Best Campgrounds near Athens, GA

Camping near Athens, Georgia encompasses several state parks and recreational areas within a 30-mile radius of the city. Fort Yargo State Park in Winder stands out with its mix of tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts around a 260-acre lake. Watson Mill Bridge State Park, located east of Athens near Comer, features the longest covered bridge in Georgia and offers camping from March through November. Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge provides year-round camping with modern facilities. The Oconee River Campground in Watkinsville offers a more primitive experience with basic amenities and no reservations required. According to one camper, "Fort Yargo is great for the Georgia Bulldog crowd as it's less than 30 minutes from Athens with easy access to restaurants and stores if needed."

Most campgrounds in the Athens area are accessible via paved roads, making them suitable for all vehicle types. Reservations are recommended for state parks, particularly during football season when University of Georgia home games create high demand. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while winters are generally mild. Cell service varies by location, with Hard Labor Creek noted for spotty coverage. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, typically late summer and early fall. Most state parks charge entrance fees in addition to camping fees, while the Oconee River Campground offers free camping with no reservations.

Water-based recreation dominates the camping experience around Athens. Lake-adjacent sites at Fort Yargo and Hard Labor Creek provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Many campgrounds feature boat ramps, fishing docks, and swimming beaches. Hiking and biking trails are common amenities, with Fort Yargo offering over 12 miles of trails. Family-friendly facilities include playgrounds, picnic areas, and nature programs. RV campers will find full hookup sites at most state parks, while tent campers can choose between developed sites with amenities or more rustic options. The proximity to Athens means campers have access to urban conveniences while enjoying natural surroundings.

Best Camping Sites Near Athens, Georgia (115)

    1. Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Winder, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 867-3489

    $27 - $275 / night

    "Fort Yargo is in the Winder Ga area and is close to Helen, Jefferson, Athens and Atlanta. Entering the campground is a nice paved road and leads to tent camping, cabins, yurts and RV sites."

    "This is one of the few state parks in Georgia with yurts and also has a great flat biking trail. The lake allows for kayaking and boating and some yurts are actually right on the lake."

    2. Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    Rutledge, GA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 557-3001

    $20 - $650 / night

    "Hard Labor Creek State Park is one of the Georgia State Park system's best kept secrets! Located just minutes away from Rutledge, GA, HLC seems like a whole world away!"

    "Kids can ride bikes everywhere, play some putt-putt or on the playground, go fishing or take them to the lake beach (just a short drive away-5 minutes)."

    3. Pine Lake RV Campground

    4 Reviews
    Bishop, GA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 769-5486

    "Our site (12) was an easy pull through right by an exit.

    If you’re traveling with kids though-there’s not much to do other than bike through campground or fish in the pond."

    "Easy access to local tourist and historic stuff. 5 star!"

    4. Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Carlton, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 783-5349

    $17 - $85 / night

    "The sites are shaded, and flat with a gravel drive and tent pad. We hadn’t planned on staying here but were pleasantly surprised to find a few vacancies on the first Saturday in November."

    "The drive down is washed out a bit but a 2 wheel drive Tahoe handled it. Getting back up if it had been raining would probably not be guaranteed, so watch the weather carefully."

    5. Oconee River Campground

    4 Reviews
    Maxeys, GA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 485-7110

    6. Stone Mountain Park Campground

    91 Reviews
    Stone Mountain, GA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 498-5710

    $44 - $65 / night

    "Lived in Georgia my whole life and yet my first time to Stone Mountain was literally three years ago. Now we have an annual pass and go all the time."

    "One of the best camping areas in Georgia."

    7. Georgia RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Commerce, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 335-5535

    "This campground is located close to shopping stores and has their own laundry and shower house. It is a nice, clean and seems very well maintained."

    "The bathrooms are extremely nice and the dogs liked the walking area."

    8. Victoria Bryant State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Royston, GA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 245-6270

    $34 / night

    "I started looking to see if there was an RV park nearby and found Victoria Bryant State Park just 10 miles away.  We called and there were vacancies.  We GPS’d our way over, and I."

    "We stayed on one of the platform sites for the trip, but walking around we found that nearly all of the sites look great!"

    9. Don Carter State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Lula, GA
    37 miles
    +1 (678) 450-7726

    $25 - $225 / night

    "Situated at the far north end of Lake Lanier, this Georgia state park is awesome! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites!"

    "This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier.  It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area. "

    10. North Shore Landing

    14 Reviews
    Greensboro, GA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 453-4505

    $23 - $110 / night

    "Being next to railroad tracks it has a railroad motif you can actually stay in a renovated caboose."

