Scout and Group Backcountry Information
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 groups and friends, church groups, long-time trail members and LOTS of Boy Scout groups. And we are getting even more popular each year. Many are coming to the PMT for the first time while some organizations are already members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association. They not only enjoy the trails, but help out with maintaining them.
Every week, people call or email us wanting information about the trail, about hiking and about backpack camping. The main ones are Scout units. 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.
Here are a bunch of Backcountry FAQs to help you with your planning.
You can find much of the information needed for pre-planning on our Backcountry Camping, Permits, Directions to the Trail, Campsite Descriptions and FAQ links on our website. We suggest all adults coming on a trip (and Boy Scout Senior Patrol Leader) read these sections first before calling or emailing us. They have lots of info about water locations, weather, rules etc.
If you do not have a trail map go to the MAPS OF THE TRAIL section on this website and request one. It most important the group leader has a PMT map in hand BEFORE you call or email us for suggestions/help planning a trip to the Pine Mountain Trail. Maps are mailed free to Scouts and groups (schools and churches) along with active military folks by mail from the PMTA only. Since we send groups/military maps FREE, we do have to limit those to two per group or one per individual please. NOTE: if you forget and leave your map at home and arrive at FDR State Park without it, you need to purchase/buy another. They are NOT free at the park office. Note: when we reply we got your request, we will email you some information to please read over before coming on the trail. CLICK HERE to order free maps if you are eligible.
The main contact for hikes and backpacking and trip planning information for the Pine Mountain Trail is Jim Hall (706) 569-0497. or you can contact him via the link at the bottom of this page. NOTE: Before calling Jim, Study the map, read the above listed sections on this website.
Scout and organizational leaders who need a service project or would like for someone from the PMTA to show them about trail building and maintenance may contact Jim.
.
SHUTTLES:
See our note under Shuttles on Backcountry Camping.
Main things:
FDR park rules actually 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. We have found groups that trashed camp sites, camped outside the designated campsite areas, cut on/hacked on trees and trees cut down and left fires smoldering. It is the leaders/adults in charge responsibility to make sure those in their group do the right things. If you come to a camp that is trashed, has freshly cut or sawed on trees or a smoldering fire left by previous campers, call the park rangers right then and report it (use/call the Emergency numbers on the back of the trail map. )
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. If you have a question about a FDR State Park or Georgia State Park rule concerning the Pine Mountain Trail,contact Desmond Timmons Manager FDR State Park, at 706-663-4858.
Just daytime Hiking the PMT
Hiking is permitted on the PMT during daylight hours of FDR State Park operation. This meaning regular hiking and hiking to a backcountry campsite must be in daylight. So if you are planning to come and go backpack camping say late on Friday in the winter, you must arrive with your group at least two hours before dark to obtain your backcountry permit. When is dark?
See http://sunrise-sunset.org/us/pine-mountain-ga
The Pine Mountain Trail Association and FDR State Park has a number of advertised group led night hikes throughout the year. So hiking/backpacking at night is not allowed by individuals and groups unless with a PMTA or FDR park group. Groups are urged to plan their hikes and backpacking trips to end well BEFORE dark. The old "don't plan more hike than light" idea and give yourself some extra time just in case goes here.
There is no charge to just hike in the daytime on the trails (just a parking fee) and you do not have to be a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association to hike or backpack on the PMT. There is a fee for permits to stay overnight (backpack camp in one of the designated permitted sites.) Groups and individuals that just want to day 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, and time you plan to exit the trails.) Vehicles left at trail heads while hiking must have the appropriate daily use permit or Georgia State Annual Pass on them. Parking permits are available at the park office and via SELF PAY box locations (noted on the trail map.)
Group leaders are to maintain sight and sound contact with minors at all times within FDR and other Georgia parks. So the youth must not run or hike ahead out of sight or voice contact. There a number of trail intersections and an adult with a trail map in hand should be near the front of the hiking/backpacking group at all times to avoid a missed turn. 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 rangers as soon as you have any emergency or situation where you feel you are lost or turned around. See emergency contact info on the back of the trail map.
