2 of my Favorite Trails in Franklin D Roosevelt State Park-be sure to save this!

Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park

Franklin D Roosevelt State Park is a great place for hikers with over 40 miles of trails. We recommend starting at the visitors center (there is a bathroom there). Before you exit the park, make sure you stop Dowdell Knob for an amazing view. FDR spent a lot of time picnicking at Dowdell Knob. There is a memorial there for where he had his grill for his many picnics.

Long Leaf Loop Trail

The Long Leaf Loop Trail starts and ends at the visitors center and according to All Trails it is 6.9 miles; according to my watch and All Trails App it was 7.2 miles with a 1,066 feet in elevation. It took us 3 hrs and 21 minutes of hiking time to complete this moderate trail.

There is a perfect resting point at about the halfway point; there are picnic tables outside the pool gates. Most of the elevation change was from mile 5 and on; it was definitely challenging with tired legs. 

Waterfalls Trail

The Waterfalls Trail starts at Mile 23 of the Pine Mountain Trail. If you put in Cascade Falls Trailhead, Waze will navigate you to the parking lot to the Mile 23 trail entry parking area.  All Trails rates this trail as moderate and I agree; there are some easy areas, but a lot of it is moderately challenging. It is about 4.2 miles out and back.  There are a few times you have to make a rock crossing across Wolfden Branch Creek. You get to the first crossing at .99 mile. The first “falls” you come to along the trail is Csonka Falls. This is a very small falls, but a nice view as you pass along the trail.

After Csonka Falls, you will come to the second creek passing at about 1.37 mile. Next stop is Big Rock Falls; once again they use the word Falls loosely! This is a pretty small set of falls, but it is still a nice view along the hike.

After Big Rock Falls, you quickly come to Slippery Rock Falls. All the falls as very small, but just being out on the trail and hearing the running water and the cool breeze, is very relaxing and enjoyable.

At about 2.08 miles in, you come to Cascade Falls. There is a small pool at the foot of the falls, that you can cool off in. Trust me, you will want too in this Georgia heat!

The town of Warm Springs

After hiking, I recommend you head over to the quaint, friendly town of Warm Springs. It is filled with cute boutiques and shops; there are a few restaurants too. The restaurants that we recommend are Lightnin’ Bugs Bakery and Café and The Bulloch House.

Lightnin’ Bugs Bakery & Café

Lightnin’ Bugs Bakery & Café is a nice lunch spot. It is located right in downtown, but you enter through a boutique. The cafe is in the back of the boutique, so don’t let the façade fool you. It is a small café with probably only 8-10 tables inside and a few tables outside too.

Bulloch House

Another restaurant in Warm Springs that is pretty tasty is The Bulloch House. It is a down-home southern cooking, buffet style restaurant. If you’re wanting a full meal, check it out.

FDR’s Little White House

If you are in to history, take a tour of FDR’s Little White House. You really shouldn’t miss it; you are so close!

FDR Little White House I always say if you’re nearby, visit whatever is there; there is no way to know that the “place or thing” will be there next time you visit or if you’ll ever have an opportunity to visit there again. Make sure you don’t have any regrets that you didn’t stop.

Warm Springs

Warm Springs is one of the Seven Wonders in Georgia, but what is really Warm Springs? The actual Springs? The town? FDR’s Little White House? or the FDR Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation? I would expect it was the actual springs. They are on the Campus of the Institute for Rehabilitation enclosed in a building; we are unsure if or how you can access these. We explored around the campus. It was almost like an entire town within the campus. 

There are so many wonderful places to check out in Georgia! If you’re ever making a visit to this beautiful state, reach out and We can help you with your itinerary! We love my great state! Check out more Georgia Explorations at Hike 3 Beautiful Moderate to Strenuous trails in Cloudland Canyon State Park S&E