Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
75.00 ft (22.86 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
1.20 mi (1.93 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

If you need an excuse to get off the couch and into the great outdoors, Fort Mountain State Park is exactly what you’re looking for. And it just doesn’t get any better than a stroll around Fort Mountain Lake at the center of the park. This wide, easy-going, family-friendly 1.2-mile trail will accommodate virtually any class of hiker, and the beauty of the lake setting on top of the mountains is truly spectacular. With plenty of parking, flushing toilets, and water fountains nearby, this is your perfect excuse to venture out and say hello to Mother Nature.

The trail meanders around the lake and surrounding forest. While the trail only boasts an elevation gain of 75 feet, the trail is most easily hiked in the clockwise direction. Bring a swimsuit in the summer and enjoy the beach area. Bicycle traffic is also allowed on the trail. Benches are scattered throughout the trail, allowing hikers to sit, rest, and contemplate the beauty of the scenery that surrounds them. Go ahead, relax and breath in that fresh mountain air!

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Easy trail. Beautiful views. Amenities.

Cons

Crowded.

Trailhead Elevation

2,365.00 ft (720.85 m)

Highest point

2,383.00 ft (726.34 m)

Features

Near lake or river
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Potable water
Bird watching

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

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