If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Athens, look no further. The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Athens. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Athens, Georgia's most popular destinations.
This recreation area is part of Lake Sidney Lanier
This park is located at the intersection of Browns Bridge Road and Appalachee Church Road and was newly dedicated for the late Council member James Shackelford. Before its dedication and reopening, the park was renovated by Scout Troop 774. This park offers camping areas with shelters, and a beautiful nature trail that circles the park.
Buford Dam Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.
The lake, named for the poet, Sidney Lanier, is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities. Each year, over 7.5 million people come to visit.
Lake Lanier boasts 38,000 surface acres, 690 miles of shoreline and over 100 small islands. Its location in the forested foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, makes for a beautiful backdrop to any activity.
Visitors can access the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail from multiple locations and parks. The trail is a 3.5 mile loop that offers great views of the lake and Chattahoochee River. Fisherman can expect to catch a variety of species including bass, catfish and panfish. Activities include fishing, swimming, wake boarding, kayaking and hiking.
Bolding Mill Park offers access to a designated swim beach and the Laurel Ridge Hiking Trail. The park also offers a basketball court, soccer field, playground, picnic areas and restrooms.
Nearby attractions include boat ramps, other USACE parks, and Lake Lanier Islands.
Experience the magic of our 14-acre oasis in Greensboro, GA. - once a chic wedding venue now a campers dream. Sleep beneath stars, wander through history: antebellum home, cabins, and barns. Find solace by your own private fire pit, or join the pavilion's communal fire. Roast marshmallows and retell stories beneath the Southern sky. This isn't camping; it's a journey into a living, breathing storybook. Welcome to your unique escape!
$50 / night
Come experience true peace and serenity at Whispering Pines located in the small, yet growing town of Fair Play, SC. It includes 2 acres of raw, private land to explore and set up tents or hammocks for a truly “off-grid” experience located right next to Lake Hartwell. It it 1 mile away from a community dock located on the same road and less than 10 minutes away from Fair Play Beach Recreational Area ( includes swimming area, boat ramps, outdoor grills, shaded seating area, and park.) Parking is just off the side of the road of the property in the grass and can accommodate any type of vehicle. You will find an area with fresh water bottles, a restroom tent and fire pit for campfires. For a small extra fee you may rent an outdoor cooking stove, grill, or fishing poles. There is no running water on the property, but there will be a tent with a brand new makeshift toilet provided you may use. Camper is responsible for removing waste bucket from the property to dispose of properly. Pets are welcome, but please be cautious of wildlife in the area and make sure to use caution with food and trash.
$33 / night
Traveler
Cabin 3 stars- older duplex cabin, studio (hotel) style, shared front porch, roomy, clean and comfortable, tub/shower combo in bathroom, high top dining seating for 2, very rustic private screened in back porch overlooking woods *Campground 3 stars- wooded, shady, hilly, paved roads, quiet, nice lake *Amenities 4 stars- clean pool area with 4 canopies for shade, loungers and chairs *Staff 5 stars-very friendly and helpful, informative, responsive, checked in on us multiple times through the campground texting service
Scout
We are at spot 97 and was suppose to get 44. The host at the front office gave us a different spot that would be easier access to our 40ft 5th wheel. The view is fantastic. We brought 2 dogs which they enjoyed the scenery. They are firm on making sure pet owners have their leash on and do not free roam. A lot of deer just walking around. Bathrooms are in good shape. We plan on staying a week. No Wi-Fi so we are using hotspots on our cells. We have Verizon and showing 2 bar LTE.
Guide
This was our 2nd time at this campsite. We didn’t get the site we wanted but were only 2 away. It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted. I can’t wait to get back to Georgia!!
Guide
This was the 1st campground we stayed at when we brought our RV all the way from California. It's beautiful, but the site we usually get has a long slope down to the water. We usually stay in Site 70 and have for 3 years. Unfortunately, I couldn't get this site for 2025. We will be in 21 for a week instead. I'll still be happy with anywhere we stay on Lake Lanier!
Guide
We were in this campground for 2 weeks. It was beautiful and had the best view of most of the campgrounds on the lake. I loved waking up to seeing the lake and the water every morning. I only gave this campground a 4 because of the turn arounds. After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight. We practiced and discussed the best way to get out. When the time came we had a heck of a time getting the RV turned. It was so tight that the 5th wheel was only 1 inch from hitting the cab and the axels on the RV were in a bind (the tires looked twisted). I would stay here again, with a much smaller RV. Until then, we will be avoiding this campground.
Guide
We did an overnighter to check this out after doing a separate hike on the primary trails from the other side of the park in the morning.
Getting to the campsite was simple enough and it is the quoted 3/4 mile walk in. It was great to see some families utilizing the space. There is good cell reception (T-Mobile)
Very peaceful and even had the sounds of a vibrant coyote pack.
Guide
This is my second time here, first was a scouting trip and stayed only a few days. This trip I brought my family and stayed 9 days. Autumn is beautiful but we were probably a week or two early for the full color change of the trees. The weather was a little warm for Oct./Nov. but we're from Florida and anything cooler and less humid is welcome.The trails have been maintained and new markers put in place. Bath houses were clean and tidy and the camp crew kept everything neat , they even blew the leaves off of the road every morning. Kudos to Georgia Power for keeping such a great campground with large spaces between campers and still remaining cozy.
