Growing up in Atlanta in the 1970s and 80s, the mountain town of Helen GA seemed more like a sleepy Alpine village than the bustling tourism hotspot it has become today.
In those days, the biggest draw for visitors was the state parks near Helen GA, especially Unicoi State Park.
Home to Anna Ruby Falls, Smith Lake (a.k.a. Unicoi Lake), and several fantastic hiking trails, Unicoi was a haven for camping in Helen GA. And it remains our favorite campground in Helen today.
Although we prefer staying at one of the many Helen GA hotels or pet-friendly cabin rentals during the brutally hot dog days of summer, tent camping in Helen is lovely in spring and autumn.
Helen camping offers options for everything from lovely lakeside and riverside campsites to stunning views of Mount Yonah and close proximity to sacred Native American sites.
Read on for our in-depth guide to the best Helen GA campgrounds to visit, including an overview of the campgrounds’ best campsites, amenities, and fun things to do nearby.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Helen GA
Helen GA Campgrounds Guide
(Arranged Geographically & Alphabetically)
- Andrews Cove Campground
- Cherokee Campground
- Hearthstone Cabins and Camping
- Unicoi State Park
- Yonah Mountain Campground
- Vogel State Park
- Trackrock Campgrounds and Cabins
- Hiawassee KOA Holiday
- Jenny’s Creek Family Campground
- Leisure Acres Campground
READ MORE: Top 20 Things to Do in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia
Campgrounds in Helen GA
1. Andrews Cove Campground
15000 Hwy 75 North, Helen GA • (706) 754-6221 • Official Website
Located 6 miles from the heart of town, Andrews Cove is arguably one of the most underrated campgrounds in Helen, Georgia.
They have 10 campsites for tent camping, one of which is a double site for larger groups. If you’re seeking budget-friendly Helen GA camping options, it only costs $12 a night to stay here!
This Helen campground is located right along a creek with a lovely view, and each campsite features lantern posts, grills, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms.
River and stream fishing are popular activities here, with some of the common species of fish being rainbow trout and brown trout. All anglers must have a valid State of Georgia fishing license and a trout stamp.
There are several hiking trails nearby, including the 2-mile long Andrews Cove Trail.
Other great trails are just a short drive away, including the Anna Ruby Falls Trail, Dukes Creek Falls Trail, Horse Trough Falls and Raven Cliff Falls Trail.
READ MORE: 15 Helen GA Hiking Trails Worth Exploring
2. Cherokee Campground
45 Bethel Road, Sautee Nacoochee GA • (888) 878-2268 • Official Website
Located 5 miles from Downtown Helen, the Cherokee Campground is a 38-site campground in Sautee Nacoochee that can accommodate both tent campers and RV campers.
Each RV campsite has 30/50 AMP services with water, electric, and sewer hookups, as well as cable TV and Wifi access. Their tent sites also have electric and water hookups available.
There’s also a recreation hall on the property, with game tables, darts, a large screen TV, and ping pong table. Outdoor recreation activities include horseshoes, shuffleboard, and a playground area for the kids.
The Cherokee Campground is a great option for those looking to go camping in Helen GA, especially if you’re interested in visiting during the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Given its location, this campground offers guests a chance to be close to the ever-popular Fall Festival in Georgia, without having to endure all the crowds.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Things to Do in Sautee Nacoochee GA (Near Helen)
3. Hearthstone Cabins and Camping
62 Hearthstone Trail, Helen GA • 706-892-9222 • Official Website
Another popular campground in Helen GA, Hearthstone Cabins & Camping is just a mile from town and has a variety of campsites and amenities that visitors are sure to love.
There are myriad different tent sites to choose from, including multi-tent sites and even car/truck campsites. Each of these includes proximity to the fire pit, general store, heated shower house, and bathrooms.
Their 14 RV sites vary in size, so you can pick the best one for your vehicle. But do note that only a few of them have sewer hookups!
Wifi access, a fire pit, picnic table, general store, and bathroom access are all included in your stay as well.
For those interested in staying in one of their North Georgia cabin rentals, there are 3 options to chose from. Each is fully furnished and as charming as you’d hope a mountain cabin would be.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Rental Cabins in Helen GA
4. Unicoi State Park
1788 Highway 356, Helen GA • (800) 573-9659 • Official Website
Located just north of town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Unicoi State Park is one of our favorite places to go camping in Helen, Georgia.
Unicoi State Park offers nearly 100 campsites in Helen GA, including some ADA-accessible sites. For those camping in tents, each site has a fire ring and picnic table to make your stay more enjoyable.
If RV camping is what you’re looking for, you can book full hook-up sites that include water, power, sewer, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Unicoi State Park Barrel Cabins are also available for rent, as is the comfortably furnished Timberline Glamping option, which includes charming canvas tents, actual beds, and even a coffee maker.
This Helen, Georgia camping hotspot also offers numerous activities for visitors to enjoy, including kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, and several great waterfall hiking trails.
