Red Top Mountain Homestead Loop via the Visitor Center Red Top Mountain State Park, GA
miles
LENGTH 3.6 MILES
DIFFICULTY 3.6 Easy
DURATION 1-2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
540
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Red Top Mountain Homestead Loop via the Visitor Center

Enjoy a shorter version of the Red Top Mountain Homestead Trail by starting at the Visitor Center and hiking around just the loop. Hike around this twisty loop for a view of Allatoona Lake along wide, well maintained trails. You can also add the .9-mile White Tail spur trail for even better views of the lake.

The Homestead Trail can be accessed at the Trading Post along Red Top Mountain Road, but limited parking means you may have to begin at the Visitor Center. You can still do the whole trail or make a double loop with the Sweet Gum Trail, but if you want something a little shorter, this hike may be for you.

At the Visitor Center (the top blue marker on the map), begin at the red-blazed Sweet Gum trailhead just to the left of the entrance to the parking lot. Take this quarter-mile trail to the intersection with the Homestead Trail near the road crossing. Along here, you can also add the White Tail Trail that goes out to excellent views of Allatoona Lake and adds less than a mile to your hike. At the intersection, instead of crossing the road, turn right and you'll immediately hit the split in the Homestead Trail to form it's loop.

You can take the trail in either direction but the elevation map below shows hiking clockwise around the loop. While a large section of the trail follows the lake closely, you won't get much view in the summer due to the trees. There is one place with a bench that has a couple areas where you can get out closer to the water for good lake views. Finish the loop then retrace your steps along the Sweet Gum Trail back to the parking lot.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.9 mi
87 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.5 mi
204 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.4 mi
223 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
275 ft
45 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
129 ft
26 ft
Elevation Loss
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Loss
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
0.8 mi
111 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.5 mi
198 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.4 mi
220 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
206 ft
33 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
97 ft
23 ft
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length3.6 miles
difficulty3.6 Easy
duration1 - 2 hours
features Dog Friendly  Lake 
trail typeLoop
blazeRed (Sweet Gum), Yellow (Homestead), White (White Tail)
elevation gain540 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestRed Top Mountain State Park
visitor infoVisitor Center
50 Lodge Road SE
Acworth, GA 30102
770-975-0055 (Park), 770-975-4226 (Visitor Center)
hours7am - Dark (Park), 8am - 5pm (Office)
parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass
trailhead coordinates 34.154858, -84.703126 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°9.29, W 84°42.19 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°9'17'', N 34°9'17'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.154858, -84.703126 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°9.29, W 84°42.19 most GPS units use this one
N 34°9'17'', N 34°9'17'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
The trailhead is on the left at the entrance to the parking lot of the Visitor Center.
Parking Capacity
100+ parking spaces.
Notes
Better lake view in winter.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
hikethesouth-4 years ago
Solid Quick Loop
I tried parking at the Trading Post but it was full up fast so had to park at the Visitor Center which is a much larger parking lot. I suspect this is how most people access the Homestead Trail. Doing the loop part only makes for a shorter hike but you can also add the White Tail trail to add some extra views. Under shade the whole way so really good for dogs in the summer heat.
Easy | Hiked Summer 2020
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