Fort Mountain State Park’s newly renovated cottages feature rustic lakehouse charm and modern furnishings, nestled lakeside in a pine and hardwood forest.
Fort Mountain State Park, located just 90 minutes north of Atlanta, is one of our favorite state parks in North Georgia. With more than 14 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, 27 miles of biking trails, lake swimming, fishing, paddling and gorgeous sweeping views of the North Georgia mountains, it’s easy to unwind in this outdoor wonderland. We’ve visited this park dozens of times, each time experiencing a new adventure in Fort Mountain’s 3,700+ acres.
With so much to explore, there’s plenty of reasons to spend a night or two at the park. Fort Mountain State Park’s gorgeous, newly renovated cottages are just one more reason to stay and play. They’re clean, modern, and feature a fun, vintage lake house theme that makes for a comfy, upscale stay.
Our Fort Mountain State Park cabin review
Located just a short distance from Fort Mountain State Park’s beautiful 17-acre lake, 15 renovated cottages are nestled atop a ridgeline offering serene wooded views of hardwood and pine forest. The cottages blend modern furnishings with rustic mountain charm, making a wonderfully comfortable home base for exploring Fort Mountain State Park. And several are dog-friendly, so if you’re planning a trip with your four-legged adventure buddy, you’re in luck.
We recently had the opportunity to stay in one of the park’s newly renovated two bedroom cottages, and it left us longing for a few more nights in this beautifully designed and decorated retreat. The cabin’s entry features a bright and airy great room, spanning the kitchen, living room and dining areas.
The cottage’s large living area features a leather couch, and several upholstered chairs gathered around the room’s central feature, a wood burning stove. We loved the stove – it’s perfect for taking the chill off after a day of outdoor fun. The living area is complete with a flatscreen TV – and while there are just many opportunities for outdoor fun in the park, it’d be a perfect space to cozy up if the weather wasn’t cooperative.
To the left of the living room is the cottage’s dining room, with seating for eight around a rustic farm style table. The seating is eclectic, featuring rustic metal chairs, upholstered seating and a long wooden bench, adding to the cozy lakeside decor theme. A bank of wall-to-wall windows allows abundant light and fresh mountain air into the room.
The kitchen is fully equipped and features solid surface counters, an electric range and stove, microwave, coffee maker, full-size refrigerator and a dishwasher. (Who wants to do dishes on vacation?!) The kitchen is stocked with plenty of dishes, bowls, glasses, cups, and cutlery, perfect for creating a post-adventure culinary masterpiece or entertaining a small group. The spacious counter has seating for four on high backed stools.
Our favorite feature in the cottage – the large, oversized screened porch – is accessed just off the main living area, running the length of the cabin. The porch features several rustic wooden benches and Adirondack chairs. It’s a perfect space for enjoying the tranquil wooded setting with a cup of coffee in the morning – or a few beers at night.
Two bedrooms flank either side of the central living area. The split floor plan is perfect for multi-family adventures, offering privacy between the bedrooms. Each bedroom features two queen-sized beds, a flat-screen TV, lakeside cabin decor, and fantastic sliding barn doors.
Each bedroom features its own, spacious, modern bathroom, including solid surface counter tops, a modern sink and fixtures, tile floors and bath enclosures (one with a walk-in shower, and one with a shower/tub combination). Fresh soft towels are in generous supply.
The cottages make outdoor entertaining easy, too: near the front entrance, each cabin features a wood-burning fire pit, metal grill, and oversized picnic table.
We found the cottage so comfy, and it was oh-so-tempting just to stay and relax. But with Fort Mountain’s especially scenic outdoors just a short hike (or drive) away, we mustered enough motivation to get out and explore each day.
Fort Mountain State Park: our favorite trails
There are plenty of ways to explore Fort Mountain in any season. Over 14 miles of hiking trails meander through shady forest, over the park’s soaring ridge line, and around its quiet lakeshore. Hike the Fort Mountain Trail in a 1.6-mile loop to a mysterious stone wall, a stone tower and incredible overlook views on one of Fort Mountain’s most popular hiking trails. If you’re looking for a longer adventure, hike the park’s 8.2-mile Gahuti Trail to explore gorgeous overlook vistas and the cascades of a remote waterfall. Or for a shorter, family-friendly hike, explore the shore of the nearby lake on the 1.2-mile, mostly-level Fort Mountain Lake Trail. See more ways to explore this scenic park in our Fort Mountain State Park adventure guide.
In warmer months, the park offers on-water adventures at the Fort Mountain Lake, with fishing boat, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals. The 17-acre lake features a sandy beach perfect for catching a few rays or cooling off with a swim in the clear waters.
And for the mountain bikers, Fort Mountain boasts 27 miles of bike trails, great for a variety of skill levels. (Note: permits are required for some trails.)
Fort Mountain State Park Cottages: Bottom Line
We loved our stay at our Fort Mountain cottage. The cabins’ modern design and features, combined with rustic-modern furnishings and a large screened porch, make them a fantastic spot to relax and chill. And they’re a fantastic home-base for a week of hiking, biking, swimming or paddling adventure at the park.
With a short 1.5 hour drive from Atlanta, Fort Mountain is a great destination for a long weekend (or week) of fresh air, scenic views, and an abundance of North Georgia’s natural beauty.
While we received a complimentary stay at a Fort Mountain cabin, all opinions above are our own and based on personal experiences during our stay. Thanks to Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites for hosting our stay.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.