Crooked River State Park Campground, near St. Marys, Georgia, is a fantastic spot for those looking to unwind in nature while enjoying a range of amenities. The campground boasts spacious sites, many with full hookups, making it a breeze for RV travelers. Visitors rave about the clean facilities, including restrooms and showers, which are well-maintained and provide a comfortable experience.

This park is a haven for outdoor lovers, with plenty of walking and biking trails winding through the beautiful landscape. Campers have enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, often noting the abundance of wildlife, including birds and even the occasional alligator. As one visitor put it, “The sites are large, and the volunteers and staff were friendly,” which adds to the welcoming vibe of the campground.

For those looking to explore beyond the campground, Crooked River State Park is just a short trip from the charming town of St. Marys and offers easy access to the stunning Cumberland Island National Seashore. Whether you're fishing from the pier, enjoying a game of mini-golf, or simply soaking in the views of the river, this campground provides a perfect backdrop for a memorable getaway.

Located on the southern tip of Georgia, this park is the perfect spot for enjoying the Intracoastal Waterway and maritime forest. Campsites are surrounded by palmettos and Spanish moss-draped oaks, while cottages are set near the tidal river. A boat ramp is popular with anglers who often take to the water before sunrise. Just down the road is the ferry to famous Cumberland Island National Seashore known for secluded beaches and wild horses. The nature trail winds through forest and salt marsh, and hikers may see gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons and other birds. A nature center features fish, snakes, turtles and other animals native to coastal Georgia. Visitors may venture to the nearby ruins of a tabby mill, built around 1825 and later used as a starch factory during the Civil War.

For reservation inquiries please call 1-800-864-7275.  
For Park inquiries please contact the park at 912-882-5256.  
  
A ParkPass is required for all vehicles. Price for ParkPasses are not included with the reservation. Overnight guests pay only one ParkPass fee for the duration of their stay. The daily ParkPass is valid at all state parks visited the same day and is not valid at state historic sites.   
  
ParkPass fees are as follow:   
1-12 passenger vehicles $5 per day or $50 annual ParkPass;  
13-30 passenger vehicles $30 per day or $75 annual ParkPass;   
31 or more passenger vehicles $70 per day or $250 annual ParkPass;   
Georgia active duty military/veterans $3.75 per day or $37.50 annual ParkPass.   
  
For information on our park rules and reservation policies please visit our website http://gastateparks.org/thingstoknow. Rules and regulations are posted at site offices and must be observed by all guests and their visitors.

Crooked River State Park Campground

Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Cumberland Island National Seashore. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Cumberland Island National Seashore

The Best Camping Near Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Nice campground! Great boat ramp, pier, playground. Very close to historic St Marys

Crooked River

We went camping here as part of a group outing and while we had a great time, the campground is a bit too open for my liking.

Open style campground

I've stayed here twice and loved it both times!

The first time I stayed here I was with a college outdoor group for spring break. We stayed here our first and final nights (we paddled out to Cumberland Island for the nights in between) and this served as a great place to launch from and leave our vehicles. The campground is well maintained and very clean. It is quite large but the sites are well spaced out and are quite open. I know that another reviewer mentioned that they didn't like the vastness of the campground, however, I find the larger old pines and fields nice for a multitude of activities. Not to mention that the sites are more than adequately spaced so that our large group did not feel super tight, nor did we feel like we were on top of other guests.

The second time I stayed here was with my family and we also paddled out to Cumberland Island from here. Although, on the second visit we were able to explore more of what the park has to offer. We spent time walking a multitude of trails (full of wildlife, we startled a fawn) as well as visiting the small nature center.

The bathrooms are well cared for and the grounds are clean. Each site is also meticulously maintained and the staff in the visitor's center are beyond pleasant. This is a great spot to visit all on it's own, or as a starting/ending point for an island adventure.

Love this spot!

We stayed on the cabins, with the whole family. Mom's, aunt's and kids. 3 to 80 years old and all had fun.

Clean, nice and great views  .  

We stayed in a cabin on this camping trip it is kid friendly with lots of programs for the children. We walked nature trails saw a wildlife program played putt putt and kayaked. We put in at the parks boat ramp and fished it had its own cleaning station. We swam in the springs which were not overcrowded and we even got to see manatees. It was a great trip.

