PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - F.D. Roosevelt State Park covers 10,874 acres in Harris County, making it Georgia's largest state park, according to Georgia State Parks. The park sits next to Muscogee County, which makes it one of the closest large outdoor destinations for Columbus residents. It has about 43 miles of trails, two lakes, 21 cottages and 115 tent, trailer and RV campsites, according to the state.

The park is named for the 32nd president, who came to the area in 1924 to swim in naturally warm springs that offered relief from polio, according to the state. His home, Roosevelt's Little White House State Historic Site, is nearby and preserves the modest house and the pools that first drew him. The park's signature route is the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. The state's park page lists the rest of the facilities and rules.

The park by the numbers

Trails, horses and water

The longest route is the 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail, and 28 miles of the park's trails are open for horseback riding, according to Georgia State Parks. The park lists stables at 706-628-7463. Hiking, boating and paddling, fishing and stargazing are among the activities the state lists, and rentals are available for boating and paddling.

The two lakes are Lake Delanor and Lake Franklin, according to the state's page. The park also has outdoor fitness equipment, a playground and picnic areas, and it lists birding and geocaching among its activities. Swimming at the Liberty Bell Pool requires a fee, and the pool is seasonal.

Dowdell's Knob and the Roosevelt story

Dowdell's Knob is an overlook above King's Gap where Roosevelt sometimes picnicked, and a life-size statue of him stands there, according to the state. The overlook has shorter hours than the park: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through March. Visitors in the colder months should plan to be off the knob by 5 p.m.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built several park amenities during the Great Depression, including the cottages and the Liberty Bell swimming pool, which is fed by cool springs. The pool itself is seasonal, according to the state. The state does not list nightly cottage or campsite prices on the park page, so visitors should check the reservation system for current rates.

Hours, fees and how to get there

Overnight guests pay the daily ParkPass fee once per vehicle for their whole stay, according to the state. The page does not list the dollar amounts for parking, campsites, cottages or the pool. Visitors should confirm costs before they go.

A burn restriction to know about

As of Nov. 5, the state's park page said a fire ban was in effect at Sassafras Hill and Grindstone Gap because of a lack of water. The notice does not say how long the ban will last or whether it applies elsewhere in the park. Campers should call the park office before packing firewood or planning a campfire.

Planning a visit from Columbus

Because the park is in Harris County, a day trip from Columbus does not require leaving the area. The state lists weddings, field trips and scouting among the park's uses, and weddings require park approval. A call to the park office at 706-663-4858 is the best way to learn about crowds, trail conditions and any closures.

Anyone considering a first visit should know the park's hours and the overlook's shorter winter hours before leaving. The Columbus Times will update this guide if the state changes its fees, hours or fire restrictions. The state's page at gastateparks.org is the best place to check current conditions.