If anybody is an expert at camping in Georgia, my family is. This is our home state, and we have camped all over it. Our favorite place to camp is the North Georgia Mountains. In this post, we will share what we believe to be the best mountain camping in Georgia and why you need to visit.
One place to find some good Georgia camping is the State Parks. There are so many campsites, hiking trails, bike trails, scenic overlooks, and forests to explore.
Before you go, make sure you are prepared and be sure you are a responsible camper. Making sure to leave things just as beautiful as you found them will help ensure that people get to enjoy nature for many more years to come.
If you need help getting started with tent camping, see this post. We also have a guide to popup camping that you can read here.
Black Rock Mountain State Park
This is probably my family’s favorite North Georgia campground. We stay here at least twice a year. It’s the highest state park in Georgia, which makes this park a tight squeeze if you have a larger camper. We have seen big campers make it in, but we wouldn’t recommend it if you aren’t confident with your towing abilities.
We head up in our popup camper. There are 44 tent or trailer sites, 12 walk-in tent sites, 10 cottages, and 4 backcountry tent sites. It has a 17-acre lake, 11 miles of trails, and is very close to several great hiking trails to check out.
If you want to make reservations, click here.
Vogel State Park
This is my family’s second favorite North Georgia mountain campground. Located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest, they have 90 tent or RV sites, 18 walk-in tent sites, and 18 cottages to pick from. This park is close to the Appalachian Trail and is just a short drive (2.8 miles by car) to the Mountain Crossings Store on the AT.
They have a lake where you can swim, fish or play water sports. They also have several hiking trails on the property, so many are nearby to check out as well.
To make reservations to this park, click here.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Cloudland Canyon is definitely a bucket list destination. We just recently made a trip over there for 4 days and have reservations to go back in November of 2024! This park is absolutely beautiful.
The landscape is so different from the other side of the state. The vegetation, the views. Our visit made us want to consider moving there in the future.
They have so much to do, including hiking, disc golf, geocaching, biking, horseback riding trails, fishing, and so much more. This park has 72 tent or RV sites, 10 yurts, 30 walk-in tent sites, 13 backcountry tent sites, and 16 cottages.
While we were there, we hiked to both waterfalls (lots of steps) and hiked the west rim trail. Both hikes have some amazing views! We also visited Point Park on Lookout Mountain and Sunset Rock as it was only a 30-minute drive. Then we visited the Chickamauga battleground site, and on our next visit, we are taking our bikes back so we can ride around to see everything.
To make reservations, click here.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
This park is close to one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. It has so much scenery to take in along the way.
We camped here when we had our fifth wheel, and one of my favorite pictures of my oldest son was taken at this park. It’s only a short walk from the campground to the trail that goes to the bottom of the gorge.
If you stay, they have 50 tent or trailer sites, 1 pioneer campground, and 3 backcountry Adirondack shelters. If you want to make reservations, click here.
Lake Winfield Scott
Lake Winfield Scott is a great campground to visit when in the North Georgia Mountains. They have a cabin that sleeps 12, 31 campsites (some have electricity and some are tent only).
If you enjoy hiking, there are two trails that connect Lake Winfield Scott with the Appalachian Trail in Georgia: The 1-mile Jarrard Gap Trail and the 2.7-mile Slaughter Creek Trail. There is also a trail that goes around the lake.
You can also enjoy the 18 acre lake on the property. There is a swimming area and also places to fish!
To make reservations, click here.
Unicoi State Park
Unicoi is a destination spot amongst the state park campgrounds. They have so much to do when you visit here.
They have ziplines, archery, bike trails, a swimming lake, paddleboards, fly fishing classes, guided hikes, scavenger hunts, and kayaking.
You can stay in any of their many accommodations, including barrel cabins, glamping sites, and yurts, but the campground has over 100 sites to pick from.
To make reservations, click here.
Lake Rabun Campground
We tent camped at this campground twice before we bought our popup camper, but we haven’t made it back with the camper yet. This campground is a favorite of ours because its on Lake Rabun and its so close to two very pretty waterfalls that you can very easily hike to see.
They have 80 tent or trailer sites here which can be booked by clicking here. Of the 80 campsites, 21 of these campsites have electricity and a majority have water. There are bath houses and each campsite includes a grill, picnic table and lantern post.
DeSoto Falls Campground
Desoto Falls Campground is located near a very beautiful waterfall that can be easily hiked to. They have 24 tent or trailer sites. There are no water or electric hook-ups or dump station available in the campground. Several campsites are located along Frogtown Creek. They have drinking water faucets that can be used, a warm outdoor shower complex, and four chemical flush facilities. Each campsite has a grill, picnic table, and a lantern post.
To make reservations, click here.
Amicalola Falls State Park
This park is a must-see. It is home to a beautiful waterfall and has so much to do here. The campground has 24 tent or trailer sites. You can also rent a cabin or stay in a glamping tent. Some of the activities include a zipline, hatchet throwing, archery, waterfall, and hiking.
If you want to start your Appalachian Trail journey here, it’s possible. The 8-mile stretch starts at the falls and takes you to Springer Mountain.
To make reservations, click here.
Andrews Cove Campground
Andrews Cove Campground is only 15 minutes from Helen. It offers 10 campsites (reservations are not accepted). It’s open from March 15 through October 31. This campground is for tent camping and is located next to a trout stream. You will have a toilet to use, a hand pump for water, and picnic tables.
We hope you enjoyed reading about what we think is the best mountain camping in Georgia. If you want a good breakfast recipe to try on your next camping adventure, try some Hobo Eggs!! We love it!