Fort Yargo State Park and nearby James Shackleford Memorial Park offer camping and glamping options within 10 miles of Auburn, Georgia. Located in the Georgia Piedmont region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, this area features gentle rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and moderate temperatures averaging 75°F in summer months. Water recreation dominates camping activities with multiple lakes supporting fishing, paddling and swimming.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Fort Yargo State Park contains extensive trail networks suited for all skill levels. One camper noted, "There is a nice hiking trail around the lake. No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground."
Mountain biking trails: The park maintains dedicated mountain bike paths separate from hiking trails. As one visitor to Stone Mountain Park Campground observed, "There are bike trails and plenty of entertainment for all."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide optimal wildlife spotting opportunities. At Shady Grove Campground, campers reported, "A lot of deer just walking around. Bathrooms are in good shape."
Fishing access: Multiple lake access points allow for bank fishing or boat launching. According to one River Forks Park visitor, "With access to both the lake and some playgrounds, this place was really nice. It had a nice grate if you want to cook over the fire."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites provide adequate separation between neighbors for privacy. At Don Carter State Park, a reviewer mentioned, "The sites are nice and large, flat (we didn't even need to get out our levels). They are arranged in a way that you don't feel close to your neighbor."
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive regular maintenance and cleaning. One camper at Stone Mountain Park noted, "Good for a quick get away while still having access to 'city life'. There are some beautiful spots close to the water where you do feel like you're deep in nature."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to cities, these parks maintain peaceful environments. At Shady Grove, one camper stated, "We had a huge nice site with lots of room for the pups to be on the tether."
Water access: Multiple parks feature direct waterfront sites. A visitor to Hard Labor Creek State Park stated, "Water views and hiking. Deer walking through the site."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance bookings, especially for weekend stays. A camper at Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground noted, "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."
Alcohol policies: Rules vary significantly between parks. A Shady Grove visitor warned, "Nice campground. If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets."
Site variations: Some campsites feature significant differences in accessibility and privacy. At River Forks, one camper explained, "Many sites have precarious/dangerous sloping driveways for RVs to get into. Newly installed sites are near completion but they make sites very close together."
Seasonal considerations: Fall offers optimal camping conditions with mild temperatures and fewer insects. A visitor noted about Fort Yargo, "We stayed in early November and there were other campers here, but still plenty of availability. The campground was nice and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Beach areas: Dedicated swimming zones provide safe water recreation for children. A visitor to Bald Ridge Creek observed, "The beach is nice for the kids. Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal."
Playground access: Multiple parks maintain playground equipment for younger children. One camper at River Forks noted, "With access to both the lake and some playgrounds, this place was really nice."
Kid-friendly trails: Short loop trails work well for families with small children. At Fort Yargo, a visitor shared, "Great campground, near shopping and restaurants. Great hiking trail around the lake."
Wildlife encounters: Scheduled early morning walks increase chances of seeing deer and other wildlife. A Shady Grove camper reported, "A lot of deer just walking around."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some parks feature uneven sites requiring leveling blocks. A Don Carter visitor warned, "Sites are nice and large, flat (we didn't even need to get out our levels)."
Hookup locations: Note the position of water and electric connections before selecting sites. One RVer at River Forks noted, "Some have hookups on the opposite side of camper. No sewer connection but park does have a dumb station."
Maneuverability: Narrow park roads can challenge larger RVs. A Hard Labor Creek camper advised, "Very hilly within the campground but wide roads."
Dump station access: Plan for potential Sunday morning lines at single-station facilities. As a Bald Ridge Creek visitor noted, "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal."
