[Updated 5/25/2022]
Taking day trips to explore the myriad North Georgia State Parks, hiking trails to waterfalls, and other outdoor attractions are fun and rewarding in their own right.
But camping overnight (or for the weekend) allows us to explore these natural wonders in much greater depth.
There’s nothing quite like being fully immersed in the sights and sounds of nature, cooking your own food over an open fire, and watching as the sun goes down and rises again, bring another day of adventures.
All across the North Georgia Mountains, you’ll find dozens of campgrounds that can facilitate those types of invigorating experiences.
To help you get in on the action, we’ve assembled a list of awesome campgrounds, including details about what each campsite offers as well as some of the best natural attractions you can explore nearby.
So whether you’re looking for a rustic camping experience, a lakeside sunrise, or a cool spot to park your RV, read on for our picks for the 15 Best Campgrounds in North Georgia!
READ MORE: 101+ Things to Do in North Georgia
Best Campgrounds in North Georgia Guide
- Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground
- Lake Rabun Beach Campground
- Vogel State Park Campground
- DeSoto Falls Campground
- Unicoi State Park Campground
- Lake Conasauga Campground
- Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground
- Moccasin Creek Campground
- Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground
- Deep Hole Campground
- Don Carter State Park
- Fort Mountain State Park
- Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
- James H. Floyd State Park
- Tugaloo State Park
1. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Clayton GA • 1-800-864-7275 • Official Website
Black Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia’s highest state park with cabins, with an altitude of 3,640 feet.
So it’s no surprise that the Clayton GA park offers campers some of the state’s most breathtaking views of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
The park is home to a number of excellent hiking trails that vary in length and elevation, but the most popular is the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail.
It traverses some of the park’s highest points, gifting you with stellar views that span all the way into North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Black Rock Lake provides fishing and kayaking opportunities. You can also stop by the Firefox Museum to learn more about Appalachian culture and history, or browse the Visitors Center gift shop for souvenirs.
When it’s time to settle down for the night, there are 10 cottages (eight 2-bedrooms and two 3-bedrooms) along with 44 tent, trailer, and RV campsites.
There are 12 walk-in campsites that include electricity and water hookups, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
There are four backcountry campsites for tent camping only, each of which has a grill and fire ring. One of these (4 Creek Ridge) also has fresh water available.
A pioneer campground that can fit up to 50 campers is also available, and includes four Adirondack-style buildings with built-in bunks, electricity, shower facilities, and water along with a grill, fire ring, and picnic tables.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Treehouse Rentals in the Georgia Mountains
2. Lake Rabun Beach Campground
4726 Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont GA • 1-706-782-6798 • Official Website
Nestled among the mountains overlooking one of the best lakes in the North Georgia Mountains, the Lake Rabun Beach Campground is one of the best campgrounds in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
The 835-acre lake offers a plethora of water activities, including a roped-off swimming area, boat launch, and fishing pier where you can try your luck at catching bass, bream, perch, trout, and catfish.
Of course, with the campground being located in the national forest, there are an abundance of great hiking trails to explore within close proximity as well.
In fact, the trailhead for one of the most popular North Georgia waterfall hikes, the 1.7-mile Angel Falls and Panther Falls trail, is located at the back side of Lake Rabun Beach Campground.
Beautiful Minnehaha Falls is also just a short drive away (on the opposite side of the lake), and the excursion can easily be combined with the Angel Falls/Panther Falls hike on the same day.
The campground itself offers 80 campsites, 21 of which have electricity. It’s open to both tent camping and RVs.
Each campsite includes a grill, picnic table, and lantern post, and there are restroom facilities that include hot showers on site.
Reservations are required, but some first-come, first-served sites are available.
READ MORE: The Best 20 Hiking Trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest
3. Vogel State Park Campground
3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Clayton GA • 1-800-864-7275 • Official Website
Established in 1931, Vogel State Park is one of the oldest state parks in Georgia, offering a mixture of history, natural beauty, and adventure for campers to explore.
There are 90 tent, trailer, and RV campsites in the park, each of which includes a gravel pad, electric and water hookups, a fire ring, and a picnic table.
There are 34 one- and two-bedroom cabins available. There’s also a pioneer campground that’s perfect for groups, plus 18 walk-in campsites that offer gravel pads, but no electric or water hookups.
There are plenty of things to do in the state park, which is located at the base of Blood Mountain and has 17 miles of hiking trails that allow you to explore the dynamic terrain.
Some of the most popular trails include the 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop (which passes by Trahlyta Falls) and the 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail, which is best reserved for more experienced hikers.
