the campsites by name and. The sites are now listed in the order west to east as they are on the map. have a dark blue small box Choose then from an available site. NOTE: Before choosing a site, you can look at photos and read directions to each site on our website SITE DECRIPTIONS page. Any questions? Call Jim Hall with trail association for clarification. 706-325-4113
*NOTE: Arriving two hours before dark also applies to ALL in a group. No one may come late and catch up/hit the trail later. Idea per park rule: Is get all in a group on the trail, to their campsite BEFORE dark. No hiking after dark.
Park rules state that each site can have a certain number of persons/tents per site per night. See our SITE DESCRIPTIONS section on this website for how many each site will hold. NOTE: if you are a Scout unit and say have 25 boys, be prepared to split up into two sites if available (unless you choose Turtle Hollow Campsite and it is available. ).
There are not any of the pay for fee services in the area. FDR State Park folks don't do shuttles. Currently we do not have anyone who lives near the park/trail available to do shuttles on a regular basis, HOWEVER: Some have posted shuttle request to our PMTA Facebook page and get response from folks willing to give a shuttle. These are not to be considered free, so be prepared to pay for service. NOTE: Hikers and backpackers, if a bad weather situation comes up or you are injured on hike/backpacking trip, the park rangers may be able to pick you up at a trailhead to take you off the trail. Park Emergency numbers posted on the back and front of the trail map and on stickers posted all along the trails.
Backcountry permits for the Pine Mountain Trail.
Even if you have reservations, you still must go by the FDR State park office at least two hours before dark (during park office hours 8-5) and fill out/receive your actual backcountry permit that is to be attached to your pack and they are issued only on the day you start out backpacking. If you don't have reservations you may call to see what is available, then you must come to the park office and see what backcountry campsites are available (if any) at that time of the which is thus "first come" basis for unreserved sites.
As you enter the park office, to the left back corner under the stairs is an area with a large trail map and blank backcountry permits. Review the map where you'd like to hike or if you have backcountry reservations, then grab a permit and fill in your name, address and vehicle tag information only. You will need to do this even if you have reservations. Then go to the counter where the clerk or park manager on duty will help you fill in the rest of the permit including campsite and parking location (for trail entry and exit point.) You'll need the tag numbers of all vehicles you are using/driving and leaving at a trailhead to record on the backpacking permits and permit holders’ drivers’ license (for clerks to photo copy).
The individual Backcountry permit fee as of 11/1/2022 is now $12.00 per night per person up to a group of 5. For a group/family permit for 5 or more the fee is $60.00 per night. In addition to the backcountry permit, you will still need to purchase a one-time daily parking permit for every car parked on park property. Thus you will only have to pay for one permit (ie $10) for each vehicle regardless if you stay one night or several days.
Backcountry camping fees are waived for Pine Mountain Trail Association Members upon presentation of a valid, active in-date PMTA membership card at the park office. NOTE: the park does not have record of PMTA members, so the membership card is a must have. PMTA members can make site online reservations, and hold- charge for reservation will be made then backed off their credit card upon arrival at the park office. Again, just fill out the permit and take to the clerk on duty, tell of your reservation and show your valid PMTA membership card. CLICK HERE TO SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO BACKPACKERS.
See SITE DESCRIPTIONS on this website for details before making a reservation so you will know/read about the various sites and if there is room for tents/hammock if you have a group. . NOTE: Thus, in the shorter daylight days/winter time, if dark is say 6 pm, you must make it to the park office no later than 4 pm.
You may make reservations online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://www.georgiastateparks.org/ or by calling 1-800-864-7275 8:00 am - 8:00 pm during the week and 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on weekends. There is no additional fee for the 800# or online service. Click here to go to Ga State Parks page for FDR.
Once on this page on the left you will see a box. Under LOOP, click and choose BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE -Leave SITE # blank. - Under LOOKING FOR, then choose TENT. Enter how many occupants. Go down to ARRIVAL DATE and choose a date. Go to LENGTH of STAY and put in number of nights you wish to stay. Then Click on SEARCH…..Then you can scroll down and see a list of all the campsites by name and. The sites are now listed in the order west to east as they are on the map. have a dark blue small box Choose then from an available site. NOTE: Before choosing a site, you can look at photos and read directions to each site on our website SITE DECRIPTIONS page. Any questions? Call Jim Hall with trail association for clarification. 706-325-4113
*NOTE: Arriving two hours before dark also applies to ALL in a group. No one may come late and catch up/hit the trail later. Idea per park rule: Is get all in a group on the trail, to their campsite BEFORE dark. No hiking after dark.
Park rules state that each site can have a certain number of persons/tents per site per night. See our SITE DESCRIPTIONS section on this website for how many each site will hold. NOTE: if you are a Scout unit and say have 25 boys, be prepared to split up into two sites if available (unless you choose Turtle Hollow Campsite and it is available. ).
Each vehicle left overnight anywhere within FDR State park must have a copy of the backcountry permit (blue copy) on the dash of the vehicle in plain view (last name and phone number written on back must be visible). and a valid daily use fee parking permit or Georgia Park Pass. If you travel to FDR in two or more vehicles, ask the clerk at the park office for a duplicate of the copy of your backcountry permit for each additional vehicle. The white original copy of your backcountry permit is to be fastened to the backpack of the person who obtains the permit.
Important things to note:
Most parking areas are patrolled by both the FDR State Park Rangers and the local county sheriff.
Important things to note:
- Permits must be obtained about 2 hours before dark (this is so you get on the trail and hike to your campsite before dark).
- You must be 18 years old or older to obtain a backpacking permit, so there must be at least one person in the group 18 or older who actually goes backpacking and whose name is on the permit as responsible for the campsite. Permit holder thus must also actually be with the group at all times.
- BACKCOUNTRY PERMITS are for backpackers hiking in with their gear on their backs and making it to a campsite in one trip. NOTE: Nothing with wheels is allowed on trails (no carts, wagons, wheeled coolers, strollers). If you can’t carry in gear on your back in one load…..Ask for a RV Campground or pioneer drive up site.
- You must park where your backcountry permit says and use only the designated named backcountry campsites you have a permit for as noted on the handout you will be given with your permit.
- It is up to the permit holder to R-E-A-D the handout given with your backcountry permit and make sure all with you understand what it says. Permit holder is responsible for all with him. . .
Most parking areas are patrolled by both the FDR State Park Rangers and the local county sheriff.
- If your group wants to camp out together and not hike in to a backcountry site, the FDR State Park has a Pioneer Camping area away from the Pine Mountain Trail near the RV campground, and a four site early NW of the Liberty Bell Pool. . This is a drive up primitive area. Some scout units use this area for their younger scouts and another leaders take the older ones backpacking on the Pine Mountain Trail.
- Contact the FDR park office for fees/reservations to camp in the Pioneer area. This area is not part of the Pine Mountain Trail backcountry.
- Like all Georgia State Parks, there is a "quiet time" to be observed starting at 10:00 pm. This applies to the FDR RV campground, Pioneer area, and at the PMT backcountry campsites. Adult leaders of groups backpacking on the PMT, please note this and be considerate of other backpackers you may share a site with.