Yurt Camping at Red Top Mountain State Park

In early March 2018, my wife, two daughters and I spent a few days camping in a Yurt at Red Top Mountain State Park. This popular Georgia park is usually fully reserved and packed out all summer long. So the lingering late-winter temperatures allowed us to beat the crowds. But the yurt kept us quite warm and cozy at night.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66794342 - White-breasted Nuthatch; Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia. March 13, 2018.

Tuesday, March 13 - We arrived at the campground just after 2 PM. Surprisingly, the entire park was quite empty. It was a very nice, spacious campground lying with in rolling hills of tall pines and hardwoods. Large, picturesque lichen covered boulders were strewn throughout the park, almost as if deliberately placed decoration.

© Photographer: William Wise | Red Top Mountain State Park

Although “spring” break, it was windy and very chilly. After unpacking we walked down to the lakeside. Strong winds were blowing across the water bringing up rolls of waves. We never did take the canoe out on the water though we towed it along for the trip. That first afternoon, we explored the shore and walked about a mile on the blue trail. After dinner we went back down to the water for the golden hour before sunset, and then sheltered for the night in our warm yurt.

© Photographer: William Wise | Red-Top Mountain State Park yurt

Wednesday, March 14 - sunrise 7:45 AM. The prevalent bird around the campsite is the White-breasted Nuthatch. I could hear him calling more than any other avian inhabitant of the park. Using my mp3 player, I was able to call one in close for lots of photography while we were sitting around a late afternoon campfire.

The winds still too strong for canoeing, so we decided to hike the 7 mile yellow trail. Plenty of ups and downs, tall hardwood trees and nice, wide, soft, needle-covered paths. This would be a great place for a trail run, but the elevation would be quite a challenge.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 66794341 - White-tailed Deer; Red Top Mountain State Park, Georgia. March 13, 2018.

Thursday, March 15 – a campfire to end one day, and a campfire to begin the next morning. I love it. I wish we could do it more often. But we’ll enjoy the times we do get to have.

It’s a chilly morning, about 33°, but the wind is gone. The lake is smooth and wisps of fog rise off its surface. But our stay this last day is short. A quick breakfast and all packed up by 10 AM. All in all, Red Top Mountain is it beautiful campground. But I can imagine that it is quite busy here in the summer when all the RV spots are occupied. But for an early spring break, it was peaceful and serene and very refreshing.

Posted on 14 de março de 2022, 04:58 PM by