There’s also the historic Trahlyta Lake Trail, which follows along the shoreline and crosses an earthen dam that was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935.
For even more history, visit the park’s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum to learn about the “CCC” boys and the incredible work they did in Georgia after the Great Depression.
READ MORE: The 40 Best North Georgia Cabins to Rent
4. DeSoto Falls Campground
18365 US-129, Cleveland GA • 706-745-6928 • Official Website
The Desoto Falls Scenic Area is a 650-acre stretch of the Chattahoochee National Forest that includes a variety of outdoor attractions for campers at the DeSoto Falls Campground to enjoy.
From the campground, it’s just a quick 1/4-mile hike to the lower section of one of the most popular North Georgia waterfalls, DeSoto Falls, and just under a mile to the upper falls.
Aside from the waterfall hikes, trout fishing in Frogtown Creek is another popular activity.
There are 23 campsites arranged in two loops– an upper and lower loop– each of which has sites along Frogtown Creek that include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts.
The lower loop has warm showers and flush toilets, while the upper loop has a centrally located vault toilet.
Water hydrants are also centrally located throughout the campground, and a dumpster is located near campsite #3 for bagged trash.
Weather in the area is generally mild, meaning that these campsites can be enjoyed all year-round.
The best times to visit is when the vivid fall colors are on full display, or in spring, when colorful North GA wildflowers decorate the area.
READ MORE: 15 Fun Activities Where You Can Experience Fall in Georgia
5. Unicoi State Park Campground
1788 Highway 356, Helen GA • 1-800-573-9659 • Official Website
Located in the Appalachian foothills just north of Helen GA, Unicoi State Park is close to an array of attractions yet offers a secluded natural setting that makes for some of the best camping in North Georgia.
Whether you want to explore the quirky shops and German restaurants of “Georgia’s Alpine village,” river tubing down the Chattahoochee River, or tackle one of the park’s great hiking trails, there are adventures all around.
The top hiking trails in Unicoi State Park include the Unicoi Lake loop trail and the Smith Creek Trail, which extends from the park’s campground to the Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area.
There are also special mountain biking trails that guide you through woodland paths, dense forests, and open fields that are specifically made for cycling.
Unicoi State Park offers nearly 100 campsites with a variety of amenities to choose from, including ADA-accessible sites.
RV campers can book full hookup sites that include water, power, sewer, a fire ring, grill, and picnic table.
Tent campers can enjoy more primitive campsites that include a fire ring, picnic table, and grate to put over the fire ring for grilling.
The utterly unique Unicoi State Park Barrel Cabin rentals are also available, as are Squirrel’s Nest camping platforms, where you can bring your hammock or sleeping bag and enjoy a night out under the stars!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Waterfalls Near Helen GA
6. Lake Conasauga Campground
Conasauga Lake Rd, Chatsworth GA • 706-695-6737 • Official Website
Situated near the summit of Grassy Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Lake Conasauga Campground offers a remote and rustic camping experience perfect for anyone who loves lakes.
There are a total of 31 campsites located on two loops, all of which include standard amenities like picnic tables, lantern posts, and a grill.
There are also two restrooms with sinks and flush toilets, and drinking water is available at hydrants that are located throughout the campground.
All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis: Reservations are not accepted.
But there is an overflow campground that offers six additional sites equipped with a tent pad, picnic table, and grill.
The Lake Conasauga Campground is often used as a place to rest up for the night before embarking on adventures in the vast Cohutta Wilderness, but there is plenty to do around the campground.
The highest of Georgia’s lakes, Lake Conasauga sits at 3,150 feet above sea level and provides boating and swimming opportunities.
Fishing is another popular activity, with bluegill, bass, and trout kept well-stocked.
There are also plenty of hiking trails here, including the 1.7-mile Lake Conasauga Songbird Trail and the 5.3-mile Grassy Mountain Tower Trail, which leads to a historic fire tower on the mountain’s summit.
READ MORE: The 10 Hiking Essentials Packing List for the Blue Ridge Mountains
7. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn GA • 1-800-864-7275 • Official Website
Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of the largest and most scenic state parks in Georgia, as well as being one of the best places to go camping in northern Georgia.
The park offers 3,538 acres of dynamic terrain for visitors to explore, including lush woodlands, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, and 1,000-foot-deep canyons.
There are 72 campsites that can suit tent, trailer, and RV campers. All of them have electricity and water hookups as well as a picnic table, grill, and fire ring, and some also have sewer hookups.
