Wilderness
What is wilderness?
The Wilderness Act of 1964 states: “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”
Wilderness areas have been designated so by an act of congress, and are federally protected in order to maintain and allow ecological and biological processes to progress naturally with little to no human influence or intervention. They are managed with a focus on protecting and preserving the natural environment, processes and heritage properties from human influence. They offer outstanding opportunities to experience solitude or a primitive and unconfined style of recreation.
Please visit Wilderness.net for more information, including maps of Wildernesses in Georgia.
What do I need to know about camping in the wilderness?
Primitive camping is permitted in wildernesses, however camping alongside streams and in heavily vegetated areas is discouraged. Depending on the specific wilderness, markers are often placed in the form of a single steel post or rod in areas selected by wilderness rangers as safe for camping (meaning limited damage to the natural environment would be incurred by human presence).
Wilderness visitors are encouraged to “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and to “leave no trace.” Signs are very limited, so visitors are encouraged to be skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant, and well-prepared. Search and rescue or recovery is not readily available. Travel and recreation within wilderness is strictly non-motorized.
Visitor controls and specific rules pertaining to individual wildernesses such as permitting, restrictions in party size, closures to camping, or similar measures necessary to preserve and protect wilderness values may be enforced, so check with your local District office before attempting your trip to be sure you are aware of the rules. Rules are strictly enforced and punished by law.