F.D. Roosevelt State Park is a historically significant park located in an area of Georgia known as the Presidential Pathways Region. The west-central portion of Georgia became the Presidential Pathways Region because of the area’s strong connection to two United States presidents, Jimmy Carter, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The F.D. Roosevelt State Park earned its name because Roosevelt often came to the region to relax, spend time in nature, and heal in the warm natural spring waters nearby.
The scenic park also has ties to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was an organization created by F.D. Roosevelt as one of his New Deal programs. The purpose of the CCC was to employ single, unemployed men during the Great Depression. The CCC constructed several of the park’s features, including the cottages and the Liberty Bell Swimming Pool. The park’s ties to F.D. Roosevelt’s recreational pastime activities as well as one of his more successful organizations is just one of many reasons why the facilities bear Roosevelt’s name.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park is not just historically significant; the park is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream because the park offers over 9,000 acres of wildlife habitat, hiking trails, and recreational areas for people to explore. People come from all over the state to traverse more than 40 miles of hiking and backpacking trails and then after spending the day on foot, many of the hikers retreat to the campground and stay comfortably in their RVs and campers. Guests staying here will have no shortage of history to learn about, places to explore, and nature to experience.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park is located in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The park is just 41 miles northwest of Columbus, and 80 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the roads leading to the park are a two-lane, tree-lined highway and may require slower than posted speeds when towing a trailer or driving a motorhome.
The park is open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm year round. Be sure to arrive before closing.
Please note that an overnight park pass is required for all vehicles. The pass is an additional cost that isn’t included in the price of camping. Overnight guests pay only one parking fee for the duration of their stay.
Visitors who frequent Georgia state parks can purchase an annual pass and avoid the daily fee.
The F.D. Roosevelt Campground is a pet-friendly campground that is open year-round. The RV and trailer campground is a multi-looped facility with both back in and pull-through sites. Every site has access to 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups, water hookups, a fire pit, a picnic table, and a grill. Host campsites also provide sewer hookups, but this option is only available for campground hosts. The spaces vary in size with the largest site accommodating RVs and trailers up to 85 feet in length. The campground offers guests dumpsters, picnic shelters, overflow parking, restrooms with showers, a laundry facility, and a dump station, and each loop has a grey water disposal station. Noise-making devices should remain silent during the park’s quiet hours, between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.
Geocaching is a fun, family-friendly activity that sparks adventure for people of many ages and abilities. Georgia State Parks participate in the Parks GeoTour and permit over 40 hidden caches in and around historic sites and state park lands, and F.D. Roosevelt State Park is one of many parks that participate in the fun! To take part in the electronic treasure hunt, you will need a GPS enabled device, and an account prepared with the world-wide Geocaching website. The park doesn't provide GPS units, so make sure you bring yours with you!
F.D. Roosevelt State Park is home to a small fishing pond. Fish from the shores of the water, or bring your small non-motorized boat and escape into deeper waters. Whether you’re fishing from a kayak or the banks of the pond, you’re sure to have some luck catching one of the resident fish such as a bream, catfish, or largemouth bass. Local anglers will tell you that worms and artificial spinning lures work wonders on the water. Don’t forget your fishing license! All people 16 and older must have a valid resident or non-resident fishing license to fish.
If you like to hike, then bring your hiking gear and explore more than 40 miles of trails that weave through the wooded Georgia countryside. The trails range from short day hikes to longer overnight backcountry backpacking hikes. The terrain varies on every trail, and hikers can choose from a mile-long nature walk or to a more strenuous hike that passes waterways and road crossings. All of the trails are marked and color-blazed, making it easy for hikers to find their way. Contact the park for detailed trail information or overnight hiking permits.
Horse lovers will have one more reason to visit F.D. Roosevelt State Park. Bring your horse and access over 28 miles of equestrian trails, and then stay in the primitive camping area where your you and your horse can stay near one another, or stable your horse and stay in the RV campgrounds. If you don't have a horse, but you are interested in trail, rides, there are many options to choose from such as day rides, half day rides, and hourly rides. The park's stable is privately-owned and operated, and it is open most days of the week. Before heading out to the stable, call ahead and make a reservation. Horseback riding is a favorite activity at the park, and you don't want to miss out on your chance to see Georgia's scenery from the comforts of a horse!
Bring your Jon boats or your paddle boats and spend time exploring one of the park’s two lakes. Large boats and electric motors aren’t permitted on the water, so anglers and paddlers don’t have to worry about contending with waves. The calm waters are a stand-up paddle boarder’s dream! If you don’t have a boat, contact the Park Office for Jon boat, kayak, canoe, and aqua cycle rentals. For rental information, hours of operation, and pricing contact the Park Office.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park is a great place to enjoy summer days with the family. The park features The Liberty Bell Pool, an outdoor swimming pool that is available for day-use guests as well as for campers’ use. The pool has a large swimming area, lifeguards on duty, and plenty of space surrounding the water for eating, sitting in the sun, and relaxing. The pool is open seasonally, and the hours of operation vary. Contact the park for day use and campers’ pricing. The cost of swimming is not included in the day use or camping fees.
