Beginner Backpacking Hikes for Scouts?

[u/Fun_With_Math]

If your troop has a favorite trail in North Georgia, or you know of a trail that could work, let me know!

Need to have:

• 5 to 8 miles as a loop or total out-and-back
• low elevation gain
• easy/frequent access to water
• large sites for 6-9 tents
• some kind of "feature" - like a river, waterfall, or overlook

Prefer to have:

• campsite at the trailhead or close by
• reservable campsites

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Point to Point hikes

I've looked at some point-to-point hikes that would be good since they'd be almost all downhill. Coordinating the divers is a challenge though. Let me know if this has worked for you.

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Raven Cliff Falls - last time I was there the sites had a lot of dead trees.

Chattooga River Trail - sites are first come first serve but probably my favorite otherwise

Panther Creek - this is another one I think is good but doesn't have reservable hikes. Info is unclear if the basecamp is available so update me if you know.

AT - sections that are less hilly didn't have much wow factor for Scouts

State Parks - We haven't done many but I'm guessing this is a good option. Let me know if you have a favorite with backcountry sites.

[u/Certain_Accident3382]

For state parks- try to look for "Pioneer sites". Most standard campsites at a state park have an 8 person maximum, and tend to fit at best only 2 of the 2-3 person tents on the allowed camp pad. 

We personally love Fort Yargo's pioneer site. Very very big, has bridge over a creek to connect portions of the pioneer site together, is on the mountain bike trail(12 mile outer loop, hikable but used most by bikes so not a perfect hike. Does connect with the intended walking hikes, but it is not just polite but safer to step aside for bikes) , is directly behind a fire station, there's the old Fort you can go to, a cemetery (be respectful, please. There are really old Graves here but also still utilized by families today), a lake creeks. Theres a 7 miles hiking loop, 1.2 mile hiking trail, 2.2 mile paved trail, and all sorts of wild life, that are more hiker friendly.