As a kid growing up in a lower-middle class family in North Georgia, camping and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains were our primary travel adventures.
From a multi-day trek on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and a memorable school trip to the Okefenokee Swamp to family getaways in Cloudland Canyon, these trips instilled my deep love of nature and wildlife.
North Georgia was my primary stomping grounds, but there are 40+ Georgia State Parks that offer camping in tents, RVs, and/or yurts, with 84,000 acres of wilderness to explore.
And that doesn’t include the countless Georgia camping options connected to the Chattahoochee National Forest, Cohutta Wilderness, Corps of Engineers, and privately-owned campgrounds.
There are even some cool campgrounds in metro Atlanta, which offer a tranquil escape to nature without leaving a city of 6+ million people!
Read on for our in-depth guide to the 15 best campgrounds in Georgia, including an overview of available campsites, campground amenities, and things to do nearby.
READ MORE: The 10 Best National Parks in Georgia to Visit
Best Campgrounds in Georgia Guide
(Arranged Geographically)
- Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground
- Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground
- Fort Mountain State Park
- Lake Conasauga Campground
- Vogel State Park Campground
- Don Carter State Park
- Panola Mountain State Park Campground
- Red Top Mountain State Park
- Stone Mountain Park Campground
- Rivers End Campground and RV Park
- Skidway Island State Park
- Dames Ferry Park
- Forsyth KOA Journey
- Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee
- Tifton KOA Journey
READ MORE: Top 20 Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia
Campgrounds in North Georgia
1. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Clayton GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
The Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground is one of our favorite options for anyone hoping to experience North Georgia camping at its finest.
With an altitude of 3,640 feet, this is the highest state park in Georgia, located near the heart of Downtown Clayton GA.
This park offers an abundance of activities, including hiking trails, fishing Black Rock Lake, and an excellent Appalachian Mountains living history attraction, the Firefox Museum.
For a classic North Georgia Campgrounds experience, they offer 44 trailer, RV, and tent campsites and 12 walk-in campsites. Each drive-in site includes a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and electricity hookups.
There’s also a pioneer campground that can accommodate up to 50 people in four Adirondack-style buildings with bunks, shower facilities, electricity, a grill, and picnic tables.
READ MORE: The 15 Best North Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
2. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
Offering over 3,500 acres of dynamic terrain to explore, Cloudland Canyon State Park has stunning scenic views and another one of our favorite North GA campgrounds.
With sandstone cliffs, caves, 1,000-foot-deep canyons, and woodlands, this Northwest Georgia park has endless opportunities for adventure.
There are several different camping options available, including 72 drive-up campsites, 30 walk-in sites, 10 yurts, cabins, pioneer campsites, and backcountry campsites.
All drive-up campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents have water and electricity hookups, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. Walk-in sites have no electricity, but they do have water, restrooms, and showers.
Cloudland Canyon offers lots of fun things to do, including waterfalls, hiking trails, horseback riding trails, mountain biking trails, a disc gold course, and fishing opportunities.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Summerville GA
3. Fort Mountain State Park
181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
With the sheer number of Georgia campgrounds, it can be difficult to decide which ones are worth exploring.
But Fort Mountain State Park near Ellijay GA is a must-see, especially when the fall colors in Georgia are peaking.
The park has 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites to choose from, all with electricity and water hookups. Each of these sites also has a fire ring, grill, and a picnic table that guests are welcome to use.
There are also 4 walk-in campsites, 3 pioneer campsites, 4 backcountry campsites, and 6 platform campsites. They also 15 spacious cottages, which are fully furnished with kitchen appliances and AC/heat.
Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking are just a few of the fun activities that can be enjoyed at this state park. And don’t miss the historic CCC Tower at the top of Fort Mountain!
READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Ellijay GA for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4. Lake Conasauga Campground
Conasauga Lake Rd, Chatsworth GA • (706) 695-6737 • Official Website
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest just west of Ellijay, beautiful Lake Conasauga is home to one of the best campgrounds in GA.
At 3,150 feet above sea level, Lake Conasauga is the highest of the lakes in North Georgia’s mountains.
Visitors can enjoy activities, such as swimming, kayaking, and fishing for bluegill, trout, and bass. But note that only non-motorized boats are welcome on Lake Conasauga.
Located near Grassy Mountain, their campgrounds make a great base for exploring the Cohutta Wilderness. All 31 campsites here include picnic tables, a grill, and lantern posts.