Guide
Amazing place. We went in the winter so it wasn't too crowded. Sites are waterfront and spacious
Guide
Very good spot near the lake. Awesome views and good signal at least for Verizon. Water pressure was a bit inconsistent so watch out for any issues that may cause
Ranger
This place was great. We arrived after hours and spoke with the camp host he told us we can pay online or in the morning. We drove all day in the sun and due to hurricane Helene aftermath we were limited on where to stay. It was nice to pull in and it be nice and cool with the trees. The stars popped out at night and could be seen through the tree tops. Showers were hot.
ScoutVery rude and unhelpful said he would call me back to let me know if there was any openings. He never called back.
Guide
I loved everything about this campground. The sites all have beautiful views and lake access, they are decently apart from each other. And has great signal! I was getting consistent 5G 3 bars at least with Verizon. The bathrooms don't have showers so plan accordingly
ScoutWhile the camp hosts were very nice and the bathrooms were clean, that’s where the good ends. The sites are on top of each other in the inner loop and very much out of level. There is no place to dump trash in the campground. The only places were at the boat ramp and beach. Worst of all was the dump station was overflowing and could not be used when we were leaving.
Guide
Site 7 is separate from the others and has the whole point except there is a trail behind the site. No easy, sandy water access unless you go to the nice beach they have.
GuideNice campsites with water and electricity. Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times.
TravelerWe stayed in site 7 and we really enjoyed it. The site was clean and the pad was very level.
We had a minor issue popping the 30amp breaker but switched over to the 50 amp adapter and all worked fine.
Didn’t use the bath house but I did go check them out and they looked clean.
I would caution big rigs on the first loop (sites 2 - 9) the loop at the back is pretty tight. We did fine with our 28’ TT but anyone over 30’ might want to consider the other loops.
Driving through and looking at the other sites some of the picnic areas need to be reworked or at the very least mowed and weeded. If it wasn’t for that sort of stuff I would give it 5 stars.
LegendWe’ve camped here multiple times. We are always impressed with the spacious sites, lake access, quiet relaxing atmosphere.
Traveler
Tons of things to do train rides, gondola ride to the top, hiking and fireworks. Stayed in a safari tent a little worn down with duck tape on the screen. However, clean bathroom/showers and fun pool. A couple of crazy squirrels visit us every morning.
Legend
We live in NC and have camped all over the eastern US. By far Georgia is a state with some of the very best infrastructure. Roads are great. State Parks are some of the best and we’ve camped at many. Tugaloo State Park is a nice park. Right on the lake. Lots of lake related activities. This area of the campground (sites 73-105) has a unique layout in that a large number of sites are pull through and arranged sideways along the access roads. This makes the sites long and narrow and results in close neighbors. The elongated sites mean the picnic table and fire pit are at far end and feel disconnected from the site. Roads are well maintained and sites all seemed pretty level. We were in site 97 with W/E. The bathhouse was very close, but we did not use it. We were a few rows back from the lake but had a view of the lake through the tall pines that provided some shade. We’ve camped here a couple of other times and would come back again.
Guide
Camp host Bobby was pleasant and helpful, Sites were a good size and spaced well. Georgia Power has some of the nicest campgrounds and this one is a gem. Great place for boating and fishing and kiddos will love the beach, not many trails to hike and very Dog Friendly (a must for us) Bath house and latrines were absolutely stellar and very clean, laundry area as well. Spray WELL for ants as they are abundant we had no issues but our neighbors needed some assistance in mitigation. Close drive to town for additional supplies and a Publix supermarket is about 2 miles away. final words... Great place for kids and boating if you're looking for wilderness trails this is not the place.
GuideI was debating on whether or not to leave this stellar review, knowing that once the word was out, the crowds would come. This park operated by Georgia power and light is one of the nicest cleanest and well cared for parks. I’ve been in. Most state parks could take a lesson from the operators of these parks. First off the RV sites are large and spaced out enough so that your neighbors are not in your backyard. Plenty of trees and Flora To keep the park looking natural. If you like trails, there is an abundance and some are multi use so bring your mountain bike.. They have some black diamond mountain bike trails as well for the more experienced. Some of the walking trails have signs along them for historical markers, or just descriptions of the local flora and fauna. All of the roads are paved and access for my 30 foot RV were easily negotiated., The lake is very large and welcomes boaters of any kind, including jet skis. There is a small swimming beach, of course no dogs allowed but if you walk around the edge of the lake, you can find plenty of spots to take a splash with your pup.. joe is the park host along with his wife and I’ve been there for 11 years super nice fellow very accommodating. The showers and restroom facilities are the cleanest I’ve ever experienced, hot water was abundant. The only thing that may be lacking or hooks to hang your towels.. If I could give it 10 stars, I would,
Guide
Great little place to camp. Beautiful lake. Bathrooms and showers are on site.
TravelerMy family and I camped here for the weekend. Our campsite was beautiful and level. We could easily accommodate our pop-up camper and a 4-person tent with room to spare! My son was able to play and explore. My only critic would be that we were a little let down at the condition of the beach and that there was no playground when there was one listed on the grounds map. We will definitely be returning nonetheless.
TravelerCabin 3 stars- Older cabin, clean, spacious with very large living area, loft area small and a bit dingy, shared porch Campground 3 stars-wooded, shady, hilly Amenities 3 stars- a bit run down Staff 3 stars-average
ScoutGreat camp ground. Very clean and well maintained.
TravelerCame here for the first time last year and I love that it’s in the middle of no where. We had a great place next to the beach and the gate workers were so sweet!
TravelerBeen going here since I was a kid and now I take my kids every year. It’s quiet but it could use more campsites with a beach area and maybe updated bathrooms. Still love it though
Tent camping near Athens, Georgia offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakeside spots to well-equipped facilities, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Athens, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Athens, GA is Shady Grove Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
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