Great campground loads to do

My only complaint was the camp site were a little close together. Other than that, it’s a beautiful park, with hiking and kayaking/ canoeing opportunities! There was also putt putt golf course as well which made for a fun time! 

Beautiful Campground!

This campground is first come first serve, but we happened to get a nice site that backed up to the river and woods. There isn’t any shade at these sites so it gets pretty hot. There isn’t a lot of privacy either. There are full hookups now after a major renovation of campground and that’s always a plus. There are beautiful views of the sunset at the bait shop. There is a nice camp store and the staff is friendly. Unfortunately, they did not tell me how to sign up for the rewards program when I asked so I didn’t earn points for my stay there.

Full hookups are always a plus. 

Campground is very close to several beaches including the ferry to Cumberland Island. Great trails for hiking and biking. There are alligators and other wildlife. We had a great time! We stayed in early April and missed the insects.

Large and quite campground

I live close to Crooked River State Park and have visited it several times over the years. They provide bike rentals ($12) if you dont have some with you! There is putt-putt golf as well as several hiking/biking trails to explore!

Great relaxing place to visit

This is one of my favorite spots.
Super clean,  Quite,  friendly. 
Sites are large and easy to spot your Rv.


Wonderful

The campground is huge and has everything you need. Easy to get in and out of with a camper or a tent. The river is Swift and fun for boating. Fishing is great and the trails are nice and pretty

Unbelievable

Given the size of the RVs, this looks like a great family vacation destination. For us, the attraction was Cumberland Island which is a 45 minute ferry ride from St. Mary's GA (20 minutes from the campground).

**Some Info About the Sites**

- There are many pull through sites which have huge gravel pads.

- Back in sites have long parking pads.

- The grassy areas accompanying each site are spacious.

- We ended up in the middle (see map) on #3 because it's what was available. I recommend you stick to the outside of the loops. There are more opportunities for shade.

- You'll be closest to the water at sites 39, 41 or 42\. There are woods behind you if you stick with the area that includes sites 11-27.

**Amenities**

- Water and electricity at all sites

- There is a restroom behind our site (#3) that is set up as men's/women's restrooms with 2 showers in each. One of the showers is handicapped accessible, but there is a nicer (newer) restroom across from site 48 and next to ADA site 46\. There are 4 private restrooms (2 handicapped accessible) with toilet, sink and shower along with a laundry room with 2 washers and 2 dryers. The other restroom has a washer, dryer and utility sink between the men's and women's rooms.

- Dump station and trash dumpsters along with recycling bins

- Playground

- Golf cart paths

**Fun Things To Do**

- Visit Cumberland Island (see info below)

- Mini golf

- Bird watching - there's a bird blind for bird experts, novice watchers and photographers

- Boating and fishing on the Crooked River

- A few trails and an observation tower

- Nature center

**Cumberland Island National Seashore:** The only way to reach the island is via boat. A day trip via ferry from St. Marys is definitely worth the trip. You need to bring food for the day because there's no place to buy ANYTHING....really! You can get water in a few places, but we brought water to start the day.  Our 8 mile hike took us south on the island to the Dungeness Ruins and further south before we turned around and headed across the island to the beach on the ocean side. There were probably only a couple hundred people on the island, and we only saw a few people on the beach. We saw lots of wildlife (feral horses, snakes, deer, armadillo) on the trails and in open areas. We hiked through the Sea Camp campground which had beautiful sites. If you want to stay overnight on Cumberland Island, you'll have to bring your tent and all your food.

Fun park for families and great for large RVs

Very spacious sites, well maintained. Love the view, great sites, but as in most places, the noseeums were unbearable as we set up camp. Love the trails here, and you need to visit downtown St Mary’s and take the ferry to Cumberland Island to visit the Carnegie Estate ruins and wild horses. Second time here and will come again.

Perfect campground in a very friendly town

Large well maintained campground. All sites are large, well maintained and site specific. Many have full hook ups. New family style bath house and an older bathhouse, both were very clean. Nice walking trails, plenty of playgrounds and very nice boat ramp and mini golf. We stayed on site 39 with a full hook up, small view to the river out back. Very private and large site with direct access to trail along the water. Site 11 has very nice water views but does not have a full hookup. Close to historic St. Marys and ferry to Cumberland Island and about a 45 minute drive to Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island for a nice day trip.

Wooded Serenity

Half the sites are partial hook ups and the other full hook up. Tents are welcome and the facilities are great. Highly recommend!

Very nice campground with beautiful sunset

Crooked River State Park is located near the town of St. Mary’s, Georgia, and very close to interstate 95. The park is very well maintained and the staff was pleasant and informative. The campground is divided into two areas designated as # 1 and # 2, all accessed via one way roads throughout the campgrounds. Area # 1 is treed with tall Georgia pines but no ground vegetation for privacy, beautiful but very open. Camping area # 2 is very private with lots space and vegetation between sites. We stayed at site 58 in area # 2 which is equipped with full hook ups and a long back in site. Since we stayed there the park has included sewer to about half of the sites, all on Camping area #2. The bath houses were very clean and well maintained daily, the laundry facilities were the same. There are some good walking trails throughout the park and an active boat ramp with a small floating pier/dock on the River. 

There are numerous shopping areas and restaurants within a few miles of the park. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is also nearby and accessible on by boat but worth the effort to go. The Cumberland Queen docks downtown St. Mary’s and has a schedule for departure and return for day trips, you will need to take everything you need as there are NO items for sale on the island. 

This area of SE Georgia is known for its population of sand gnats. They are very active in the mornings and evenings when the humidity and temperatures are high. The locals swear by Soft Sense lotion as a deterrent but you will have to decide for yourself. This is a very nice park from our experience, a hidden gem that is often overlooked. 

A Great Park

We went in January. It was record low temperatures. It was still fun. I explored the numerous trails. We paddled in the tidal river. The people in the bait shop were very helpful at helping us plan our route with the tide. There are lots of host campers, and they are "Johnny-on-the-spot" with their tasks. Not only is there adventures in the park, there is lots of nearby attractions. Don't miss going to Cumberland Island when you are there.

Lots to do

We traveled for July 4th holiday with our two children. We woke up to the most gorgeous views of the Crooked River. The rangers were excellent during the nature education. We truly enjoyed touching and learning about local wildlife. While exploring, we even found a new turtle nest! An easy drive to the beach topped off our fun holiday weekend!

So Beautiful!

Another Great State Park in Georgia, Plenty of Room and Gorgeous Trails and Scenery....

Awesome Clean Spacious

Amazing campground!  Very well groomed and sites are very large.  Lots of room for the kiddos to play.  Bring your bug spray...no see-ums will get you for sure. 

Love this campground!

We made reservations here for the end of January thinking the weather wouldn't be so cold since we were close to Florida...how bad could it be?  Well, record low temps told us how cold!  Good thing we had heat, but outdoor cooking/eating was a challenge.

  

Other than the weather we LOVED this park.  The campground hosts were AWESOME!  To the point where they even raked the fine gravel into Zen like patterns.  Everything was clean and very well maintained.

  

Located on the St. Mary River, this park has nice flat trails, good for biking too.  Also plenty of bird watching.

  

Luckily, the government shut down ended while we were here so the ferries to Cumberland Island started back up.  We spent a day there with a good friend as our guide and hiked over 7 miles.  It was magical and a day I will never forget.

  

St. Marys is a very cute town with nice shops and good restaurants.  We also enjoyed a day at Fernandina Beach walking on the beach, shopping and enjoying their micro brewery.

Centrally Located Park for Many Activites

We came to this park because 
we were looking (as usual) for a park with paddling, hiking and biking.  We were also curious about Cumberland island and wanted to get information on the ferry and if this park could be a good homebase to use.  (We knew the ferry to Cumberland Island was not too far away from this park). We were here in March.  We were not troubled by the no see-ums but we had a lot of overcast cooler days while we were here.
.
🎆The  highlights of this park were plentiful- Kayaking with dolphins , beautiful trails, nice views from campsites, adequate hiking, fun destination biking to St Marys, full bait and tackle shop, outdoor fitness center, mini golf.