    "Beautiful location with a train themed well organized and super helpful staff. Tiered topography lends to beautiful lake and sunset views Used showers and laundry and both were great"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 115 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Athens, GA

717 Reviews of 115 Athens Campgrounds


  • Aaron S.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    Lake Lanier

    Want a beautiful place to camp for cheap? Try Lake Lanier! Gorgeous campground, concrete pads, water and electric at site. We paid 30 a night! Nice and quiet too.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Springfield - Hartwell Lake

    Gorgeous view

    I believe every site is lake front. The view of the lake is amazing and perfect. Some sites have little beaches for access to the water. Others have rocks if you want to make your way down those. Mine had rocks covered with wire thats been cut or broken so wasn’t taking my chances there. This place is huge! There is no sewer at sites but water and electric up to 50amp

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Don Carter State Park Campground

    Great weekend

    Nice bath and shower facilities. Water pressure is low. There are two dump stations and dumpsters. The campground sits above Lake Lanier. Finding sites are a little confusing.

  • Carey H.
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Shady Grove Campground

    Water Front Views

    Great state / county campground. Majority of the sites offer direct water access with many sites offering water front views and beach areas.

  • Kevin Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Bald Ridge Creek

    First trip for the summer

    Check in staff very friendly Site 32 - Nice level site. Plenty of room for us. Back in is not straight so it takes alittle bit of maneuvering(that maybe why it was one of the last few sites available a week out). Very close to the lakeshore. Morning and afternoon shade, otherwise pretty direct sun overhead around noon.

    The restroom and shower facilities were clean. Plenty of hot water. Gave it 4 stars only because I thought the swim beach could have been more clear of stuff that washed up. Otherwise a great campground. Would definitely stay here again!

  • Nick E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Thousand Trails Carolina Landing

    Small Sites but Beautiful Campground

    Very tight between rigs if you’re in a 30’+ rig. Water pressure and hookups have worked great. Beautiful area. There was trash in our fire ring and the picnic table at our site should probably be put out of its misery. Perfect Starlink connection from our spot and pretty likely to get it pretty well from others.

  • Lynn V.
    May. 16, 2025

    Old Salem Park Campground

    Great campground

    Real nice campground. We will be back! Darlene and Bob, great hosts, campground well maintained right on Lake Oconee.


Guide to Athens

Camping spots near Athens, Georgia offer experiences beyond typical state park amenities with specialized accommodations and distinct natural features. The area sits in the Piedmont region with gentle rolling hills typically between 500-1000 feet above sea level. Summer humidity regularly reaches 80-90% from June through August, creating conditions where morning fog frequently shrouds waterfront campsites until mid-morning.

What to do

Creek swimming and wading: Watson Mill Bridge State Park features several spots for water activities beyond the lake swimming mentioned elsewhere. "We spent most of the day there, and the weather (late August) was perfect!" notes one visitor about the "rock slide" in the creek that proved more popular than the playground.

Nighttime kayaking: At North Shore Landing, campers can experience the lake after dark. "They offered a kayak by moonlight group tour that was fun," reports one visitor who enjoyed this unique guided experience.

Disc golf and mini-golf: Beyond hiking and water sports, Fort Yargo State Park offers diverse recreational options. "There is disc golf, nature programs, gift shop, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, and a 260-acre lake offers swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing," explains a camper detailing the range of land activities.

Wildlife photography: Don Carter State Park rewards patient observers with animal sightings. One visitor noted, "From 6 in the evening and beyond you will find deer grazing in late summer and early fall, also raccoons and other small animals can be spotted roaming in some of the open areas."

What campers like

Walk-in waterfront sites: Campers seeking privacy appreciate the walk-in sites at Fort Yargo. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground," explains one reviewer.

Tent camping shelters: Victoria Bryant State Park offers unique accommodations. "All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry) at Victoria Bryant," notes a frequent visitor. These shelters allow camping regardless of weather conditions.

Budget-friendly options: Less expensive camping can be found at smaller campgrounds. The Oconee River Campground offers affordable stays with basic amenities. "Current prices are only $5 a night and it looks like tent pads and some other improvements were made recently," reports a recent visitor.

Gray water disposal stations: Hard Labor Creek State Park offers convenient waste disposal. "Great campground with lots of activities... The only thing was no one told us our site had full hookups. We paid for a deluxe site but nothing indicated on the reservation it had sewer connections," notes a camper who discovered this convenience after arrival.

What you should know

Low bridges on approach routes: Watch for height restrictions when approaching some campgrounds. At Georgia RV Park, "Be careful and follow the Campground signs and not your GPS because you might come in a different way and have to navigate an overpass that, for some rigs, is too short!"

Site-specific reservations: Hard Labor Creek has transitioned to pre-selecting sites. "Not long ago, as many of the GA State Parks are doing, HLC swapped over to 'site-specific' reservations..meaning that you must choose a particular site when reserving. This is VERY useful if you're familiar with the campground and have a favorite site but it can be a shot in the dark if you're not familiar."