There are an additional 30 walk-in campsites that have a picnic table, grill, fire ring, access to water, and restroom and shower facilities.
Cloudland Canyon also has 13 backcountry campsites, 4 pioneer campsites (which are perfect for larger groups), 16 cabins, and 10 yurts if you’re looking for a unique place to stay.
There are plenty of adventures to be found in the park, including exploring the hiking trails, biking trails, and horseback riding trails that showcase the spectacular scenery.
The 2-mile Waterfalls Trail (which leads to Cherokee and Hemlock Falls) is one of the most popular trails, as are the 1-mile Overlook Trail and 6-mile Sitton’s Gulch Trail, which is a favorite among wildflower lovers.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Summerville GA
8. Moccasin Creek Campground
3655 Highway 197, Clarkesville GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
Located next to Moccasin Creek and the 2,775-acre Lake Burton, the Moccasin Creek Campground is a great option if you’re looking to go camping in North Georgia and want easy access to water-based activities.
There are 53 tent, trailer, and RV campsites to choose from on a large loop, all of which include electricity and water hookups, a picnic table, grill, and a fire ring.
Campsites #1-7 are closest to Moccasin Creek, while campsites #14-21 have the clearest views of Lake Burton.
The campground also offers amenities such as a dump station as well as two comfort stations with showers, washer/dryer access, a beach volleyball court, playground, and picnic shelters.
If you’re looking to get out on the lake (which has 62 miles of shoreline), there’s a boat launch ramp, ADA-accessible fishing piers, and canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards available for rent.
If you’re into hiking, the 1.9-mile Hemlock Falls Trail takes you through a beautiful stretch of the Chattahoochee National Forest and provides overviews of Moccasin Creek before guiding you to the picturesque waterfalls.
There is also a 1-mile Wildlife Loop Trail that’s perfect for an afternoon stroll.
It meanders through the woods before reaching a Wildlife Observation Tower, where you might spot birds, deer, snakes or the occasional black bear!
READ MORE: Things to Do in Moccasin Creek State Park on Lake Burton
9. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground
338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls GA • 706-754-7981 • Official Website
Tallulah Gorge State Park offers a variety of campsites for nature enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in the dynamic landscapes of the North Georgia mountains.
There are 50 campsites for tent, trailer, and RV campers, all of which offer electric and water hookups, a picnic table, grill, and fire ring.
There are also three backcountry Adirondack Shelters, and one pioneer campground that can fit up to 25 people and has a grill, fire ring, and picnic table.
The northeast Georgia state park has plenty of activities to keep you busy, between kayaking/canoeing in the Tallulah River, hiking 20+ miles of trails, picnicking, swimming, and biking.
But the main draw of visiting this state park is the 2-mile-long, nearly 1,000-foot deep Tallulah Gorge, which was carved over centuries by its namesake river.
You can hike the rim trails to catch the view from scenic overlooks, or get a permit to hike the gorge floor.
Just be sure to get your permit early, as only 100 are available per day and they tend to get snatched up quickly!
There’s also a suspension bridge 80 feet above the bottom that provides spectacular views of the gorge, as well as the waterfalls that run through it.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Hiking Trails in North Georgia Bucket List
10. Deep Hole Campground
27088 Morganton Hwy, Suches GA • 706-745-6928 • Official Website
While the Deep Hole Campground is smaller than others on this list, it packs in plenty of scenery thanks to its pristine location along the banks of the Toccoa River just north of Suches, GA.
There are nine campsites that each include a grill, picnic table, and lantern post. There is no water, electricity, or dump station provided, but there is one double vault toilet in the campground.
Most people are drawn to the campground for the awesome fishing opportunities afforded by the Toccoa River, which the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery keeps well stocked with trout.
Coopers Creek and Rock Creek, which are located within a 10-minute drive from the campground, also offer excellent areas for trout fishing.
Canoeing and kayaking the Toccoa is another popular activity here. The Toccoa River Canoe Trail starts at the Deep Hole Recreation Area, and flows 13.8 miles to the Sandy Bottoms Recreation Area.
The campsite is also popular among nature photographers, as the foliage during fall in the mountains of North Georgia is particularly striking.
It’s a great camping spot for anyone seeking a peaceful place to relish the serenity that only nature can provide.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge, GA
11. Don Carter State Park
5000 North Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
Don Carter State Park is not only the newest state park in Georgia, but it’s also the first state park on Lake Lanier.
At 57.92 square miles and 38,000 acres, Lake Lanier is one of the largest lakes in the state, so you can be sure there are plenty of water-based activities to enjoy there.
