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Sawmill Lake Campsite

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Within Georgia's Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Sawmill Lake Campsite provides free primitive camping managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This dispersed camping area requires a Georgia WMA land pass, which costs around $60 annually according to recent visitors. The campground sits just five minutes from the Rocktown trailhead, making it a practical base for rock climbers and cavers exploring the area's sandstone formations and cave systems.

Access involves navigating a rough, washed-out gravel road that challenges low-clearance vehicles. Mitchell M. recommends approaching from the west to avoid "180 degree sharp turns up the mountain" on the eastern route. Campers can set up anywhere on open ground, with several established fire rings and picnic tables scattered throughout the area. The layout offers little privacy between sites, as campers can see neighboring setups across the open fields.

The campground accommodates both tent camping and RVs, though trees fall easily during windy conditions according to long-term visitors. Hammock camping works well with abundant trees surrounding the open camping areas. Water must be packed in, as no hookups exist on-site. Cell service provides minimal coverage for emergency communication. For additional camping options, visitors can explore campgrounds around Rising Fawn or nearby Mountain Cove Resort. This spot works best for climbers prioritizing trail access over amenities.

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Map & DirectionsSawmill Lake Campsite is located in Georgia near Rising Fawn

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

34.66901462 N
85.39041782 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 5/30/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 12/11/25

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 5/30/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    Possible Coverage
    Verified by 13 users
    Last on 12/11/25

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Sawmill Lake Campsite

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 3, 2024

Easy boondocking

Stayed 13 days. I came from the west and had no problems getting my 23ft camper up the mountain. There were a few people that stayed in a tent for a night or two here and there, but I didn’t see any other RV/Campers so every spot was open. Trees fall easily so if it’s windy be careful where you park. You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60.

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Sierra Y., March 3, 2024
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Sierra Y., March 3, 2024
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Sierra Y., March 3, 2024
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2022

Good Site without much Seclusion

Nice spot, well defined with burn pits and picnic tables. Not too much seclusion with the way the sites are setup as you can see all of you neighbors, but still worth coming to.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Dec. 29, 2021

Very nice and open

Was a very nice and open area to camp at. Came in at night so was hard to see spots. Despite it being November there were a good amount of people. If you come in summer when it’s busy, I would recommend going to the first open field when you enter which is to the right. I decided to go all the way back down the gravel road to the back and every spot was taken so I wasted about 30 minutes. I had just a little bit of service, and there were no amenities that I could find. If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult. Views were very nice going up that way though. Would stay here again if I needed to

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Mitchell M., December 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Mitchell M., December 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Mitchell M., December 29, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Can't wait to go back!

This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking. The permit was 15 dollars to access Rock Town and the Caves... I'd like to come and try my hand at spelunking some time soon. There is also a good view of Summerville from the mountain top. You can also make a 20 minute drive to Howard Fensters Paradise Gardens.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed May. 8, 2021

Sawmill Campground - Pigeon Mountain

Great FREE site near plenty of hiking trails, world class rock climbing, etc.

I discovered more secluded camp sites more suitable for the seclusion I seek when camping.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Sawmill Lake Campsite by Brandon M., May 8, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2019

Primitive camping perfect for Rocktown climbers

If you’re looking for amazing scenery, this is not the place. It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers. Meant we could spend most of the climbing, rather than making a long approach. My group went for several days over thanksgiving 2018, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nights turned a bit chilly, so make sure to pack layers if camping in the fall or winter season. I think you’re technically supposed to have a Georgia outdoors permit to stay here (which we did), but we did not encounter a single ranger during our six-day stay. Check the Rocktown forum on Mountain Project for up-to-date info on permit requirements.

The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times.

You can pretty much set up camp anywhere there’s open ground. Plenty of trees around for hammock camping as well. My group of 10 people had no problem finding open areas to set up camp together. There are several man-made fire pits, and plenty of wood and brush lying around to scavenge for fire-making. There are no water hookups, so make sure to pack plenty of water with you. There is also an area at the campground for equestrian camping, though we didn’t check that out, as, alas, none of us had horses.

Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities can visitors enjoy at Sawmill Lake?

Sawmill Lake Campsite serves as an excellent base for numerous outdoor activities. World-class rock climbing at Rocktown is the main attraction, just a 5-minute drive away. Spelunking opportunities are available at nearby Petty John Cave. The area features plenty of hiking trails throughout Pigeon Mountain. A permit (approximately $15) provides access to both Rocktown and the caves, making this an ideal location for adventure enthusiasts.

How do Sawmill Lake Campground reviews compare to other camping options near Pigeon Mountain?

Sawmill Lake Campground stands out among Pigeon Mountain camping options primarily for its free access and strategic location near premier outdoor attractions. While it may not offer the scenic views or seclusion of other nearby options, its proximity to Rocktown climbing area and Petty John Cave makes it exceptionally convenient for outdoor enthusiasts. The campground provides a practical, no-frills base camp with defined sites and basic amenities. For those prioritizing adventure access over camping luxury or privacy, Sawmill Lake represents an excellent value compared to alternatives in the area.

Where is Sawmill Lake Campground located?

Sawmill Lake Campsite is located near Pigeon Mountain in Georgia, just a short distance from popular outdoor attractions. It's situated approximately 5 minutes by car from the Rocktown trailhead and only a 2-minute walk from Petty John Cave. The campground is accessible by mountain roads, with visitors reporting successful arrivals from the western approach even with larger vehicles like 23-foot campers.

What amenities are available at Sawmill Lake Campground?

Sawmill Lake Campsite is a primitive, free camping area with basic amenities. The campground features designated sites with fire pits and picnic tables. The layout is fairly open with limited privacy between sites, as neighbors are visible. There are no hookups available, though the area can accommodate various camping setups including tents and campers up to 23 feet. Visitors should come prepared for primitive camping with no running water or electrical connections.

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