Best Campgrounds near Athens, GA

Several state parks with campgrounds circle Athens, Georgia, about 30-60 minutes from town. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground sits by a 1,000-foot deep canyon, with clean bathrooms, hot water, and tables at each site. Mistletoe State Park Campground puts campers right on Clarks Hill Lake, with water and electric connections that work well for both tents and RVs. The parks have walking paths ranging from easy lakeside strolls to more challenging gorge trails. Many campers bring fishing gear since both the lake and nearby rivers have good fishing spots. Watch for wildlife like deer and birds throughout the area, and keep food secured as black bears sometimes wander through. You can easily drive back into Athens for restaurants or supplies when needed. Weather makes a big difference in camping comfort here - spring and fall feel great, summers get sticky hot, and winter nights can drop below freezing. The campgrounds stay open year-round, so you can plan trips in any season that suits you.

Best Camping Sites Near Athens, Georgia (114)

    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

    $30 - $175 / 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. North Shore Landing

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

    $88 - $121 / 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"

    10. Don Carter State Park Campground

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

    $25 - $28 / 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. "

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Showing results 1-10 of 114 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Athens, GA

715 Reviews of 114 Athens Campgrounds



Guide to Athens

Camping near Athens, Georgia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Exploring: Many campgrounds, like Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, have stunning trails. One visitor mentioned, "Nice trails with beautiful scenery, the hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous with LOTS of stair steps back up but if you can do it certainly worth it."
  • Water Activities: At Mistletoe State Park Campground, you can enjoy kayaking and fishing. A camper shared, "The fishing is AMAZING! 20 palm-sized shell cracker on the first day!"
  • Family Fun: Fort Yargo State Park Campground has playgrounds and trails. One family said, "We played putt-putt golf, walked along the dam, and played on the playgrounds."

What campers like

What you should know

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to."
  • Additional Fees: Be prepared for extra costs, like parking fees at certain parks. One camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground noted, "On top of the $70 a night you must pay a $20 parking fee."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Twin Lakes at Lake Hartwell pointed out, "The bathrooms were dated and dirty with poor lighting."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. One family at Indian Springs State Park Campground enjoyed, "There were lots of other kids there to play with during our 3-night stay."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. A visitor at Fort Yargo State Park Campground mentioned, "We took to the pathways with our dog and enjoyed the many animals roaming through the woods."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. One camper at Mistletoe State Park Campground said, "This place has everything, even cheap laundry!"

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Tugaloo State Park Campground mentioned, "The roads were a little narrow for larger rigs but look to be well maintained."
  • Use Dump Stations: Familiarize yourself with the dump station locations. A visitor at Don Carter State Park Campground noted, "Dump station is on the way out."
  • Reserve Early: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Unicoi State Park & Lodge advised, "Not paying $75 a night for a campsite. This place has gone downhill since the private company took it over!"

Camping around Athens, Georgia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Athens, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Athens, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Athens, GA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Athens, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Athens, GA is Fort Yargo State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 41 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Athens, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Athens, GA.

What parks are near Athens, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Athens, GA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.