12 paddles in 12 months: Paddle 11 - Fort Mountain State Park - Sat, Nov 7 2026

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12 paddles in 12 months: Paddle 11 - Fort Mountain State Park


The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: Fort Mountain State Park Chatsworth, GA 30705 Murray County   Water: 12 paddles in 12 months: Paddle 11 - Fort Mountain State Park  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Nov 7 2026  2:30 pm >> Sat, Nov 7 2026 3:30 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, Sep 28 2026 7:05 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Nov 6 2026 7:05 pm
Event Duration:1 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate (Exploratory)
Distance:1.2 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Kelly
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:3
Number Registered So Far: 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

 

Paddle 11 is at Fort Mountain State Park which sits at the southwestern end of the Cohutta Mountains near the Cohutta Wilderness. Sitting at 2,850 ft above sea level, Fort Mountain is a great destination for hiking and history lessons alike. The area in and around the park was home to the Cherokee Indians for hundreds of years, and their legacy is still felt throughout North Georgia today. Its lake is small but should be lovely this time of year. 

Since it is small lake and a long drive I encourage people to arrive early and explore this beautiful park. I am posting a D4 hike earlier that day in case people want to join me on a hike, but here are many shorter hikes you can do on your own.

This is a bring your own boat (BYOB) event. The park only rents kayaks in the summer months. There are several folks in the club that have extra boats so reach out if you would like to try to borrow one. 

More information on the "12 paddles in 12 months in 12 Georgia State Parks" (see GA State park list here https://gastateparks.org/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/clubs/ParkPaddlers_MemberCard_2023_fillable.pdf )

I will post the following paddles at least 1 month ahead of the date of the event. The paddles with the * will have boat rentals. I have 1 make-up paddle listed but will likely repeat others over the summer so you wil have several oppurtunities to get 12 paddles. The last paddle is at the Okefenokee, we will rent some cabins and have a celebration for those folks who paddle in 12 parks in 2026. 

Paddle 1: January 17th: Sweetwater Creek State Park

Paddle: 2 February 21: Watson Mill Bridge

Paddle 3: March 14th: Chattahochee Bend

*Paddle 4: April 11th: George L. Smith State Park in Twin City

*Paddle 5: May 23rd – 25th High Falls State Park, Dames Ferry State Park and Indian Springs (we have a primitive campsite rented for people who want to stay overnight at High Falls). 

*Paddle 6: June 20: Hard Labor Creek State Park

*Paddle 7: July 18: Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton)

*Paddle 8: August 15th Don Carter State Park (Lake Lanier)

*August 22nd (make-up Paddle): Fort Yargo State Park

*Paddle 9: September 19: Elijah Clark State Park

*Paddle 10: October 31: Halloween Paddle: James H Floyd State Park

Paddle 11: November 7th: Fort Mountain and Hike the Gahuti Trail

*Paddle 12: December 4-6: Stephen C Foster State Park - Okefenokee


Required Items to Bring:

Boat

Paddle

PFD

Weather appropriate clothing

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Snack

Water

Hiking shoes if you do the optional hike


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

We will meet at the lake at Fort Mountain State Park. There is a restroom at the lake. Please arrive early so you can unload your boat and be ready to paddle at 2:30 pm.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7YKHS2sHcqpTAvph6


Notes:

There is a $10 parking fee unless you have a state park pass.

It is a 2 hour drive to the park from Atlanta. Although there is no car pool I encourage people to try buddy up and travel together.


* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.