🥾Hiking- (4 miles of trails) there are 5-6 trails not including golf cart trails and birding trails- .

🚴‍♀️🚵Biking- all the trails and golf cart trails were user friendly with our hybrid bikes. We biked to St. Mary’s to the Cumberland ferry departure site from the campground.  9 miles of the 10 mile trip was on protected sidewalk/multi use type sidewalk. St Mary’s has a bunch of super cute restaurants and souvenir stores and Museums.  (Check opening hours of museums before you visit) Nice place to spend a couple of hours.

🛶Water activities-paddling/fishing/swimming.  Kayak drop off is a short distance from campground - (too far to manually wheel our kayaks over each day) so we locked them up at the boat ramp area.  
📌You are dependent on tides when you are kayaking here - they are pretty strong!  The park will supply you with a tide schedule and which direction to Kayak.  Good fishing off the shore and floating dock area. 


🚍🏕Campground:  The gravel campsites were large and spacious.  There were full hookups available- even 100AMP  but we did not get one. (Choose premium for sewer too) Cell reception with our Verizon  hotspots was  good.  Washer/dryer cost $.75 .  There isn’t a playground at the campsite area but there is one on each side  just  a short walk away.
There is also a pioneer campground area for group camping.

🏡 there are also 11 cabins for rent with screen porches, basic amenities to include cable- there are more detailed descriptions are online at ReserveAmerica.

Happy Camping!  Pamela and Keith




Great Kayaking/near Cumberland Island Ferry

This campground is geared toward large RVs. Although I am sure you could pitch a tent, we did not see any while there. Each site is a FHU and therefore, the campground is pricier than other state parks ($40 plus a $5 park pass). The driveways are very long, and our small camper van looked lost among all the larger rigs! There are also 11 fully equipped cottages; four of them allow pets. Reasonably priced laundry facilities ($1.25 each for washer and dryer). We were in the section with the new bathhouse – four individual units, each with toilet, sink, and shower. 

  

Our first night, the noseeums were pretty pesky but the temperature dropped about 20 degrees the second night and voila - they were gone! I imagine they would be relentless in the summer months!

  

We chose this campground since it was just a 20-minute drive to the ferry to Cumberland Island. Although we did not avail ourselves of these options, fishing and private boats are other activities that can be enjoyed at this park. The day-use area has an outdoor “gym” and mini-golf. You could walk there from the campground, but it is about a mile away.

Nestled in among the big boys!

One of the best Georgia State Parks we have camped in. Very well maintained, clean restrooms, friendly and helpful staff, and the peace and quiet we were looking for. The sites are private, very large, and many provide full hookups. The park staff and volunteers were numerous, friendly, and very helpful. The biting sand gnats were at times unbearable and definitely put a damper on our trip. I would highly recommend this park as one to visit but make sure you are prepared with lots of bug repellent.

Beauty and Bugs!

This park is surprisingly very quiet even though it’s so close to the city of St Mary’s. It has a very relaxing vibe to it. The trails in the park are nice and all of them offer somewhat different views and vibes. I believe where we stayed, site 39, is the best site in the park. Fairly private and with a river view. We did have 2 complaints, one being that after we had set up our tent on the grassy area of our site, the staff came and said we had to move it to the very rocky pad meant for the RVs. Uncomfortable and inconvenient. The other complaint was that as we were following one of the guided kayaking trails by a map, 2 out of the 6 trail markers were completely missing. The existing markers were so small we had to use the binoculars to see them. I wouldn’t recommend the kayaking if you are not very experienced with doing it in tidal waters. We struggled a LOT and it was unnerving to feel lost without some of the markers. 

Beautiful coastal vibes, Very quiet and relaxing

Awesome place! It was clean and well maintained. Didn’t stay in a cottage but they looked very nice and right on the river. Great views, good trails, and an interesting nature center with friendly staff. If you are in the area I highly recommend this overlooked park! 