The costs for camping at Lake Conasauga are only $15 a night. But the North GA campground is available by reservation only, so be sure to call before you arrive!
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Ellijay GA & Gilmer County
5. Vogel State Park Campground
405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA • (706) 745-2628 • Official Website
One of the oldest state parks in GA, Vogel State Park in Blairsville is widely considered one of the best options if you’re looking to go camping in Georgia.
There are 90 different campsites for tents, RVs, and trailers, all with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and gravel pads.
For those seeking a bit for more comfort, there are 34 Vogel State Park cabins for rent, with options ranging from one to two bedrooms. Many of the cabins offer stunning views of Lake Trahlyta.
There’s also a pioneer campground that can accommodate up to 50 people.
Vogel State Park has myriad activities for visitors to enjoy, including visiting Trahlyta Falls, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and exploring 17 miles of the best hiking trails in North Georgia.
READ MORE: 45 Fun Facts About Georgia State History, Culture & More
Campgrounds Near Atlanta GA
6. Don Carter State Park
5000 North Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
The first Georgia state park on Lake Lanier, Don Carter State Park makes for a fun day trip from Atlanta.
With 38,000 acres open for exploring, Lake Lanier is one of the largest lakes in Georgia, offering water-based activities such as swimming, sailing, kayaking, and fishing.
Visitors can also explore 14.5 miles of hiking trails, as well as renting boats or jet skis from one of the 11 public marinas on the lake.
The Don Carter State Park campgrounds include 44 different tent, RV, and trailer campsites, each with electricity and water hookups, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
There are also 14 primitive tent campsites available here, as well as 8 two-bedroom rental cabins.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Lake Houses in Georgia to Rent
7. Panola Mountain State Park Campground
2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge GA • (770) 389-7801 • Official Website
Located less than 20 miles from the heart of Atlanta, the 1,635-acre Panola Mountain State Park is relatively small, but beautiful, with scenic views that seem to stretch for miles.
Visitors to the park can enjoy all sorts of fun activities, including an archery range, playground, fishing, hiking trails, and more.
Panola Mountain has a total of 5 hike-in primitive campsites with picnic tables to choose from, all of which are located by Scout Lake and offer fire pits and fantastic views.
Note that there are no drive-up campsites available here, meaning there’s no electrical or water hookups, nor is there any plumbing.
So we recommend that only more experienced campers should consider camping at Panola Mountain State Park, and make sure to bring all your essential gear!
READ MORE: The 10 Hiking Essentials Packing List
8. Red Top Mountain State Park
50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
Red Top Mountain State Park is located on beautiful Lake Allatoona, where our family has kept our pontoon boat docked for 13+ years now
I’ve spent more time camping here than anywhere else, because it’s one of my favorite lakes in Georgia.
The campgrounds offer 93 different trailer, tent, and RV campsites to choose from, with most of them having water and electricity hookups.
Their pioneer campsite is also great for tent camping, with a water spigot, three picnic tables, direct access to the lake, and a fire ring.
They also have yurts that can accommodate up to 6 people (and have heating and electricity), as well as 20 recently renovated cabins for those averse to “roughing it.”
READ MORE: The 15 Best Lakes in Georgia to Visit
9. Stone Mountain Park Campground
4003 Stonewall Jackson Drive, Stone Mountain GA • (800) 385-9807 • Official Website
Stone Mountain Christmas is one of our favorite winter attractions. But Stone Mountain Park is a great place for camping in Georgia during the other 3 seasons.
Their campgrounds are surrounded by 3,200 acres of natural beauty. They offer 125 tent campsites with water/electricity hookups or 46 primitive campsites, both with either a lake view or forest view.
There are 250 RV sites and a few yurt rentals available. Each yurt can accommodate up to 8 guests, and has heating, air, and comfy furniture.
The Stone Mountain campground also features canvas safari tents with electrical outlets, wooden flooring, and furniture. They can house up to 4 guests, and are especially fun for families with children.
A swimming pool, playground, free WIFI, and laundry facilities have all helped to make this one of the most popular campgrounds in Atlanta.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Hiking Trails In Atlanta GA (& Hikes Near Atlanta)
Campgrounds Near Savannah GA
10. Rivers End Campground and RV Park
5 Fort Ave, Tybee Island, GA • (912) 786-5518 • Official Website
From Cumberland Island and Jekyll Island to Savannah and Skidaway Island State Park, beach camping in Georgia is a fun experience you’ll never forget.
Rivers End Campground & RV Park is located on Tybee Island, just 16 miles east of Savannah GA.