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. See Backcountry Camping and Site Descriptions. You must camp in the designated site(s) you obtain a permit for and the limit is noted at 15 per site at most camps (NOTE: tent number exceptions/restrictions for Whiskey Still, Bethel Creek, Broken Tree, Mountain Creek, Rock-Mark, Chainsaw and Riffle Rocks campsites.) At current time, due to the number of scout units coming to FDR during heavy use times if you have slightly more than 15 in your group the 15 person rule will not be pushed/enforced depending on the site..
NOTE: So where ever you see the word "tent" in the sections of this website, note that since hammocks take up about the same space so number of "tents" actually means TENTS/and or HAMMOCKS .
But if you have 20+ in your group/troop, be prepared to split up and sign up for two campsites unless you sign up for TURTLE HOLLOW CAMPSITE . The reason for keeping group size low at most sites is that a large group for just one night can cause major impact on a smaller campsites. Turtle Hollow Campsite is large enough to hold some 30-35+:. See Site Descriptions for a complete description of this camp and all the other ones. What if you get to your permitted camp and want to hike on further to say the next site? In order to possibly change sites on your permit you must CALL and receive permission from the clerks or managers at the FDR office if another site is available further down the trail.
Permits must be obtained before you hit the woods. Organizations like Scout units who are members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association get to camp free along the trail if they present to the clerk at the FDR Park office your PMTA membership card. If you make reservations through the Ga Park reservation system you still must show your membership card at the park office to actually obtain your permit free.
Can you join the PMTA at the FDR State Park office? NO. Application for membership must be made in advance to the Pine Mountain Trail Association via this website or by US Mail. . See JOIN THE PMTA on this PMTA website http://www.pinemountaintrail.org/store/p28/PMTA_Organization_Annual_Membership.html. You will receive by email your PDF file membership card. Then allow about 7-10 business days from time you make application and pay dues till you receive membership packet with map. Again, if you are already 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. If you loose your card, contact the PMTA BEFORE heading to the park (for a replacement to be emailed.)
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) [email protected] several days in advance of your trip for a replacement. The FDR State Park office folks do not keep a list of who belongs to the PMTA. 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 for NON-PMTA members as of 11/1/2022 are $12 per person per night for 1-5 persons (with a max of $60 for a group of 5 or more). Parking/daily use permits must still be paid for. All vehicles must have a Daily Use Permit/parking pass ($5 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. Note: If you are staying say two nights, three days on the trail, the parking fee is charged one time for the duration of your stay (ie: you arrive on Friday, pay one time $5 for a vehicle and the permit is good till you depart say on Sunday.) Not $5 per day of your stay.
All persons who sign a backcountry permit, a photo copy of their driver license will be put with the permit.
Per the BSA guideline, Scout units are to abide totally by their WILDERNESS USE POLICY.
Adult leaders must 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 (by youth or leaders) . All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis. (Note: thus evidence of tobacco or alcohol use should NOT be found at any location on the Pine Mountain Trail used by a Scout unit).
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.
Backcountry permits and reservations : see Permits for specifics…..Basically if a group of 6 or more makes reservations they will be the only ones permitted at a site. If you wish to camp for more than one night, you can choose the sites for all of the nights while making reservations. If you come to FDR on a Friday and stay at the Pioneer area and are going backpacking the next day, you'll need to get a leader to come to the park office the next morning which opens at 8 a.m. to obtain your backcountry permit.. If you do not have reservations and just show up at the park office, site choice is on the "first come" basis once you arrive at the park office. You can call the park office and ask about a specific site say on Friday for Saturday and the clerks will tell if reserved. If not, they CANNOT make over the phone reservation or hold a site. You just have to come to park office and take a chance on getting that site. Reservations are thus HIGHLY suggested. .
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 this service. As of December 6, 2018 you can make a reservation to backcountry camp through the Georgia 800 reservation service or online, for specific sites.
https://gastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do You will see a list of sites and what sites are available for the date you have in mind to come.
Now most importantly, if you make reservations for specific sites and cancel your trip, PLEASE call the park office and let them know as soon as you change plans. Be sure you understand even though you have reservations, you must still physically go to the park office at least two hours before dark on arrival date and obtain your backpacking permit and purchase parking permits for all vehicles with your group..