Beautiful Coastal Park

Arrived here for a two-night tent stay in the second week of September after crossing the GA State border from Hanna in Jacksonville. The ranger was very accommodating, even staying a bit past five to arrange check in (called him on the phone on the way in). The camp store is well stocked. The spots certainly cater to large RVs, which means that there is lots of room for tents. It's an open plan, which means that you can see the whole park, and the whole park can see you, but there's reasonable separation between the spots. The trees are tall and beautiful, creating a partial shade. The restroom facilities are being renovated at the center of the main park, but there is a newer building past spot #6 that also has indoor laundry. No access to the water directly from the camp site. Moved the picnic table of the sandy pad and placed the tent there. It was cleaner than placing it on the gravel spot where the RVs go. It was a good park.

Open plan, yet cozy.

We spent a weekend here at crooked River State Park. The campground was clean, the bathrooms were clean. There were many amenities and lots of things to offer like fishing, hiking, putt putt as well as stores close by. The campground is open however sites are very far away from each other. There are plenty of pull through sites. The cabins looked cute and cozy although we did not stay in them. We will definitely be back with the kids.￼

Will Be Back

This is a lovely state park with lots to do, wish we could have stayed long to enjoy everything - hiking, boating fishing, etc. Our RV spot #58  (full hook up) was very spacious with plenty of room and foliage between sites so didn’t feel crammed in. We were here in February so didn’t experience any bugs and it was very quiet and just RV people for the most part. The grounds were clean and well maintained. The bath house near us was clean and modern and had four separate accessible private bathrooms with toilet, sink, and shower so it would be easy for families to take all the kids in at once. There was also a nice laundry area in this building. We would definitely go back if in the area again. 

Great spot

Spent 2 peaceful nights here at the end of February. Spacious sites, well maintained trails. Did not use showers but bathhouse was clean. We will be back. 

Beautiful, Quiet Campground

Very quiet park, well spaced sites. We really enjoyed this park. We took the ferry to Cumberland Island from St. Mary’s for the day and hiked. Highly recommend doing this trip. Also nice nature trials within park, not well maintained but we enjoyed them.


Beautiful

We stayed here the Memorial Day week.  Great campground with spacious sites and very quiet.   Some of the sites have more privacy with the palmettos in between, but the site we were were at did not.   Sites are level, park is clean, bathhouses are clean.   Three bars of cell service at the campground.  The park has some  trails for hiking, a nature center, picnic areas, and of course access to the water for fishing and kayaking.  We rode our bikes around the park every day.  We especially liked the short river trail in the mornings and evenings - great views.   This campground is within an hour's drive of Jekyll Island and St. Simon's Island, as well as Florida beaches, which we visited.  We also took the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore and spent a day hiking around the island - it was amazing.  See photos below.

Quiet & Spacious + Close to Other Places to Visit for Day Trips

Very clean, level sites! Nice Firepit! Friendly rangers. Didn’t rent a cottage but they looked nice! Had 30amp service and it worked flawlessly!

Great Stay!!

Very well kept park.  Lots of space between the spacious sites. Nice Showers, laundry.

Clean

Great sites great trails great views great fishing
Just a short drive into st Mary's for shopping
At dusk one can hear TAPS being played from the submarine base

Love it

We spent a pleasant long weekend here in this 2-br cottage with a peaceful view of the river. Full kitchen, screened-in porch, and a fire ring outside. We t in a short nature walk along the river, but this cottage made an especially great jumping off point to catch the ferry in St. Mary’s for a day trip (with bikes) to Cumberland Island. It poured the whole day, so we felt especially grateful for the dry cabin and ability to cook food upon return. Would definitely return and would bring the kayaks to use in the park next time. Be sure to also check out the tabby sugar works ruins just down the road from the park!

Great jumping off point for Cumberland Island

Great experience. Nice facilities. Good trails. Fun nature center for kids. Mini golf

Beautiful place lots to see and do

Beautiful park!    Very spacious.  30/50 amp.   Some sites have FHU.  Restrooms are very clean, heated, and decent water pressure.  Laundry as well.  
Pretty long dump station.  Lots of trails, and bike riding.   Has a nature center and store with basic necessities.  Some sites near water.  Very friendly staff and very well maintained park.   Definitely a winner, and we will be back!  Has a bait store.  Grocery stores within 6 miles.  Dollar General about 4 miles.   About 7 miles is the Navy Submarine Base!



Excellent

This was a nice, very well maintained campground. After taxes and fees and park entry fee, we ended up paying $50 for a full hook up back in site, which was a bit much. 

Nice clean showers, laundry, lots of hiking and activities.  Good cell service.

Nice Campground

Most striking feature was the wonderful natural separation between the sites on the "west" loop. Sites are large and very level.  Nice hiking trails and a bird watching site and nature center.  They have an abundance of volunteers who keep things clean as well as do occasional drive byes in case you have an issue or need help.

The campground is less than 15 minutes from charming St. Mary's, GA.  It has several wonderful restaurants and parks and is a short boat ride from Cumberland Island 
National Seashore.  Unfortunately no dogs are allowed on the park operated boats.

Make sure you have bug spray.

Cedar River State Park, St. Mary's GA

We stayed her in order to go to Cumberland Island but I loved this park!  The roads were paved throughout which is not typical in a state park. The sites were large and we had a full hookup with sewer connection. There was a fishing pier, boat ramp and bait shop. There was also a nice mini-golf course but we couldn’t play due to COVID. The bathhouse area was nice and clean and the laundry was in the same area. There was lots of wild life around. The campground is right on the river with beautiful views. I’m addition to the campsites there were also very nice cabins for rent. My children enjoyed playing in the playgrounds and walking the trails looking at wildlife. There was a nature center on site as well. 

Summer Vacation

Great park on the crooked river. Stayed on site 6. Most sites are large but open. A few good trails at park. Area has some activities to do. Good kayaking trail.

Crooked river 

This park is quiet and relaxing.  Tons of song birds to watch and listen to sing.  The sites are large.  We stayed in 57 and like the electrical board gave extra privacy.  The volunteers and staff were friendly.  Bugs were not too bad and they sell a natural repellant that really works.  Other campers were friendly, but not intrusive.  Dogs every where, but everyone picked up.  Bathrooms were cool and clean.  Enjoyed walking about the park;  saw tortoises, armadillos,  snapping turtle, and alligator.

Relaxing Park

Beautifully maintained park. Well care for by caring people. Staff and volunteers both were welcoming and informative. Camped 2 nights and used the faculties. Beautiful views and trails. 

Beautifully maintained 

My 1st trip here did NOT disappoint! Large sites &amp; lots of trees/shade. There are also big cottages in the back to rent. Very friendly staff &amp; the river is beautiful. Tons of walking &amp; golf cart trails. Paved roads &amp; doggy stations. The sites have lots of room &amp; a fire ring &amp; picnic table. There are two playgrounds for people with kids &amp; the birdwatching was incredible &amp; I’m not even into that. Nice little store for essentials. Definitely will return.  

Great state park, big sites

Crooked River is a beautiful park!   Big sites, huge pull thrus, some have FHU.  Lots of walking, and biking.  Sites are gravel and very level.  Clean restrooms, showers, and laundry.  Good size store.  Has putt putt, boat ramps, and trees.  Very quiet and friendly hosts.  Firewood is $9 bundle, but 10 pieces.  .75 cubic foot.  GREAT place.  Some sites have water view.  

Beauty 

This review is for CRSP Cottage 10, a 2 bedroom, 4 bed, 1 bath, pet friendly house down a quiet road within the park. The park staff at the gift shop were very kind and engaged. They collected our balance and $50.00 pet fee there. Not all cottages are pet friendly. Cottage 10 is...so plan ahead! Despite that, there was 0 smell when we entered the cottage. It was very clean! Exceptional view of Crooked River! Our family of four loved s’mores under the stars and twisted coastal trees. There is a jumbo picnic table and fire pit. Carrying meals out was no issue and so much less exhausting than cooking on the Coleman stove and dealing with gear and tents. That’s also a fun experience, but coming back to AC and a private bathroom after a full day of hiking Cumberland Island is worth the nightly price tag. One day it poured. We comfortably
watched the storm from the cozy screened-in porch. The kitchen is well stocked, minus a cutting board. No biggie. Made do. I always travel with a reliable and sharpened kitchen knife, kitchen scissors, and my trusty cast iron pan. But I was surprised to find
supplies at the cottage like paper towels, toilet paper, and dish washer pods. The beds are comfortable and the linens and
towels are clean and plentiful. It was a great experience and we would love to return.


