Fort Yargo State Park, State park and heritage site in Winder, Georgia, United States.
Fort Yargo State Park covers 1,816 acres between Athens and Atlanta, one mile south of Winder off Georgia State Route 81. Its centrepiece is a 260-acre lake with a public beach, ringed by hiking and biking trails, picnic shelters and campsites. The park's log blockhouse measures 18 by 22 feet over two storeys, built of logs about 10 inches thick joined at the corners by interlocking wedge-shaped notches.
Fort Yargo was built in 1793 by the Humphries brothers under a state contract for four frontier forts, three miles southwest of Jug Tavern, now Winder. In 1810 George Washington Humphrey sold the fort and 121 acres to John Hill for $167. The Daughters of the American Revolution began restoration in 1927, and in 1954 land was donated to create the state park.
The fort is not a reconstruction: the Humphries brothers built it in 1793, and its 18 by 22 foot two-story blockhouse of roughly 10-inch logs joined by interlocking wedge-shaped notches still stands. Local citizens and the Fort Yargo Living History Society work to restore it and outbuildings, and scheduled living history dates let visitors learn the site's history.
The park offers a range of overnight lodging options including tent and RV camping areas as well as cabins and alternative structures for longer stays. Conditions vary across different sections, and sturdy footwear is recommended for walking the forest trails.
The property features specialized recreation options including a disc golf course laid out through forest terrain, offering a lesser-known alternative to standard athletic activities. This sport attracts both beginners and experienced players who enjoy exploring the natural layout.
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