Seasonal insect issues: Some waterfront campgrounds experience seasonal hatches. At North Shore Landing, one camper reported, "This is a beautiful campground right on the water but they have a very serious ant infestation. When I say they are everywhere I mean OMG they are literally everywhere in swarms and now including all in our camper."

Pioneer site access concerns: At Watson Mill Bridge, pioneer sites require weather consideration. "If rain is in the forecast, probably would not want to stay... The site is down a path from a parking area. There is a water faucet about 1/4 way down the trail."

Tips for camping with families

Tent platform availability: At Victoria Bryant State Park, campers appreciate the unique tent accommodations. "There are only about 8 platforms, and one is ADA only, so they book up quick. They are all spaced pretty far apart, privacy isn't too hard to maintain (except maybe site 7&8)."

Natural play areas: Children often prefer natural features to playgrounds. Watson Mill Bridge provides unique recreational spots: "Wade in the river below the bridge but careful, the rocks are slick," advises one visitor who noted this popular activity.

Convenience vs. crowds: Stone Mountain Park Campground offers extensive amenities but experiences variable crowding. "The campground offers everything you would ever need. There are tons of things to do from Golf, hiking, zoo, laser show, food and you can hike the mountain or take a ride to the top," reports an enthusiastic visitor.

Weather considerations: Shade and heat affect comfort at some sites. Don Carter State Park faces challenges with "the ASPHALT is part of the reason for the review's title, coupled with the fact that this is a new park and tree coverage is a bit sparse for the time being. Once the canopy fills out, it will be shady."

Tips from RVers

Site levelness varies: RVers should prepare for uneven sites at some parks. At Hard Labor Creek, one camper noted, "Very hilly within the campground but wide roads. Deer walking through the site. Good water views and hiking."

Waste disposal options: Some campgrounds offer partial hookups with workarounds. At Victoria Bryant, "The sites do not offer full hookups but there are multiple gray water dump sites in the campground (we used a five gallon bucket for our outdoor sink). We walked across the road from our site and dumped our bucket!"

Connectivity considerations: Cell service can be critical for some campers. Victoria Bryant offers good coverage: "Verizon Wireless has full 4G LTE service in the campground...we brought our MiFi Jetpack and streamed Netflix with zero issues!"

Electrical capacity planning: When selecting campgrounds, check for appropriate power options. North Shore Landing notes they are "very limited on 50amp sites," which might affect larger RVs with multiple air conditioning units or high electrical demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Athens, Georgia?

For the best camping near Athens, Fort Yargo State Park Campground in nearby Winder is a top choice with clean facilities, historical areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, and extensive bike and hiking trails. It's conveniently located near Athens and offers tent camping, cabins, yurts, and RV sites. Another excellent option is Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground, which features 21 sites with electric and water hookups in a peaceful setting. For those looking for a quick overnight stay when passing through, Oconee River Campground provides easy highway access. Most campgrounds in the Athens area require reservations, especially during weekends and peak seasons.

Where can I find lakeside tent camping near Athens?

Old Salem Park Campground offers excellent lakeside tent camping on a peninsula at Lake Oconee, with 83 car sites and a strong focus on water activities. This Georgia Power-owned campground makes for a perfect water-oriented getaway. Another great option is Bolding Mill, which provides lakeside tent sites with varying distances to the water's edge. For those willing to drive a bit further, Tugaloo State Park Campground on the Georgia-South Carolina line offers spacious campsites with lake access, boat ramps, fishing opportunities, and rentals for canoes and other watercraft. Most lakeside sites are in high demand, so reservations are recommended, especially during summer months.

Are there cabin camping options near Athens, GA?

Yes, there are several cabin camping options near Athens. The Sandbar Kayaking and Zipline Cabins offers cabin accommodations about 30 minutes northeast of Athens for guests booking kayaking or zipline tours. Their rates are reasonable at $20 weekday/$25 weekend for kayaking. Stone Mountain Park Campground is another option with cabin rentals, located within driving distance of Athens. The park is famous for its fireworks and laser show but also offers excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. Additionally, some state parks in the region like Don Carter and Tugaloo offer cabin rentals with modern amenities, though availability is limited and advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak seasons.

What RV parks and camping options are available near Athens, Georgia?

The Athens area offers several RV-friendly camping options. Don Carter State Park Campground on Lake Lanier features exceptionally spacious RV sites, some located just 35 yards from the shore next to wooded areas. The park is known for its cleanliness and excellent facilities. Pine Lake RV Campground near Bishop provides water hookups and is big-rig friendly with drive-in access. For overnight parking needs, Walmart — Cornelia Supercenter offers a safe option in North Georgia with a nearby 24-hour gas station for bathroom access. Additional options include Georgia RV Park near Commerce and Victoria Bryant State Park Campground, both offering full hookups for RVs of various sizes.