James H. (Sloppy) Floyd State Park Trail Map 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road Summerville, Georgia 30747 Park: 706-857-0826 Emergency: 911 Reservations: 1-800-864-7275 GeorgiaStateParks.org Wildlife Lake Road pit toilets LOWER LAKE Lower Lake Loop To Hwy 27 Summerville Fl yd Lake Road Slo #1 R #4 #2 #3 P ake Loop ppy o UPPER LAKE Upper L ine Tra T ail enkins Sl Sloppy Floyd Lake Road P R oppy Floyd Lake Road J Marble M Gap il r Skillet Road Lick 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet LEGEND Park Office P Parking Restroom Picnic Shelter Picnic Area Boat Ramp Cottage RV Camping Tent Camping Dump Station Camp Laundry Camp Shower Playground Pioneer Camp R Staff Residence Accessible Paved Roads Connector Trails Lower Lake Trail Upper Lake Trail Marble Mine Trail Jenkins Gap Trail Pinhoti Trail ti Tr ail Pinho Surrounded by rural countryside and the Chattahoochee National Forest, this quiet park in northwest Georgia offers outstanding fishing on two stocked lakes. Visitors can hike along three miles of lake loop trails and relax in swings while watching for the many bluebirds that live in the park. A trailhead to the scenic 330-mile Pinhoti Trail is only a 1.6-mile hike from the park. Children especially enjoy the playground, feeding fish from the boardwalk and renting pedal boats. A small campground and four cottages are nestled on tree-covered hillsides. This park was named for Representative James H. "Sloppy" Floyd who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1953 until 1974. ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES CAMPING There are 25 tent and trailer sites with water and electrical hook-ups, picnic tables, grills and fire rings. The shaded sites are within walking disctance of hte lakes. Pull-through sites accommodate large trailers. There is a sanitary disposal station, a comfort station with hot showers, flush toilets and laundry machines, and a children's playground within the camping area. PIONEER CAMPING A primitive tent camping area offering water and pit privies is available by reservation to organized groups. PICNICKING This park has some of the prettiest picnic spots in Georgia. Four opne-air shelters may be reserved up to 11 months in advance or are available on a first come basis when not reserved. Several picnic tables and grills are located throughtout the park. Please use trash receptacles. Picnicking is not allowed in the campground. FISHING Two fishing lakes are open for legal fishing yearround. Two fishing docks and two boat ramps are provided. Persons age 16 or older must have a valid resident/nonresident fishing license. Lakes are stocked with channel catfish, bream and bass. Fishing hours are daylight until dark. BOATING Pedal boats and fishing boats are available for rental. Private boats are permitted on lakes with trolling motors only. All boats must comply with Georgia Boating Safety Laws. HIKING Park visitors can choose from several hiking trails, including two half-miile paths that follow along the upper and lower lakes. The .8-mile Marble Mine Trail takes hikers up to Taylor's Ridge and an abandoned mine, then it coninues 1.2-miles to the Pinhoti Trail. Beginning near Talladega, Alabama, the Pinhoti Trail stretched more than 300 miles across Georgia and Alabama, offering many options for day-hikers and backpacking trips. COTTAGES Four fully equipped cottages provide two bedrooms, two bathrooms, linens, kitchen utensils, wood-burning fireplaces, and a picnic table and grill outside. Nestled in the woods above the lake, the cottages have beautiful views. These may be reserved up to 11 months in advance. MARBLE MINE TRAIL Compacted Natural Soil | Rating: Moderate | Foot Travel Only The Marble Mine Trail may be accessed from the day-use area. This trail follows the old road to the Marble Mine, one of the park's most scenic features. The spring and winter rainfall generates a small 35-foot waterfall over the marble outcropping. The Marble Mine trail beyond the Mine connects to the 330mile National Scenic Pinhoti Trail and presents several winter views of Lookout Mountain. PINHOTI TRAIL Compacted Natural Soil | Rating: Strenuous | Foot Travel Only The Pinhoti Trail is a 330-mile National Scenic Trail that traverses half a mile through the park. Either the Marble Mine or Jenkins Gap Trail may be used as an approach. The trail can also be accessed North on Highway 27 or South on Highway 100 and hiked 7 miles back into the park either route. The section that comes through the park is Georgia section 7. MARBLE MINE / PINHOTI LOOP (clockwise) 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 800 700 0 1 2 Miles JENKINS GAP TRAIL Compacted Natural Soil | Rating: Strenuous | Foot Travel Only The Jenkins Gap Trail may be accessed at the Pinhoti Parking Lot. This hike leads a strenuous climb to the top of Taylor Ridge accessing the Pinhoti Trail. The JGT, MMT and Pinhoti create a 2.9-mile loop with several shorter connectors along the way. LOWER LAKE LOOP TRAIL Compacted Natural Soil | Rating: Easy | Foot Travel Only The Lower Lake Trail may be accessed from the park office or at the trailhead on the spillway. Wildflowers, native flowering shrubs like the Oakleaf Hydrangea, and American Chestnuts can be seen along the way. Accessed from the connector trail starting by the cabins or campground can create a 1.8 mile outand-back. UPPER LAKE LOOP TRAIL Compacted Natural Soil | Rating: Easy | Foot Travel Only The Upper Lake Trail may be started at the park office or in the day-use picnic area. This trail takes you over open water, across the boardwalk and between the twin lakes offering great birding opportunities. Meandering through several wooded, fern covered hillsides the upper lake trail also showcases many woodland wildflowers. TRAIL SAFETY & ETIQUETTE Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time. Be prepared for unexpected weather changes by dressing inlayers and carrying rain gear. Unexpected rain and wind 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. 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. Pack out all trash. Keep pets on a leash. Do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife. Protect the landscape by staying on trails. Do not shortcut switchbacks. This practice is dangerous and can create major erosion problems. Stay together. Don't allow hikers, especially children, to run ahead or lag behind. Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec CLIMATE DATA FOR SUMMERVILLE Avg. Avg. Avg. High Low Mean Precip. Record High 49F 29F 39F 5.57 in 78F (1975) 54F 31F 43F 5.67 in 82F (1977) 63F 37F 50F 5.52 in 88F (2007) 71F 44F 58F 4.55 in 92F (1960) 78F 53F 66F 5.01 in 95F (1962) 85F 62F 74F 4.24 in 102F (1952) 88F 66F 77F 4.80 in 89F (1980) 88F 65F 77F 4.05 in 105F (1954) 82F 59F 71F 4.43 in 104F (1954) 72F 47F 60F 3.68 in 95F (1954) 62F 38F 50F 5.58 in 88F (2003) 51F 31F 41F 5.60 in 81F (1951) Record Low -13F (1985) -6F (1966) 7F (1993) 22F (2007) 30F (1971) 37F (1966) 47F (1970) 47F (1968) 29F (1967) 19F (1952) 2F (1950) -2F (1983) recycled paper | February 2012 2500 / $775