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Whether you’re stationed in the Pacific Northwest, the southeast or overseas, one thing remains true – Army Outdoor Recreation strives to provide abundant outdoor services and activities for military families! With the ringing of 2021, Army Family & MWR is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Army Outdoor Recreation. In celebration of such a monumental milestone, Fort Benning Family & MWR will be guiding local patrons all summer long through services and resources offered by Outdoor Recreation, so you can start planning for your next outdoor adventure. HIKE + WALK + RUN One of our favorite hiking spots in Southwest Georgia, often known as the Little Grand Canyon, is Providence Canyon State Park – only 30 miles south of Fort Benning! Our Outdoor Recreation team leads several day hikes in this vibrant canyon throughout the year, so be sure to save your spot for the next one. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel 30 miles to find hiking trails here at Fort Benning. The Downing Mile, often used for physical training sessions, offers a scenic dirt trail with broad elevation changes through the woods and along the Chattahoochee River. If you’re seeking to get your miles in on an easier grade trial, consider the paved trails across Fort Benning, including the Patton Recreation trails, roadside trails and the Riverwalk. The Follow Me Fitness Trail is also a popular spot. Although it’s not paved, it offers easier terrain, fitness stations and a chance to spot wildlife. RIDE If you’re new to the area, one of the first things you may have noticed is the strong bicycle culture present in the community. Some of our favorite bike trails on post are the mountain bike trails, which begin at the corner of 1st Division Road and
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Dixie Road, and the Riverwalk, starting just east of the intersection of Baltzell Avenue and Miller Loop. Although only a small portion of the Riverwalk feeds into Fort Benning, you can continue onto the Riverwalk north towards Columbus to discover a network of over 30 miles of trail, perfect for bike rides. In need of a bike? Outdoor Recreation Equipment Resource Center has a wide selection of bikes available for rent for men, women and children! CAMP Whether you need a weekend under the stars or a glamping trip in one of our cozy cabins, Uchee Creek Campground & Marina is just moments away from the back gate of Fort Benning. For a more primitive camping experience, consider our secluded campsites around Kings Pond and Weems Pond near Harmony Church. You can bring your own tents and other camping supplies, or stop by Outdoor Recreation Equipment Resource Center so our staff can assist you with everything you might need. PADDLE Looking to fulfill your love for paddle sports? You’ve come to the right place! The Fort Benning and Columbus communities eat, sleep and breathe the river life. Grab your paddleboard, kayak or canoe
and hop on the Chattahoochee river for a leisurely paddle or a rush on the rapids. For an easygoing afternoon on the water, Kings Pond and Twilight Pond are beautiful, spacious ponds offering access to pavilions, boat ramps and picnic tables. FISH Pack up your fishing gear, or grab extra supplies from Outdoor Recreation Equipment Resource Center, and head out to one of Fort Benning’s ponds for a morning on the water. Russ, Twilight, Kings, Weems & Victory Ponds all offer a variety of fish for new and experienced anglers alike. PLAY The Fort Benning Golf Course, first established in 1923, is rich in military history. The course is located on Main Post, about one mile from I-185, and is a full-service facility open to the public. Our newest addition to the golf course greens is Patton Recreation Area, featuring 18-hole Disc and Foot
Golf courses. You can easily walk these courses or rent a cart from the Golf Pro Shop. Need some gear to start your game? The Golf Pro Shop and Outdoor Recreation Equipment Resource Center have all the equipment you’ll need to get started on your next round of golf, disc golf or footgolf! WARRIOR ADVENTURE QUEST This is for all the Active Duty Soldiers on Fort Benning! Warrior Adventure Quest (WAQ) is an Army RESET training tool designed to introduce Soldiers to activities that serve as alternatives to aberrant behaviors often associated with accidents involving recently re-deployed Soldiers. This tool presents coping outlets to help Soldiers realize their own new level of normal after deployment and “move on” with their lives. WAQ combines existing MWR Outdoor Recreation high adventure activities with a leader-led after action debriefing tool developed by Army Medical Department center and school.
The outdoor opportunities don’t end here. Whether you’re a hunter, runner, watersports lover or hiker, Outdoor Recreation is here to serve you! How can you help us celebrate 50 years of Army Outdoor Recreation? 1. Share how you recreate outdoors on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #ArmyODR50. Don’t forget to tag @ArmyODR and @BenningMWR! 2. Help us share the five decades of Army Outdoor Recreation’s growth and development. Do you have a story to tell or photos of you and family/friends enjoying Outdoor Recreation opportunities here at Benning or another post? Email us at benningmwr@gmail.com with your Outdoor Recreation photos and/ or Outdoor Recreation stories for a chance to be featured in our local campaign! 3. Participate in one of our local Outdoor Recreation programs! We have something new every month, so keep an eye out and plan to spend your summer with Fort Benning Outdoor Recreation. 4. Get outside! Fort Benning’s outdoor spaces are never-ending and are calling your name. Grab your family and friends this summer and take advantage of all the outdoor activities and spaces available to you so close to home. Follow along with us this year for a number of activities to get you and your family active outside! Ready to start exploring today? Visit benning.armymwr.com/programs/outdoor-recreation to learn more, or give our experienced outdoor staff a call at 706-545-7978. We’ll catch you outside!
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