There are 7 drive-up campsites (including water and electricity hookups) and 9 primitive campsites to choose from, each of which has picnic tables and fire pits for visitors to enjoy.
RV sites are in greater abundance at Rivers End. There are 54 standard full hookup sites that accommodate RVs, trailers, and pop-up campers, and 32 preferred full hook-up sites that are more spacious.
Additionally, the campground has 8 cabins that can house up to 6 people, with two of these being pet-friendly cabin rentals.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Places to Visit in Georgia
11. Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
If you’re looking for great Savannah GA campgrounds, a visit to Skidaway Island State Park should be at the top of your list.
With miles of nature trails through salt marshes and maritime forests, this 588-acre state park is 15 miles from the city of Savannah, with some of Georgia’s best beaches just a short drive away.
Visitors can choose between 87 tent, trailer, and RV campsites, all with picnic tables, fire rings, and water/ electricity hookups. There are also 3 pioneer campsites that can house up to 30 people.
Camper cabins are also available, as are yurts. Both options come furnished, and have heating and cooling abilities for a more comfortable stay.
Hiking is the most popular activity at this Savannah campground, with 6 miles of trails to explore. There are also two different playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
READ MORE: Strawberry Picking in GA: The 10 Best Strawberry Farms to Visit
Campgrounds Near Macon GA
12. Dames Ferry Park
9546 GA Hwy. 87, Juliette GA • (800) 864-7275 • Official Website
If you’re looking for campgrounds near Macon GA, Dames Ferry Park is located 16 miles from Downtown Macon. It’s the only campground on the 3,600-acre Lake Juliette.
There are 30 tent, trailer, and RV campsites that visitors can choose from, all of which have electricity and water hookups and picnic tables.
Many of these campsites are also close to the lake, so there’s easy access to the water. You’ll also find two picnic shelters on site, as well as a playground for kids to enjoy.
There’s also a boat ramp and dock on the lake that’s available for guests to use. But note that boating here is limited to 25 horsepower motors.
Fishing is a very popular activity here, with perch, redear, crappie, and largemouth bass among the most commonly caught species.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Historic Sites in Georgia
13. Forsyth KOA Journey
414 S. Frontage Road, Forsyth GA • (800) 562-8614 • Official Website
Located 23 miles northwest of Macon, this is widely regarded as one of the best KOA campgrounds in Georgia.
Forsyth KOA Journey has a 4.5-star rating, and the campground offers lots of fun things to do to make everyone’s stay memorable.
There are numerous different options for guests to choose from, with 9 basic tent sites and 14 sites that have water and electric hookups. They also have over 100 campsites with full hookups for RVs or campers.
If you prefer having a roof over your head, there are also cabins available for rent. Each of these can sleep four to five people comfortably.
There’s a small lake on the property that’s great for fishing. And while there’s no swimming allowed in the lake, there is a swimming pool for visitors to use.
Other amenities of the Forsyth GA campground include a snack bar, mini golf, free Wifi, and bicycle rentals.
READ MORE: 10 Fun Places for Gem Mining in Georgia
Campgrounds in South Georgia
14. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee
2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston GA • (912) 496-3331 • Official Website
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 402,000-acre haven for nature lovers that spreads across several counties in Georgia and Florida.
It’s home to one of the wildest (and most wildlife-filled) campgrounds in South Georgia.
Camping at Okefenokee is best reserved for those with experience. Most of their campsites require a hike of 2 to 13 miles to reach them.
Okefenokee NWR camping options range from 1-night to 4-night trips, and there’s a fee of $15 per night for each camper.
The refuge has myriad activities to enjoy, including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and hunting. There are also ranger-led programs and self-guided car tours of the expansive wilderness.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Train Rides in Georgia & Georgia Railways Museums
15. Tifton KOA Journey
4632 Union Road, Tifton GA • (229) 386-8441 • Official Website
If you’re interested in camping in South Georgia, check out the Tifton KOA Journey Campground, which is located just 2.7 miles from Downtown Tifton.
There are 67 different RV sites to choose from, all of which are full hookup sites with fire rings and high speed Wifi.
They have 4 tent sites available with water and electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground is pet-friendly and there ‘s also a dog park for them to enjoy.
Catch-and-release fishing is a popular activity here, as are corn hole, volleyball, and playing pool in the campsite’s clubhouse.
There’s also a fun playground for the kids to enjoy! –by Samantha Dickens & Bret Love; featured image by Ralph Daniel courtesy of Explore Georgia