You can go boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply relax and enjoy the spectacular views while laying out at the park’s beach.
There are also 14.5 miles of hiking trails to explore, either on foot or on horseback.
In terms of camping, the park has 44 tent, trailer, and RV campsites. Each has a picnic table, grill, and fire ring, as well as water and electricity hookups.
There are also 14 primitive tent campsites and 8 two-bedroom cabins available to rent.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Breweries in Georgia
12. Fort Mountain State Park
181 Fort Mountain Park Road, Chatsworth GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
Fort Mountain State Park is a North Georgia State Park near Ellijay GA. It offers incredible natural beauty and historic sites, and it’s an awesome place to go camping in North Georgia.
There are 70 tent, trailer, and RV campsites that have water and electricity hookups, as well as standard amenities such as a picnic table, grill, and fire ring.
You can also stay in one of the 4 walk-in campsites, 6 platform campsites, 3 pioneer campsites, or 4 backcountry campsites.
If a rental cabin is more your style, there are 15 fully furnished cottages available as well. They come with AC and heating as well as a stove/oven, microwave, coffee maker, dishwasher, dishes, and pots and pans.
Some must-see spots in the park include a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, and an 855-foot-long stone rock wall.
According to Appalachian Folklore, the latter was believed to have been built as a defense fortification by a mysterious race known as “the Moon-Eyed people.”
The park’s other popular activities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayak/canoeing, and miniature golf.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Ellijay GA & Gilmer County
13. Red Top Mountain State Park Campground
50 Lodge Road SE, Acworth GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
Red Top Mountain State Park makes for awesome day trips from Atlanta since it’s located on Lake Allatoona, the closest major lake to the city.
It also offers some great camping opportunities. There are a total of 93 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs, the majority of which have electricity and water hookups.
There’s a pioneer campsite for tent camping available that has a water spigot, three picnic tables, a fire ring, and direct lake access.
You can also stay in one of 20 two- or three-bedroom cottages, all of which feature kitchens, full baths, and awesome lake views.
The Red Top Mountain State Park yurts are a unique lodging option that sleeps 6 guests and includes electricity and heating. But if temperatures fall below 32ºF, sleeping bags are recommended.
There are a number of ways to fill your days at the park, from enjoying all the water activities the lake provides to exploring the numerous hiking trails.
Trails range in difficulty from the easy Lakeside Trail, which is under a mile, to the Homestead Trail, which is 5.5 miles.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Places to Live in the Georgia Mountains
14. James H. Floyd State Park
2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road, Summerville GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
Tucked in between the Chattahoochee National Forest and the rural countryside of Summerville GA, James H. Floyd State Park has no shortage of breathtaking scenery.
There are two stocked lakes for fishing, boating, and kayaking/canoeing, plus 5 miles of hiking trails in the park.
The trails guide you to unique spots including the entrance of an abandoned mine (Marble Mine Trail), and along the lake’s boardwalk into the wooded hillsides (Upper and Lower Lake Loop Trails).
In terms of camping, there are 24 pull-through or back-in campsites that have electricity and water hookups. Each one is suitable for RVs, tents, and trailers, and comes equipped with a grill, picnic table, and fire ring.
There’s also a pioneer campground that’s perfect for groups, plus 4 backcountry campsites and 4 two-bedroom cabins (one of which is ADA-accessible).
If you get a chance, make time to visit folk artist Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, which is just a few miles away and is easily among the most unique North Georgia attractions.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Summerville GA
15. Tugaloo State Park
1763 Tugaloo State Park Road, Lavonia GA • 800-864-7275 • Official Website
With over 100 campsites available on the shores of gorgeous Lake Hartwell, there are plenty of great places to camp at Tugaloo State Park.
Each campsite offers electricity and water hookups, a grill, a fire ring, and a picnic table.
There are also 11 walk-in campsites that are tent-only, but provide the same campsite amenities. They’re also within walking distance of a comfort station that has shower facilities.
Other lodging options at Tugaloo include a pioneer campground as well as 20 two-bedroom cabins and 6 yurts.
After picking your place to stay for the night, visitors at Tugaloo State Park can enjoy fishing, boating, kayak/canoeing, waterskiing, and swimming on the sandy beach of Lake Hartwell.
The 55,590-acre lake even has a six-lane mega ramp for boaters in the state park, which provides easy access.
There is also a tennis court, volleyball court, and four miles of hiking trails to explore. –by Christina Maggitas, lead photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett
