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Shoal Creek Campground

19 Reviews

Shoal Creek Campground, near Buford, Georgia, is a scenic spot that offers a mix of relaxation and outdoor fun right by Lake Lanier. With spacious sites that often come with beautiful lake views, it’s a great place to set up camp whether you’re in a tent or an RV.

The campground features amenities like electric hookups and drinking water, making it convenient for families and groups. Many visitors have praised the friendly staff, noting that they’re always willing to help with site changes or any questions you might have. One camper mentioned, “The camp office was very accommodating,” which speaks to the welcoming atmosphere here.

For those who enjoy water activities, the campground provides easy access to the lake, perfect for swimming, fishing, or just soaking up the sun. Reviewers have highlighted the lovely beach areas and the chance to see local wildlife, adding to the natural charm of the place. If you’re looking for a spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors, Shoal Creek Campground is definitely worth considering.

Description

Army Corps of Engineers

Sidney Lanier Recreation Area

This recreation area is part of Lake Sidney Lanier

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Location

Shoal Creek Campground is located in Georgia

Coordinates

34.16472287 N
84.0135382 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

21 min from Gainesville
43 min from Atlanta
56 min from Athens

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2024

Beautiful lake front AND lake view camping spots; friendly staff

This was our first RV camping experience -- testing out a new pop-up camper during a two (2) night stay. Reservations were made through Campspot -- about $120 with fees. Communication with the main number for the campground went through the Margaritaville Campground nearby. Separate direct lines to the camp office and security were provided after arrival. Overall communication was good with both, and the staff were always polite.

We skipped our first night reservation due to high winds. We had concerns about damaging the pop-up roof during first-time setup. We decided, instead, to visit the campsite we'd reserved and pick up our paperwork. Site 56 was our first choice, and we were NOT happy with it. I selected the wrong size on the Campspot website -- a 20' campsite. It was not big enough to park both the camper AND the tow vehicle, AND the camper would've been facing away from the lake anyway with water and electrical hookups.

The next morning, we called to arrange for a different site. The camp office was very accommodating and blocked off four (4) available sites to choose from. We moved to site 55, which was a large circular pull through. Probably too big for our pop-up camper, but also probably too close to trees for a larger trailer or even a 5th wheel. The campsite was large, with the picnic table, fire ring and sand pit away from the camper. There was lots of room to set up and enjoy the beautiful lake views.

Electric and water hookups worked just fine. The camp office lent a 50 amp to 30 amp adapter free of charge. We had no issues with either service. The showers and bathrooms were about 2-3 sites down and up the road from 55, and they were reasonably clean for what they were.

I WAS disappointed that the main gate was broken, and the key code locks on the showers and bathrooms were duct taped shut. However, I did not feel that the campground was all that insecure, and there did not appear to be a lot of traffic coming through. Security DID come through overnight on Sunday morning -- probably due to some noise at 1-2 of the campsites across the cove from ours. Things quieted down after. The camp host was cleaning bathrooms on Sunday morning, and he was very polite when we talked. I saw him regularly coming through to check on campsites and clean up.

Overall, we liked this campground and will be going back. I will likely request to scout out some different sites in person before selecting one, as I don't want to be in a position to have to give up my spot when it's very busy.

Site55

Month of VisitApril

David W.

Guide

Reviewed May. 13, 2023

Spacious sites on Lake Lanier

We’ve stayed a number of times. Some spots are huge and many have water access. The facilities aren’t much, but it’s a great place to be!

Month of VisitNovember

(8) View All

Casey L.

Legend

Reviewed May. 31, 2022

Friendly staff, beautiful views

Beautiful views at nearly every site! You can tell they are working on updating things and taking better care of the park this year. Sites have narrow parking areas but most have big outdoor living areas with fire pit and table. Then even off some long term parking. We loved that you could bring your boat and leave it docked at your site. Also great swimming areas!

Site5

Month of VisitMay

(9) View All

Casey L.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 3, 2022

Well loved campground

You can tell this place has been around a while! The views are beautiful and there is wildlife everywhere you look. Overall, place needs a little love. Wooden steps are rotten at sites, concrete is cracked and uneven. One of the bath houses is closed but all others are functional just have to drive to another loop to use theirs. Dump station, no sewer. Does sell propane on site. If you are a tent camper, they have some beautiful water front spots with small beach areas!!

Site75

Month of VisitFebruary

(10) View All

Cheryl H.

Guide

Reviewed Dec. 29, 2021

Monthly rate, close to our family

Sites are older- Corps of Engineer park purchased by Margaritaville- very few improvements made, but they are working on it. Have to be careful where you choose. Some sites are REALLY tight, and probably were never intended for campers/RV- lots of tent sites. Water pressure was low, bathhouses in need of lighting and upgrade. CAN’T say ENOUGH GOOD THINGS about Josh and Tess!!! They were the best hosts ever! Expecting great things next time we come- I know they will be better! Stay in the 70-80s or the 100s

Site101

Month of VisitDecember

(6) View All

Glenda H.

Scout

Reviewed Nov. 29, 2021

Family Reunion

We had a great time at Shoal Creek. It was a bit muddy but it was pretty and having the playground and extra places to park was a plus. We camped as well, it was a blast.

Siteright pass the entry

Month of VisitAugust

Ava C.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2021

beautiful campground

This was actually my first time ever camping out of a rv, easy hookup and nice space for rv/fire/table and then some. I had a campground with a lake front view and u couldn’t be more content. If you want a really good view I recommend camp site 07/08/09 I’m at 09.

Site09

Month of VisitSeptember

Shana C.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2021

Awesome lots off the water

We had a great time summer camping with our boat, RV, friends & kids! Would definitely recommend booking early snd getting one of the lots that slopes down to the water.

Site38 I think

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Erika R.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2021

Great spot but few issues

We were at spot #61 and the view and privacy was fantastic. We originally were in spot “v” but their electricity stopped working. no shade whatsoever at 61 and ANTS, ants everywhere. They managed to get in our vehicle and they swarmed our toddlers car seats. They managed to invade our camper also. Also the community restroom/showers were out of service :/

The beach area was lovely though and great fishing spots!

Campground is older and not AS maintained but views are worth it

Site61

Month of VisitAugust

T2VCan V.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 22, 2021

Beautiful and refreshing

See about 10-15 deer playing in the woods. It was amazing to witness. The nature photos are a small glimpse of the beauty to behold at this site. Camped in tent and also in a PUP a few times. Will definitely go back again.

SiteMultiple lakeside sites

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Bri B.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 20, 2021

Nice spot near the water

Easy to find, liked that we were right on the water. There was a nice flat area to set up food, bonfire, chairs, games and to lounge around with family and the dogs. Bathrooms were nice and close to campground, within walking distance.

Site66

Month of VisitApril

Tiffany B.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Poorly taken care of, not worth the cost

The campground is on a peninsula on lake lanier and offers nice views from some spots and access from other spots. There is low underbrush (read:less bugs) and a lot of wildlife to be seen (we saw lots of deer). However. The sites are VERY poorly maintained. Our campsite specifically had a crumbling pad to park on, which caused us to barely fit. There was trash both in the woods and on the beaches. We were not informed which side the hookups were on, so our front door opened to the water spigot and up a hill. I would not have booked this spot had I known, but I was given no info about the spot on the website. You can see where trees have fallen and all the do is cut them so they are not in the way of the roads. There are no clear paths, there was a bridge what was highly questionable to walk across. The worst part was that this site was twice the cost as most of the other campsites on lake lanier. With worse amenities. I was really disappointed and its highly unlikely that I will book here again. Which is a shame because the people there were nice and I would have loved to leave a better review for them.

(8) View All

Mike B.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 26, 2020

Inexpensive option on Lake Lanier

Visited March 2020. Stayed on Site 12. Probably one of the better tent sites with awesome lake views. Reserved online, which was easy. Site was in good condition despite a pretty good storm the night before. Flat with plenty of space for a 6-person tent. No power or water at this site.

As other previous reviewers had said, there are areas of the park that are run down and could use some TLC. The bath house was generally clean with plenty of soap. It does look as if the plumbing was recently changed out.

A bit confused about the after hours check in as the main gate was closed. We arrived after 5pm and just assumed we go to our campsite. We checked in the next morning without issue. However, couldn’t find anything online with instructions as to after hours arrival.

For the price, it was a great few days on the lake. Plenty of sunshine at site 12. I would not recommend a few of these sites if you have trouble walking around without assistance. There are some inclines without adequate steps or hand holds.

Adrian P.

Scout

Reviewed May. 6, 2019

nice place for families

This camp site is great for anyone dipping their toes into camping or for families. Each campsite is distinct but not isolated. Many are right on the water, which means all day play for everyone. There are hot water showers and toilets, and the sites have areas for camp fires. Nice place to bike or walk as well. We stumbled onto a few random hidden beaches, it was pretty cool and chill.

Month of VisitApril

Andrew G.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 12, 2018

The blue ridge side is not tent friendly

The Blue Ridge side of the Shoal Creek campground needs a lot of work. Its not worth the the time or money

Jessica S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2018

Great Views

We enjoyed Shoal Creek. There were some things like people playing music late at night that were annoying, but the sites were spacious and the views are nice. The sites Include a fire ring and a picnic table. it is a little hard to get in and out with a 40 ft fifth wheel.

Erin F.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 21, 2017

Dude neighbors

we had a very rude neighbor but overall it was great!

Jill R.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Beautiful area, trashed site

When I visited Shoal creek camp ground, I was greatly disappointed. There was trash every where, the bathrooms were disgusting. For the price, it seemed like no maintenance was occurring, I had to bring my own toilet paper to the bathrooms for two or three days, because no one came to check on the trash cans or the bathrooms. The showers were straight out of a horror film, I had opted to not shower for 4 days, instead of taking a shower in those filthy things. My camp site was decent, however i did here my neighbor complaining about the amount of erosion that had occurred in the RV area.

Jennifer S.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2016

Shoal Creek Campground

Shoal Creek Campground is about a 30-45 min drive from Atlanta. You camp right on Lake Lanier and most of the campsites have a mini beach area. Our particular campsite had a nice big area with beach and firepit down by the water. It is great for kids, dogs and families and friends. You can bring kayaks or canoes and paddle in the water. On our way in we went to fishtales and had lunch and drinks, then headed to the campsite to hang out for the night. Very relaxing, they had bathrooms not too far away. Book in advance especially if you know which site you want.