If you have someone get to FDR State Park early on a Friday or Saturday to get your permit that is fine, or if you have reservations your troop or group must arrive and have enough time to hike in to your campsite before dark. There is 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. FDR managers have found some leaders/adults and some youths arriving after dark to meet up with a troop or group. Those found hiking in right at dark will not be allowed in. Everyone needs to arrive in time to hike in before dark. So, if your plans include arriving late on a Friday or Saturday you cannot hit the trail backpacking close to dark. Where can you stay the first night if you arrive late on a day (.then obtain a permit the next day and go backpacking?) FDR State Park does have a 4 drive up camping areas each with a picnic table, one eight-person three-sided shelter, water faucet and a pit-toilet (outhouse). These areas are in 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 current fees). The Pioneer Area is not part of the Pine Mountain Trail and not free even to PMTA members.
Some groups do go hiking from the Pioneer Area on the Pine Mountain Trail and Mountain Creek Trail via the Pool Trail which is beside the Liberty Bell Pool near the Pioneer Area.
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: when needed, fire ban signs will be posted at most trail-heads and when you obtain your backcountry permit there will be a RED rubber stamped notice across the face of the permit that you must initial (which notes you understand no fires are to be built during you trip.)
When fires are allowed, build campfires in designated fire-rings only. Don't build a new fire-ring or move one (metal or rock….AND if rock, do not move the rocks, add to the fire ring rocks). Keep fires small. Use only wood that is dead, down on the ground. Do not saw-cut down wood from standing dead or live trees. Most certainly, no living or standing tree of any size are not allowed to be cut in FDR State Park for firewood or any reason. A small folding or bow saw is all you need. When leaving a camp, drown the campfire (even if used it just the night before and not in the morning) with several gallons of water. NOTE: Campfires in noted DRY camps is not suggested unless you are hauling in about 3 gallons of water to drown the campfire. Dry camps are where no campfires are allowed at certain times of the year (camps without water) are noted on this website under SITE DESCRIPTIONS.
If your trip is cut short for any reason, including weather, please contact the FDR State Park office or manager via emergency numbers on the back of the map and let them know you are not using a backcountry site you have a permit for. 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. In addition to the main 24 hour number, FDR State Park also has a new Google Voice number. If you do NOT reach the rangers on the 706-663-4256 voice number, by dialing the Google Voice FDR ranger urgent number 706-801-5006 you can leave a short message and return phone number and it transmit/send the message as a TEXT message to the ranger on duty. Given the limited cell service in some areas of FDR, rangers can often get a text message when voice calls do not go through. If you call 911 you may reach Troup Country EMS or the 911 center in Harris, or Meriwether County as the park traverses both counties and 911 will just turn around and call the FDR managers/rangers.
When you obtain a Backcountry Permit at the park office, you should be given a handout (READ IT ALL PLEASE) and a 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.) Trash containers are at the Dowdell Knob and WJSP-TV tower trailheads only.
With more than 4,000 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.
So if you find trash left at a campsite or along the trails left by others, please pack it out.
In conclusion, we want readers to understand that the Pine Mountain Trail Association is glad so many groups use the PMT and we are more than willing to help groups plan trips to the trail. We ask all who enjoy the Pine Mountain Trail and backcountry campsites use some common sense, accept and follow the rules and guidelines that are for the good of all.
Please remember that FDR State Park and the PMT is a great place, but it is a privilege using them we don’t want to abuse.
Finally, sadly we must remind leaders of all groups that the leaders name who is on the backcountry permit is responsible for passing along the rules of the trail, and if a camp is found with trash, a smoldering fire, trees hacked on or cut down, that the leader can receive a citation for actions of the group. Citations generally run over $140 per situation ( ie: $140 for fire, $140 for trash and $140 PER TREE)- Citations for leaving a fire or trash at a PMT backcountry campsite are based on Georgia DNR code sections: 16-7-43- It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to dump, deposit, throw, or leave or to cause or permit the dumping, depositing, placing, throwing, or leaving of litter on any public or private property in this state or any waters in this state.
391-5-1-.04 (1) (a) 8- Ignite or attempt to ignite any fire except in places provided or designated for such
purposes, under the continuous care and direction of a responsible person. All fires,
matches, and smoldering material must be completely extinguished after use. During
periods of high fire danger, the site manager may close all or a portion of a site to lighting
or maintaining fires.
revised April 2019
Every week, people call or email us wanting information about the trail, about hiking and about backpack camping. The main ones are Scout units. 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.
Here are a bunch of Backcountry FAQs to help you with your planning.
You can find much of the information needed for pre-planning on our Backcountry Camping, Permits, Directions to the Trail, Campsite Descriptions and FAQ links on our website. We suggest all adults coming on a trip (and Boy Scout Senior Patrol Leader) read these sections first before calling or emailing us. They have lots of info about water locations, weather, rules etc.
If you do not have a trail map go to the MAPS OF THE TRAIL section on this website and request one. It most important the group leader has a PMT map in hand BEFORE you call or email us for suggestions/help planning a trip to the Pine Mountain Trail. Maps are mailed free to Scouts and groups (schools and churches) along with active military folks by mail from the PMTA only. Since we send groups/military maps FREE, we do have to limit those to two per group or one per individual please. NOTE: if you forget and leave your map at home and arrive at FDR State Park without it, you need to purchase/buy another. They are NOT free at the park office. Note: when we reply we got your request, we will email you some information to please read over before coming on the trail. CLICK HERE to order free maps if you are eligible.
The main contact for hikes and backpacking and trip planning information for the Pine Mountain Trail is Jim Hall (706) 569-0497. or you can contact him via the link at the bottom of this page. NOTE: Before calling Jim, Study the map, read the above listed sections on this website.
Scout and organizational leaders who need a service project or would like for someone from the PMTA to show them about trail building and maintenance may contact Jim.
.
SHUTTLES:
See our note under Shuttles on Backcountry Camping.
Main things:
FDR park rules actually 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. We have found groups that trashed camp sites, camped outside the designated campsite areas, cut on/hacked on trees and trees cut down and left fires smoldering. It is the leaders/adults in charge responsibility to make sure those in their group do the right things. If you come to a camp that is trashed, has freshly cut or sawed on trees or a smoldering fire left by previous campers, call the park rangers right then and report it (use/call the Emergency numbers on the back of the trail map. )
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. If you have a question about a FDR State Park or Georgia State Park rule concerning the Pine Mountain Trail,contact Desmond Timmons Manager FDR State Park, at 706-663-4858.
Just daytime Hiking the PMT
Hiking is permitted on the PMT during daylight hours of FDR State Park operation. This meaning regular hiking and hiking to a backcountry campsite must be in daylight. So if you are planning to come and go backpack camping say late on Friday in the winter, you must arrive with your group at least two hours before dark to obtain your backcountry permit. When is dark?
See http://sunrise-sunset.org/us/pine-mountain-ga
The Pine Mountain Trail Association and FDR State Park has a number of advertised group led night hikes throughout the year. So hiking/backpacking at night is not allowed by individuals and groups unless with a PMTA or FDR park group. Groups are urged to plan their hikes and backpacking trips to end well BEFORE dark. The old "don't plan more hike than light" idea and give yourself some extra time just in case goes here.
There is no charge to just hike in the daytime on the trails (just a parking fee) and you do not have to be a member of the Pine Mountain Trail Association to hike or backpack on the PMT. There is a fee for permits to stay overnight (backpack camp in one of the designated permitted sites.) Groups and individuals that just want to day 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, and time you plan to exit the trails.) Vehicles left at trail heads while hiking must have the appropriate daily use permit or Georgia State Annual Pass on them. Parking permits are available at the park office and via SELF PAY box locations (noted on the trail map.)
Group leaders are to maintain sight and sound contact with minors at all times within FDR and other Georgia parks. So the youth must not run or hike ahead out of sight or voice contact. There a number of trail intersections and an adult with a trail map in hand should be near the front of the hiking/backpacking group at all times to avoid a missed turn. 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 rangers as soon as you have any emergency or situation where you feel you are lost or turned around. See emergency contact info on the back of the trail map.
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. See Backcountry Camping and Site Descriptions. You must camp in the designated site(s) you obtain a permit for and the limit is noted at 15 per site at most camps (NOTE: tent number exceptions/restrictions for Whiskey Still, Bethel Creek, Broken Tree, Mountain Creek, Rock-Mark, Chainsaw and Riffle Rocks campsites.) At current time, due to the number of scout units coming to FDR during heavy use times if you have slightly more than 15 in your group the 15 person rule will not be pushed/enforced depending on the site..
NOTE: So where ever you see the word "tent" in the sections of this website, note that since hammocks take up about the same space so number of "tents" actually means TENTS/and or HAMMOCKS .
But if you have 20+ in your group/troop, be prepared to split up and sign up for two campsites unless you sign up for TURTLE HOLLOW CAMPSITE . The reason for keeping group size low at most sites is that a large group for just one night can cause major impact on a smaller campsites. Turtle Hollow Campsite is large enough to hold some 30-35+:. See Site Descriptions for a complete description of this camp and all the other ones. What if you get to your permitted camp and want to hike on further to say the next site? In order to possibly change sites on your permit you must CALL and receive permission from the clerks or managers at the FDR office if another site is available further down the trail.
Permits must be obtained before you hit the woods. Organizations like Scout units who are members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association get to camp free along the trail if they present to the clerk at the FDR Park office your PMTA membership card. If you make reservations through the Ga Park reservation system you still must show your membership card at the park office to actually obtain your permit free.
Can you join the PMTA at the FDR State Park office? NO. Application for membership must be made in advance to the Pine Mountain Trail Association via this website or by US Mail. . See JOIN THE PMTA on this PMTA website http://www.pinemountaintrail.org/store/p28/PMTA_Organization_Annual_Membership.html. You will receive by email your PDF file membership card. Then allow about 7-10 business days from time you make application and pay dues till you receive membership packet with map. Again, if you are already 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. If you loose your card, contact the PMTA BEFORE heading to the park (for a replacement to be emailed.)
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) [email protected] several days in advance of your trip for a replacement. The FDR State Park office folks do not keep a list of who belongs to the PMTA. 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 for NON-PMTA members as of 11/1/2022 are $12 per person per night for 1-5 persons (with a max of $60 for a group of 5 or more). Parking/daily use permits must still be paid for. All vehicles must have a Daily Use Permit/parking pass ($5 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. Note: If you are staying say two nights, three days on the trail, the parking fee is charged one time for the duration of your stay (ie: you arrive on Friday, pay one time $5 for a vehicle and the permit is good till you depart say on Sunday.) Not $5 per day of your stay.
All persons who sign a backcountry permit, a photo copy of their driver license will be put with the permit.
Per the BSA guideline, Scout units are to abide totally by their WILDERNESS USE POLICY.
Adult leaders must 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 (by youth or leaders) . All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis. (Note: thus evidence of tobacco or alcohol use should NOT be found at any location on the Pine Mountain Trail used by a Scout unit).
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.
Backcountry permits and reservations : see Permits for specifics…..Basically if a group of 6 or more makes reservations they will be the only ones permitted at a site. If you wish to camp for more than one night, you can choose the sites for all of the nights while making reservations. If you come to FDR on a Friday and stay at the Pioneer area and are going backpacking the next day, you'll need to get a leader to come to the park office the next morning which opens at 8 a.m. to obtain your backcountry permit.. If you do not have reservations and just show up at the park office, site choice is on the "first come" basis once you arrive at the park office. You can call the park office and ask about a specific site say on Friday for Saturday and the clerks will tell if reserved. If not, they CANNOT make over the phone reservation or hold a site. You just have to come to park office and take a chance on getting that site. Reservations are thus HIGHLY suggested. .
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 this service. As of December 6, 2018 you can make a reservation to backcountry camp through the Georgia 800 reservation service or online, for specific sites.
https://gastateparks.reserveamerica.com/campsiteSearch.do You will see a list of sites and what sites are available for the date you have in mind to come.
Now most importantly, if you make reservations for specific sites and cancel your trip, PLEASE call the park office and let them know as soon as you change plans. Be sure you understand even though you have reservations, you must still physically go to the park office at least two hours before dark on arrival date and obtain your backpacking permit and purchase parking permits for all vehicles with your group..
