Pocket Picnic Shelter

Overview

Pocket Picnic Shelter is a reservable shelter in the Pocket Recreation Area located in Armuchee, Ga. The shelter is a great location to hold family get togethers, birthday parties, work luncheons, retirement parties, or any other celebration one can think of.

The Pocket Recreation Area is located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the ridges and valleys of northwest Georgia. The shelter sits in a low lying geographical area between Horn and Mill mountains. This low lying area was formed by limestone dissolving, leaving the ridges above and valleys below. These ridges are rich in iron ore "pockets" giving this area its name. Deer and turkeys thrive in the surrounding forest. Spring wildflowers and autumn colors abound, showcasing the beauty of the region. Nearby trails and overlooks allow visitors to enjoy the National Forest from different perspectives.

The Pocket area is rich in cultural and historical history. In the mid-1800s until the Great Depression in the 1930s, this area consisted of two communities, Pocket and Zone. These communities consisted of farms, churches, home places, a grist mill, a saw mill, and a general store. Between 1938 and 1942, the Pocket Recreation Area was the site of a thriving Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camp for Company 3435. The men of the CCC, under the guidance of the U.S. Forest Service, had a tremendous impact on the area. They were involved in building roads, bridges, erosion control, tree planting, and the construction of recreation sites. The CCC played an instrumental part in helping local farmers with erosion control and road maintenance. Remnants of the camp can be found throughout the Pocket Recreation Area. These remnants include foundations for buildings, drainange trenches, and the retaining walls and spring box in the picnic area.

Activities in the Pocket Recreation Area include camping, picnicking, hiking, and trout fishing in nearby Johns Creek.

Recreation

The Pocket Picnic Shelter is located in the Pocket Picnic Area, part of the Pocket Recreation Area. The Pocket Recreation Area consists of the picnic shelter, a picnic area, and a campground. Camping, picnicking, hiking, birding, and wildflower viewing are all popular activities in the area.

The trail heads for the Pocket Loop Trail and Pocket Interpretive Trail are located in the picnic area. A Civilian Conservation Corps spring box is located in the creek, releasing cold water from deep below the surface. This is a great place to wade and cool off during long summer days.