Off Highway 316 sits shimmering Lake Fort Yargo and its accompanying state park, providing hikers a great place to connect with nature and enjoy secluded peace. Parking is $5 per vehicle per day so be sure to bring cash. Don’t forget to check out the visitor’s center when you arrive and speak to one of the many friendly staff on special events happening in the park.
The main attraction of this park is the original fort on the property, which was built in 1792 and served as both a trading outpost and protection from upper creek Native American tribes. The building’s foundation is timber and mud built in a Lincoln log type fashion, and every year, the Living History Society comes together to reapply the red clay mixture.
On the property outside the fort are several small buildings among the shelves of chopped wood, including a smokehouse and a hive oven. Occasionally the Living History Society will provide demonstrations in full colonial costume about the daily activities of the era, illuminating the harsh conditions the original occupants endured. This presentation is incredibly informative and great for kids!
The property and its trails are particularly tranquil, the foliage being most spectacular during the spring and fall seasons. The grounds offer a variety of trails cutting through the surrounding forest and rimming the edge of the lake. These trails are designed for the average hiker with gradual inclines and dirt paths, only taking around 90 minutes to hike the entirety of the park. All of the trails are pet-friendly, and although most of the trails are meant for hikers only, the blue trail that stretches around the entire park is open every other day to mountain bikers.
If you follow the maps carefully, the blue trail will take you around Horseshoe Drop and onto Cemetery Hill, where you can glimpse the original caretakers of the property.
Keep an eye out for the beach located at the end of the park, as it is a wonderful spot to lounge with a book or wade into the lake. Here you will find a kayak rental station open during the summer months where visitors can rent a kayak for the day and explore parts of the lake the trails cannot reach. The water is perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. You may even spot the occasional rowing team!
The wildlife here (particularly the ducks) are incredibly social, allowing for up-close interactions and photo sessions.
For those looking to camp, the park offers 38 campsites, one Pioneer
camp, six yurts, 13 camper cabins and three cottages. Prices are based on the
time of year and the duration of the stay.
If you haven’t taken the time to explore this park, I would highly recommend it. With the calming presence of the forest and the gentle lapping of the lake, Fort Yargo is the perfect daytime hike, weekend getaway or date with the person you just met. As always be sure to bring plenty of water, a few snacks and wear appropriate hiking shoes and clothing depending on the season.