READ MORE: 25 Fun Things To Do in Georgia for Fall
5. Yonah Mountain Campground
3678 Helen Hwy., Cleveland GA • (706) 865-6546 • Official Website
Located near the base of the 3,166-foot-tall Mount Yonah, the Yonah Mountain Campground offers RV and tent camping at one of the best Helen campgrounds.
This campground offers 30 different tent sites with water and electric hookups for only $35 a night, not to mention close proximity to one of the most beloved North Georgia hiking trails!
If you’re not into tent camping, they also have 60+ RV sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups.
Each site can accommodate up to six people comfortably, and there are showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities available on the property.
There’s also a swimming pool, fire pit, playground, basketball court, and other exciting recreational activities at the Yonah campground.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Campgrounds in Georgia to Visit
Campgrounds Near Helen GA
6. Vogel State Park
405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville GA • (706) 745-2628 • Official Website
Vogel State Park is one of the oldest North Georgia State Parks, and its campgrounds aare some of the best if you’re looking for campgrounds near Helen.
Whether you’re looking to spend a night or two camping in the outdoors or stay at a rustic cabin in the woods, this campground in Blairsville GA will exceed all expectations.
There are 90 different campsites for RVs, tents, and trailers, all of which have water and electric hookups, fire rings, gravel pads, and picnic tables.
For those seeking a bit more creature comfort, there are also 34 cabin rentals with 1-2 bedrooms. They also have a pioneer campground that can accommodate up to 50 people.
Vogel State Park has plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy, including fishing, swimming, kayaking, Trahlyta Lake, Trahlyta Falls, and 17 miles of hiking trails.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Blairsville GA for Foodies
7. Trackrock Campgrounds & Cabins
141 Trackrock Camp Road, Blairsville GA • (706) 745-2420 • Official Website
Encompassing 250 acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture in the North Georgia Mountains, Trackrock Campgrounds is home to 95 shady sites that make for a great camping trip.
With 20+ tent sites that each come with picnic tables, electricity and water hookups, and fire rings, this Blairsville GA campground can make even a sleeping bag seem more comfortable.
There are over 70 different RV sites with 30- or 50-AMP services, a dump station, and storage locations available.
The property also features laundry facilities, clean bathrooms, and a family game room with satellite TV and a game table.
Additionally, Trackrock has a playground, a beach area on the lake, hiking trails, and even horseback riding stables to make this one of the best places for camping near Helen GA.
If you decide to leave the campground, be sure to check out Helton Creek Falls (10.7 miles away), Blood Mountain (12.9 miles away), or Lake Winfield Scott (16.7 miles away).
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Blairsville GA & Union County
8. Hiawassee KOA Holiday
751 Gander Gap Road, Hiawassee GA • 706-896-8896 • Official Website
Located just 22 miles from the North Georgia Mountain town, this KOA near Helen GA is a popular getaway for camping enthusiasts.
With accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins, the KOA Holiday Campground in Hiawassee is a great option for camping in North Georgia.
Each tent site has water/electric hookups and a central location in the pet-friendly campground, so visitors will be close to everything. There are 100+ RV sites, some of which are located right alongside the lake.
All campsites here have water and sewer hookups, as well as a fire pit! There’s a 6-person limit for each site.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, but prefer having a private bathroom and full kitchen, check out their fully furnished cabins.
They can accommodate 4-6 people, and some of them offer exceptional lake views.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Things to Do in Hiawassee GA & Young Harris GA
9. Jenny’s Creek Family Campground
4542 US 129 N, Cleveland GA • (706) 865-6955 • Official Website
The sheer array of options for Helen, Georgia campgrounds can be overwhelming.
But if you’re looking for close proximity to the town and a family-friendly atmosphere, Jenny’s Creek may be the perfect choice!
Located just 10 miles from Helen, this Cleveland GA campground has large, shaded sites, laundry facilities, an arcade, a fishing pond, playground, and free Wifi.
There’re also lots of fun things to do in this North Georgia campground, including a community campfire, s’mores/hot dog/ice cream socials, and a variety of different holiday events.
Jenny’s Creek Campground has 107 sites ranging from full RV hookups and furnished yurt rentals to primitive tent sites, giving guests numerous options for accommodations.
There’s also an on-site shop for camping or hiking essentials, and there are restroom facilities as well.
READ MORE: 15 Fun, Festive Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Helen GA
10. Leisure Acres Campground
3840 Westmoreland Road, Cleveland GA • (706) 865-6466 • Official Website
If you’re looking for Helen GA RV parks where you can enjoy a pool, fishing pond, and playgrounds for the kids, you’ll enjoy a stay at the Leisure Acres Campground in Cleveland GA.
Although there are no tent sites here, it has all the same attractions and activities that can be found at other good North Georgia campgrounds.
There are picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite, clean restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, and Wifi available throughout the campground.
There’s also a swimming pool with patio furniture, which is great after a long day of exploring wineries in the North Georgia Mountains, the Nacoochee Indian Mound, or historic Dahlonega GA..
Leisure Acres also features a 2-acre spring-fed fishing pond and dock, where guests can cast their lines and try to catch species include bass, catfish, and sunfish. -by Samantha Dickens & Bret Love; featured image of camping in Helen GA via Canva
