Glamping in north Georgia offers a distinctive experience with upscale accommodations nestled in natural settings. Located approximately 85 miles northeast of Atlanta, the Baldwin area sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet, creating mild summer temperatures typically 8-10 degrees cooler than the city. The region's mixed hardwood forests provide dense shade for campers during summer months while offering brilliant fall colors from mid-October through early November.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 5 miles. The Raven Cliff Falls trail is a popular 5-mile round-trip hike ending at an impressive cascade. "The Raven Cliff Falls trail is a 2.5 miles hike that ends at a breathtaking waterfall, but the trail doesn't quite end there. Once you arrive at the falls there's plenty of room to roam the dozens of rock structures," notes one Raven Cliff Falls visitor.
Lake activities: fishing and paddling. Lake Lanier at Don Carter State Park offers excellent water recreation options. "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there's even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean," writes one camper. Water access varies by site - "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."
Stair climbing challenge: 1,000+ steps. For those seeking physical challenges, Tallulah Gorge offers an intensive workout. "It is 1099 stairs to the bottom of canyon! Campground was nice. Sites are open and unlevel but most were a good size. Sites are gravel with table, grill, water, and electric," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: natural sound barrier. Several campgrounds offer sites positioned along flowing water. At Raven Cliff Falls, "We camped along the creek at one of these sites. We absolutely loved being by the creek, and a lot of the sites are spread out to give a good bit of privacy." The natural sounds provide ambiance and privacy.
Clean facilities: consistently maintained. Vogel State Park maintains excellent bathhouses according to reviews. "Bathroom/showerhouses are strategically located in each loop. They are modern, bright, well-stocked and clean! Also provided are individual 'family/unisex' bathroom/shower facilities," mentions one visitor. The park's historic significance is highlighted with "a museum on site describing in great detail the transformation of this particular valley" by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Small campground atmosphere: personalized attention. Currahee RV Park provides a more intimate experience than larger state parks. "This was such a cute little campground and the owners were so nice! We were lucky enough to get a spot overlooking a creek on the property. We had a little deck that was perfect to back our toy hauler up to and open the back," shares a satisfied camper.
What you should know
Off-season benefits: reduced crowds. Winter and early spring offer quieter experiences at normally busy locations. "We went to Don Carter mid week after a holiday and the place was pretty empty. While usually that would be a bit weird this park made it one of the most amazing feelings on earth," writes one camper about their experience at the park.
Bear activity: proper food storage required. Wildlife encounters are possible at several campgrounds. "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," advises a Raven Cliff Falls camper.
Site levelness: varies significantly. Tallulah Gorge State Park has topography challenges. "Sites are open and unlevel but most were a good size," notes a camper. Another adds, "No matter how we did it our steps to the trailer came right in front of the giant cement table, which was nerve wrecking with little kids."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: multiple activity centers. Vogel State Park offers comprehensive recreation facilities. "Two separate children's playgrounds exist, not too far from one another. One near a small kids ball field...the other near a very nice volleyball court, permanent corn hole pit and state of the art outdoor exercise machine area," reports a visitor.
Swimming beach access: designated areas. Tugaloo State Park provides both lakefront camping and swimming areas. "We had camper and extra car with boat and kayak and fit with a little extra room. Able to kayak right from campsite," notes a camper about site 7, while others appreciate the dedicated swimming areas.
Kid-friendly creek exploration: natural play areas. At Jenny's Creek Family Campground, children can enjoy wading in the shallow creek. "We enjoyed fishing in the pond and trekking through the creek," writes one family. Another adds, "The tent sites are all either beside a creek or next to the pond. Large campsites for tents, we could have easily had 3 tents comfortably."
Tips from RVers
Grey water connections: convenient disposal. Several campgrounds offer this uncommon amenity. "Very quite and easy to utilize all amenities. Nice having grey tank connection at the sites. Will be back," notes a Don Carter State Park visitor about this convenient feature.
Site selection challenges: tight navigation. Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Jenny's Creek, "This was our first time in our travel trailer and it required lots of skills to backend to the sites. Not a lot of room because the roads are slim." Consider reserving pull-through sites when available.
Bathhouse proximity: convenience factor. Location of facilities relative to campsites varies significantly. Some tent sites require planning: "The only tent sites they offer are primitive and it's a bit of a walk to the bathrooms," notes a Georgia RV Park visitor, while others mention the convenience of nearby facilities.