Time slows down here

For SP's like this, there should really be a 6 star rating for this park to be properly ranked! I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything quite like Crooked River State Park located in SE Georgia – and the more I poked around as I explored the massive grounds of this gem and asked from the local rangers, the more and more impressed I became.  Whether driving an RV, toting a 5th Wheel or looking to pitch a tent, either in an established, traditional campground setting or in a primitive hike-in oasis, you won't have any issues finding the perfect spot to get lost in nature here at Crooked River SP.

  

While this SP lends itself moreso to the RV’ing crowd (the # of RV spots seriously outweighed the # of tent campsites), there are several very decent options for tent campers like myself, who either want to drive in or, for those who prefer to add a bit more struggle and discomfort to their nature experience, they also offer primitive or pioneer tent camping as well. Bordering the, um, well, crooked river, the campgrounds have a fantastic river view (as well as excellent water access points, for those hauling boats, flotillas and yachts behind their vehicle) – and check this out: there’s even a bait shop near the boat launch run by the SP, so no need to dig up your own bait before arriving here.

  

Surrounding you throughout the entire park are fantastic amounts of vegetation, trees accompanied by plenty of four-legged furry critters, high-flying foul as well as even a honey farm, where the rangers make and sell some of the most amazing honey on-premises. When is the last time you were able to buy honey from a park ranger at any state park?!

  

Oh, but it gets better – especially if you’re coming here in a big group: (1) You can rent the entire pioneer camp area (that’s 3 sites somewhat removed from the general population, that can easily accommodate up to 5 families; (2) There’s 5-6 group shelters (and by shelter, I don’t just mean an open-walled shelter with a few picnic tables) that look brand spanking new and come complete with a ton of amenities, including 4 walls, their own bathrooms and meeting rooms; and (3) Group activities, like visiting the Nature Center (yes, they have one of these too), the Bird Outlook Landing (for those folks that like to use their binoculars) and Miniature Golf. Wait, did he just say, Miniature Golf?!  In a State Park?!  Why yes, I did.  And the ranger I spoke of previously will rent you clubs and a golf ball at a price that is so incredibly cheap, you’ll be tempted to rent them throughout your entire stay.

  

For those families or groups who like the idea of going camping, but who actually don’t want to camp, but receive all of the benefits of camping and being in the middle of nature, but who want all of the uncomfortableness removed from the equation, then the SP rents either stand alone houses (I almost called them cabins, but they’re not - they’re actually houses) or duplexes. Both have access to a screened-in lanai (you know, to get away from those pesky bugs you might actually encounter out in the wild) as well as a brand new playground for the kiddos.

  

While we’re on the subject of "Wow, I can’t believe SP's actually have this!" line of descriptions, here I will add that the restroom facilities might be the most immaculate I have ever come aross (sorry, Van Damme in Cali, these guys here in Georgia have you beat, but just by a small bit, as they don’t charge you 5 quarters for a 5 minute shower – yes, the state actually gives you a free shower if you pay the price of admission).  

  

But the excitement and surprises don’t stop here.  No, things get even better!  This campground even offers a curated sunset cruise aboard one of their very own skiffs (comfortably accommodating families up to 6 people) and will let you actually bring a bit of booze on the cruise (6-pack or a bottle of wine – but I got a ‘wink wink’ when I asked about a flask of alcohol, so be discreet, homies), but be sure to tip your ranger captain, as these outdoor experts are truly in a league of their own.

  

From well paved roads, to immaculately kept grounds, this place has so much to offer just about anyone who is looking to do some 'outdoorsing,' but wants a premium, well-groomed experience. Here's the straight truth about this Crooked environ: I can’t wait to get back to this place soon. 

  

Happy Camping!

The Straight Truth About Crooked River SP

We stayed one night with a tent, and our main priorities were having a **reliable Starlink connection and 110V power at the site**. This campground delivered both— no issues with connectivity.

I specifically chose a site with a **clear view of the sky to the NNE**, and it worked perfectly. The tent sites are definitely oversized and offer zero privacy, but for our needs— a quick overnight stop with internet and power— it was a great fit.

Photos of Crooked River State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers