Best Campgrounds near Baldwin, GA

Northeast Georgia around Baldwin provides access to several established campgrounds in the mountains and foothills region. Campgrounds like Lake Russell Recreation Area, Don Carter State Park, and Unicoi State Park offer diverse camping experiences within 30 miles of Baldwin. The camping landscape includes tent sites, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and yurt accommodations across both state parks and recreation areas. Most developed campgrounds in this region are situated around lakes or within forested mountain settings, providing a mix of waterfront and woodland camping opportunities.

Campground access varies seasonally with some facilities like Lake Russell Recreation Area operating from May through October, while others such as Don Carter State Park remain open year-round. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer and fall weekends when visitation peaks. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the mountain region, with several reviewers noting limited connectivity. Weather conditions typically include mild springs and falls with hot, humid summers and occasional winter freezes at higher elevations. As one visitor remarked about Lake Russell, "It feels pretty secluded from the city because of the long drive in. Beautiful sites and plenty of trails nearby. Limited to no service out here."

The region's mixed-use campgrounds receive positive feedback for their natural settings and amenities. Waterfront camping areas around Lake Lanier at Don Carter State Park and Lake Russell Recreation Area are particularly popular for fishing and paddling opportunities. Several campgrounds offer hiking trails directly accessible from camping areas. Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of facilities and the peaceful environment. "Not as cramped and crowded as some State parks. The reserved sites on the 2nd loop are more private and some offer good lake views," noted one Lake Russell visitor. Both tent and RV campers will find suitable options, though some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. Many developed campgrounds provide showers, restrooms, and hookups, while some more remote areas offer a more primitive experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Baldwin, Georgia (399)

    1. Don Carter State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Lula, GA
    12 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. "

    2. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Tallulah Falls, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 754-7981

    $36 - $45 / night

    "Tallulah Gorge is located in the far north east corner of Georgia. The campground is pretty tight, and difficult to maneuver with a large RV."

    "It’s perfectly situated to visit all the cute towns in northern Georgia and they have well maintained sites, hiking trails, and a swim beach not far."

    3. Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    50 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 878-2201

    "The tent camp site was good, bathrooms and water were a close walking distance.
    We picked this state park for all the activities. We took archery lessons and did the zip line course."

    "Perched on the side of the beautiful Georgia mountains, I feel as if you're 1,000,000 miles away from the madness."

    4. Lake Russell Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Mount Airy, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 778-8427

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Loop A is in walking distance to the beach area/day use area. It was so peaceful! There’s one bathroom in Loop A. With 2 stalls and one shower in the women’s portion."

    "It feels pretty secluded from the city because of the long drive in. Beautiful sites and plenty of trails nearby. My friend and I brought our hammocks and enjoyed a very peaceful weekend."

    5. Raven Cliff Falls

    28 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    21 miles
    Website

    "There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends. There is water and bathroom access."

    "Raven Cliff Falls is another popular spot in Northeast Georgia. Its on one one of the most scenic highways and s in a great location if you want to venture into Helen, Brasstown, Bald, or Hiawassee."

    6. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2628

    $30 - $290 / night

    "Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."

    "Vogel State Park is hands down one of the nicest parks in Georgia. It has great hiking trails for every level of hiker, and a very beautiful lake that's great for fishing and paddling."

    7. Currahee RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Toccoa, GA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 779-2340

    "The spot was amazing, next to a creek with a small deck. Even with all the rain I was on the deck relaxing and listen to the water flow. I can not recommend this location enough."

    "Close to mountains. Highly recommend"

    8. Nancytown Group Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Airy, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 754-6221

    "A nice small campground by the lake where you can fish and swim. There are some Hiking trails around too. The campground is small and secluded and camp sites aren’t stacked on top of each other."

    "Fishing and picnic tables with hiking trails nearby."

    9. River Falls at the Gorge

    22 Reviews
    Lakemont, GA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 754-0292

    "Located right on the River in Lakemont GA. This campground is in a perfect location next to lots of trails, waterfalls and amenities. The campground itself has an indoor and outdoor pool."

    "Full hook ups in A section and then plenty more around the camp ground that offer all but sewage.
    1 video of the gorge which is really close by and a nice hike"

    10. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Rabun Gap, GA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 746-2141

    $20 - $255 / night

    "We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."

    "The highest state park in Georgia has two general camping sections with power and water (and free cable if you're so inclined to hook up to watch TV)."

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Recent Reviews near Baldwin, GA

1773 Reviews of 399 Baldwin Campgrounds


  • paul Z.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sadlers Creek State Park Campground

    Nice lake campground

    Awesome views over lake Hartwell. Nice sized sites, could be a little more level. Needed to slightly block up rear of out class A to get level. Stairs down to the water right next to our site so easy access to our canoe. We will camp here again. 50A power and water at site. Dump station near the exit. ATT phones worked well. Greenville TV stations OTA easily received. Awesome sunrises and sunsets

  • paul Z.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Watson Mill Bridge State Park Campground

    Small and nice, Great place for quiet

    Large sites in a wooded area. Plenty of room with pull through and back in sites. Older campground but serene with great hiking trails and awesome scenery. We live very close to this park yet this was the first time camping here. This was the trial run for our latest rig so basically a shakedown cruise. The campsite was fairly level and with forest off the door side of the Camper. Only 30 A power here so we had to watch what we were running electrically. They did have 2 30A outlets but at this time we did not have the double 30 to 50 amp adapter. We will be staying here again whenever we want a quick weekend getaway.

  • George M.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mulky Campground

    Great location for fishing

    A lot of the campsites are right on the water, so it's super easy to fish. But if you want something more private, there are also some secluded spots up the road.

  • Ethan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Tugaloo State Park Campground

    Extremely crowded

    This campground was not fully booked, yet most campsites were maxed out with people in each one so it felt extremely busy with lots of partying-like noise. Lots of vehicle/ golf cart/ sxs traffic throughout grounds and past our campsite at all hours. Only a few campsites offer a little bit of privacy, most have none. Lots of pictures that show waterfront property can be deceiving. Bathrooms were big and very clean, and all staff were friendly.

  • Jacquelyn I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Chattooga River Lodge and Campground

    Connect with nature

    This was my first stop traveling and my converted short bus. I have been here before so I felt super comfortable being here. But I have never can’t. I am at campsite six which is perfect for a smaller rig or take camping. It’s right along the creek and very private with a short walk to the bathhouse. Through a fun trail you can make it to the lodge. This campground is surrounded by many places to hike and scenic waterfalls. It’s a must stay. The owners Mat and Teresa are amazing.

  • A
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Margaritaville

    Best Campground Ever

    My wife and I went here for a week back in June 2025. I’ve been to many campgrounds in my day and I can say this one by far is the best. Clean campsites, fun amenities and great golf.

    We went to a Braves game one night since it is only an hour away and made may fond memories. I have already scheduled my week to go back again in 2026!

  • G F.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Overpriced

    Like some of the other privately managed Georgia state parks, our visit here was disappointing.

    The issues started at the welcome center. The RV parking area was full of cars, even though plenty of regular parking spots were open. When we mentioned it to staff, the response was dismissive — one employee told us, “that’s above my paygrade.”

    The restroom at the welcome center was also a low point. The toilets are stainless steel with no seats — the kind you’d expect to see in a jail — and designed so shallow that whether you sit or hover, you end up getting splashed. It’s an unpleasant and unsanitary setup.

    The campground itself felt neglected, with rotting picnic tables and a general lack of upkeep. It’s also isolated from the rest of the park — there isn’t even a connector trail from the camping area to a single hiking trail, which makes it feel cut off from the very amenities most people come for. At $60 a night, you’d expect at least a basic map of the trails and amenities, but instead you’re told to snap a photo of a cardboard display. That felt like corner-cutting.

    One memorable (and concerning) part of the stay was the bear activity. In September, several bears came through the campground, startling tent campers who had to retreat inside their cars for safety.

    All in all, while the natural setting of Amicalola Falls is beautiful, the way the park is managed left the overall experience underwhelming and, at times, frustrating.

  • austin C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Great camping as of September 2025

    Very nice area to camp saw multiple sites throughout the road. Weather got a little cooler at night but the stars were a beauty to see. managed to fit 3 tents and 2 hammocks at the campsite near 34°50'26.3"N 83°40'44.6"W Wood was a little wet as it had rained 2 days prior so might be worth bringing your own.

    Also worth it if you're into astrophotography as all of tray mountain sits within the few dark areas within north Georgia.

    Did not see any signs of large predators but did see lots of spent 12GA shells and other casings.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!


Guide to Baldwin

Northeast Georgia camping spots near Baldwin, Georgia offer a mix of mountain and foothills terrain with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 feet. Most campgrounds in the region operate between April and October, though weather varies significantly with summer temperatures reaching into the 90s and winter nights occasionally dropping below freezing. Cell service remains inconsistent across the area, particularly in more remote camping locations.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: At Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, visitors can explore dramatic canyon views via steep hiking trails. "The hiking is fun but intense. Be prepared for lots of stairs, a bridge over the water, and rock hopping across the water," says Jamie M. The park features multiple waterfall vantage points accessed through various trails.

Mountain biking: Multiple trails are available within 30 minutes of Baldwin. At Unicoi State Park & Lodge, campers can access numerous bike-friendly paths. "A lot of activities to do! Mountain biking, hiking, zip lining, etc. Will definitely be returning in the future!" notes Rebeca A.

Paddling and lake activities: Several campgrounds offer water access for fishing and boating. "The lake is perfect for tubing. It is just a 30 min drive to Helen Ga which is a very popular area for tourism. There is nearby Lake Rabun which also has a recreation area for swimming," writes Matt and Tabatha C. about River Falls at the Gorge.

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds provide opportunities for animal watching. The forested settings are home to diverse wildlife including deer and small mammals. "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out. So pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag," warns a camper at Raven Cliff Falls.

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: Campers appreciate the more remote options where privacy is valued. "Not as cramped & crowded as State parks. First loop is first come first serve, with sites closer to the beach side of lake, if you're there in the summer. However, the reserved sites on 2nd loop are more private & some offer good lake views," notes Elizabeth W. about Lake Russell Recreation Area.

Clean facilities: Many reviewers highlight well-maintained bathrooms and shower buildings. "The campground hosts were friendly and they kept the bath houses/laundry facilities spotless!" mentions George & Patty C. about Don Carter State Park Campground.

Creek-side camping: Sites along flowing water are particularly popular. "We chose site A10 right by the Tallulah River. Loved the river right behind us... Bathhouse was clean and the river made it all worthwhile," writes Todd L. about River Falls at the Gorge.

Walk-in tent sites: More secluded tent-only areas are available at several parks. "Very beautiful primitive sites. Bear boxes at each campsite. This site was a bit far from parking, so I'd recommend packing your things in a backpack. Beautiful view of Clayton at night," says Hanna P. about Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have minimal connectivity. "I have Verizon and I had one bar here. Enough to send/receive a text but that's about it," explains Elizabeth G. about Lake Russell Recreation Area.

Campsite proximity: Many campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. "Sites are VERY close together. No privacy at all... Also, from about 4am to 10pm you hear the constant traffic on the nearby highway," notes Maggie C. about Vogel State Park.

Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect the camping experience. "We camped in our trusty pop up camper so direct sun is always an issue (non-insulated bunk ends) but a travel trailer/RV would probably fare well (as far as temp goes). We'll be back but in the Fall when it is a bit cooler!" advises George & Patty C.

Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. "We arrived at dusk on a Friday and got the last walk-in site available," mentions DeWayne H. about Raven Cliff Falls, highlighting the importance of advance planning or early arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds have specific features for younger campers. "The campground was pretty centralized to all the action at the facility with trails leading to the visitor center, a beach, tennis courts and trails," notes Crystal C. about Tallulah Gorge.

Check beach access: Swimming areas are popular with families. "We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and its just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept," shares Cameron G. about Don Carter State Park.

Consider walk distances: Some primitive sites require carrying gear. "The test sights are amazing, bring a cart because it's a 1/4 mile walk, the sights are super clean and easy access," recommends Chad S. about tent camping at Don Carter State Park.

Evaluate trail difficulty: Not all trails are suitable for younger children. "Take half a day and climb Blood Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. Views from the summit are breathtaking...doing the hike is also a little breathtaking too," warns Dave V. about trails near Vogel State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Almost every lot is tight and they are not level," notes Andrea W. about River Falls at the Gorge.

RV size limitations: Large rigs won't fit at all campgrounds. "Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites," warns Ted D. about Black Rock Mountain State Park.

Hookup placement: Some sites have unusual utility arrangements. "Only bad thing is that the sewer drain is much higher than the pad and camper," reports Brett D. about Currahee RV Park.

Surface types: Different campgrounds have varied parking surfaces. "The RV campground features all paved campsites so it would be tough camping in a tent (no way to stake your tent)," mentions George & Patty C. about Don Carter State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Baldwin, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Baldwin, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 399 campgrounds and RV parks near Baldwin, GA and 40 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Baldwin, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Baldwin, GA is Don Carter State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 35 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Baldwin, GA.

What parks are near Baldwin, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Baldwin, GA that allow camping, notably Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.