If you have someone get to FDR State Park early on a Friday or Saturday to get your permit that is fine, or if you have reservations your troop or group must arrive and have enough time to hike in to your campsite before dark. There is 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. FDR managers have found some leaders/adults and some youths arriving after dark to meet up with a troop or group. Those found hiking in right at dark will not be allowed in. Everyone needs to arrive in time to hike in before dark. So, if your plans include arriving late on a Friday or Saturday you cannot hit the trail backpacking close to dark. Where can you stay the first night if you arrive late on a day (.then obtain a permit the next day and go backpacking?) FDR State Park does have a 4 drive up camping areas each with a picnic table, one eight-person three-sided shelter, water faucet and a pit-toilet (outhouse). These areas are in 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 current fees). The Pioneer Area is not part of the Pine Mountain Trail and not free even to PMTA members.
Some groups do go hiking from the Pioneer Area on the Pine Mountain Trail and Mountain Creek Trail via the Pool Trail which is beside the Liberty Bell Pool near the Pioneer Area.
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: when needed, fire ban signs will be posted at most trail-heads and when you obtain your backcountry permit there will be a RED rubber stamped notice across the face of the permit that you must initial (which notes you understand no fires are to be built during you trip.)
When fires are allowed, build campfires in designated fire-rings only. Don't build a new fire-ring or move one (metal or rock….AND if rock, do not move the rocks, add to the fire ring rocks). Keep fires small. Use only wood that is dead, down on the ground. Do not saw-cut down wood from standing dead or live trees. Most certainly, no living or standing tree of any size are not allowed to be cut in FDR State Park for firewood or any reason. A small folding or bow saw is all you need. When leaving a camp, drown the campfire (even if used it just the night before and not in the morning) with several gallons of water. NOTE: Campfires in noted DRY camps is not suggested unless you are hauling in about 3 gallons of water to drown the campfire. Dry camps are where no campfires are allowed at certain times of the year (camps without water) are noted on this website under SITE DESCRIPTIONS.
If your trip is cut short for any reason, including weather, please contact the FDR State Park office or manager via emergency numbers on the back of the map and let them know you are not using a backcountry site you have a permit for. 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. In addition to the main 24 hour number, FDR State Park also has a new Google Voice number. If you do NOT reach the rangers on the 706-663-4256 voice number, by dialing the Google Voice FDR ranger urgent number 706-801-5006 you can leave a short message and return phone number and it transmit/send the message as a TEXT message to the ranger on duty. Given the limited cell service in some areas of FDR, rangers can often get a text message when voice calls do not go through. If you call 911 you may reach Troup Country EMS or the 911 center in Harris, or Meriwether County as the park traverses both counties and 911 will just turn around and call the FDR managers/rangers.
When you obtain a Backcountry Permit at the park office, you should be given a handout (READ IT ALL PLEASE) and a 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.) Trash containers are at the Dowdell Knob and WJSP-TV tower trailheads only.
With more than 4,000 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.
So if you find trash left at a campsite or along the trails left by others, please pack it out.
In conclusion, we want readers to understand that the Pine Mountain Trail Association is glad so many groups use the PMT and we are more than willing to help groups plan trips to the trail. We ask all who enjoy the Pine Mountain Trail and backcountry campsites use some common sense, accept and follow the rules and guidelines that are for the good of all.
Please remember that FDR State Park and the PMT is a great place, but it is a privilege using them we don’t want to abuse.
Finally, sadly we must remind leaders of all groups that the leaders name who is on the backcountry permit is responsible for passing along the rules of the trail, and if a camp is found with trash, a smoldering fire, trees hacked on or cut down, that the leader can receive a citation for actions of the group. Citations generally run over $140 per situation ( ie: $140 for fire, $140 for trash and $140 PER TREE)- Citations for leaving a fire or trash at a PMT backcountry campsite are based on Georgia DNR code sections: 16-7-43- It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to dump, deposit, throw, or leave or to cause or permit the dumping, depositing, placing, throwing, or leaving of litter on any public or private property in this state or any waters in this state.
391-5-1-.04 (1) (a) 8- Ignite or attempt to ignite any fire except in places provided or designated for such
purposes, under the continuous care and direction of a responsible person. All fires,
matches, and smoldering material must be completely extinguished after use. During
periods of high fire danger, the site manager may close all or a portion of a site to lighting
or maintaining fires.
revised April 2019