Red Top Mountain State Park trail map [Sept. 2010]

Red Top Mountain State Park Trail Map
50 Lodge Road Cartersville, GA 30121 park: 770-975-0055 reservations: 1-800-864-7275 www.GeorgiaStateParks.org

RIVER ETOWAH

Dock
Webster's F L n g

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Park Marina Boat Rentals

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Red Top Mountain

Cottage Road

Lodg

Marina Road

#7

Entrance #1

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#1

Rd. Red Top

#6

#5

Beach

#1 #4

Bethany Cem.
#3 #2

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e Road

Log Cabin
Boat Dock
Resource Office

andi erry

Road

d Top Mountain Road

Allatoona Lake

Iron Hill

Campground Trail Homestead Trail Iron Hill Trail Lakeside Trail Sweet Gum Trail Visitor Center Loop Trail White Tail Trail Paved Road Unpaved Road

Park Office Parking Phone Restrooms Visitor Center Picnic Area

Gate
ed Top

Mountain Road R

Picnic Shelter Group Shelter Cottage Campground Pioneer Camping Area Boat Ramp Beach

Miniature Golf Tennis Wheelchair Access

Entrance #2

Exit 278 Glade Rd.

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Feet 2,000

Red Top Mountain State Park is a very popular park located on 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona and is ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. Visitors can bring their own boats or rent from nearby marinas. More than 15 miles of hiking trails wind through the park, providing opportunities for exercise and exploring a reconstructed 1860s homestead. the park's lodge, restaurant and meeting facilites make Red Top a great getaway for family reunions. A 0.75 -mile paved trail behind the park office & visitor center is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, and the new 3.5-mile Iron Hill Trail is open to both hikers and bikers. Named for the soil's rich red color caused by high iron-ore content, Red Top Mountain was once an important mining area for iron.

IRON HILL BIKE TRAIL
The parking lot for this trail is located off Red Top Mountain Road, on the right a half mile past the campground. It is a graveled trail that is accessible to both hikers and bicycles. From the parking lot, follow the directional signs to the trailhead. This scenic trail is a loop that winds along the banks of the lake through a historic area that was once home to an active iron mining community in the mid 1800s. Along the way you will have the opportunity to observe both native wildlIiRfeONanHdILLaBpIKrEoTfRuAsiIoL n of native plants.

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3

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Iron Hill Bike Trail - 3.9 mile loop

Gravel Surface / MODERATE

WHITE TAIL TRAIL
This trail begins at the Lodge parking area and shares a trailhead with the Sweet Gum Trail Loop. The Whitetail Trail then turns off the Sweet Gum Trail Loop and runs north to the eWnHdIToEfTAaILscTeRAnIiLc point at the edge of Lake Allatoona.

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0.5
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White Tail Trail - 0.5 mile, one way Compacted Soil Surface / MODERATE

HOMESTEAD TRAIL (counter-clockwise)

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1

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4

Miles

Homestead Trail (counter-clockwise) - 5.5 mile loop

Compacted Soil Surface / MODERATE

VISITOR CENTER LOOP TRAIL (counter-clockwise)

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0

0.75
Miles
Visitor Center Loop Trial (counter-clockwise) - 0.75 mile loop Compacted Soil Surface / MODERATE

LODGE LOOP TRAIL (counter-clockwise)

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0.75
Miles
Lakeside Trial (counter-clockwise) - 0.75 mile loop Paved Surface / EASY

SWEETGUM LODGE LOOP TRAIL (counter-clockwise)

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1
Miles
Sweetgum Lodge Loop Trial (counter-clockwise) - 3.5 mile loop Compacted Soil Surface / MODERATE

HOMESTEAD TRAIL This trail begins at the front porch of the park Visitor Center, turns north for one mile, crosses Lodge Road and then makes a 3.5 mile loop through some of the most beautiful areas of the park. The loop portion follows the lakeshore for approximately half its length. Completion of the loop brings the hiker back to the same one mile route to the front porch. This trail is named after one of several homesteads which were once located in the loop portion. Trail is blazed yellow and is not accessible to bicycles.
VISITOR CENTER LOOP TRAIL This beautiful trail begins one hundred yards down the beginning of the Sweet Gum Trail from the Visitor Center parking area. The Sweet Gum Trail will bear sharp left and the Visitor Center Loop will bear sharp right. Shaded hardwood forest, a small spring fed stream, and two viewing/relaxation platforms can be enjoyed. Trail is blazed red and is not accessible to bicycles.
LAKESIDE TRAIL This short paved trail starts at the Visitor Center parking lot and makes a loop around on the shore of Lake Allatoona. It is ADA accessible trail for the entire length. A focal point is the 1869 Vaughn cabin located right along the trail. Visitors enjoy special programs held at the cabin as well as relaxing on the benches along the trail and shoreline. Trail is not blazed and no bicycles are allowed.
SWEETGUM LODGE LOOP TRAIL This trail begins at the Visitor Center parking area and also follows a route north. After 0.5 mile the trail then makes a loop through the Visitor Center area of the park and then back to the 0.5 mile section for a return to the Visitor Center. The Sweet Gum Trail also travels south from the Visitor Center to the campground, allowing campers to access the park trail without driving. There are sections of the trail where Homestead and Sweet Gum share the same pathway. These sections are marked with yellow and red blazes. Trail is not accessible to bicycles.

SAFETY TIPS & ETTIQUETTE
Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time.
Be prepared for unexpected weather changes by dressing inlayers and carrying rain gear.
Take a map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and whistle. Three short blasts on a whistle are known as a call for help.
Do not stray from trails. If you become lost, stay in one location and wait for help. This will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Don't count on cell phones to work in the wilderness, but if they do, be able to give details about your location.
Invest in good hiking socks such as those found at sporting goods stores. Avoid blisters by carrying "moleskin" and applying it as soon as you feel a hot spot on your feet. Available in the foot care section of drug stores, moleskin is like felt that sticks to your skin.
Be prepared for unexpected rain and wind which can lead to hypothermia. Always carry quality rain gear and turn back in bad weather. If you become wet or cold, it is important to get dry and warm as quickly as possible.
Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Luckily, today's hikers can choose from numerous fabrics that wick moisture, dry quickly or conserve heat. Many experienced hikers wear a lightweight shirt that wicks moisture, while carrying a fleece pullover and rain jacket.
Pack out all trash.
Keep pets on a leash at all times. This is strictly enforced. Maximum leash length is 6 feet.
Do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife.
Protect the landscape by staying on trails.
Alcohol is prohibited in public areas of the park.
A Georgia ParkPass is required to be displayed in your vehicle. Passes are available at all major parking lots and inside the Park Office & Visitor Center.

Month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

CLIMATE DATA FOR CARTERSVILLE

Avg. Avg.

Avg.

High Low Mean Precip. Record High

Record Low

50F 55F 64F 72F 78F 85F 89F 88F 82F 72F 62F 53F

30F 32F 38F 45F 55F 63F 67F 66F 60F 47F 39F 33F

40F 44F 51F 58F 66F 74F 78F 77F 71F 60F 51F 43F

4.00 in 4.30 in 5.23 in 4.07 in 3.27 in 3.57 in 3.62 in 3.05 in 3.27 in 2.55 in 3.69 in 3.84 in

79F (2002) 83F (1977) 87F (2002) 93F (1986) 98F (1962) 105F (1954) 106F (1954) 108F (1954) 106F (1954) 100F (1954) 87F (1961) 81F (1956)

-9F(1985) 1F (1996) 8F (1960) 22F (1987) 31F (1961) 40F (1966) 49F (1967) 48F (1964) 30F (1967) 23F (1961) 4F (1950) -3F (1983)

20M / $1860 - printed September 2010