Located in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, Ball Ground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,102 feet with moderate humidity and temperatures that range from 30°F in winter to 89°F in summer. The surrounding area features mixed hardwood forests and rolling terrain, creating varied camping environments with proximity to several water features. Cabin rentals near Ball Ground offer different privacy levels, with some clustered in developed camping areas and others more secluded on mountainsides or lakeshores.
What to do
Hike to historic structures: Fort Mountain State Park features a mysterious 855-foot-long stone wall believed to be over 1,000 years old. "The fire tower is a vision..To think that young men came and worked and set every stone step you walk on to get to see the tower is an amazing feat of engineering," notes one visitor at Fort Mountain State Park Campground.
Paddle on mountain lakes: The 17-acre lake at Fort Mountain provides opportunities for kayaking and canoeing in a serene mountain setting. "There is a wonderful tent site area with beautiful views of the lake," reports a camper who enjoyed the quieter water activities available at several cabin locations.
Geocaching adventures: Several parks offer geocaching opportunities for tech-savvy explorers. At Don Carter State Park Campground, "There are hiking trails, geocaches, a beach area, picnic shelters, cottages and a brand new equestrian trail system!" according to a recent visitor.
Winter wildlife viewing: Fall and winter months offer increased wildlife visibility around cabins. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," shares a visitor at Vogel State Park Campground.
What campers like
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard cabins, several parks offer specialized sleeping options. "We choose the platform camp site by the creek. It has a pavilion and a creek very close by. It was a hike in but it was simply amazing!" reports a visitor to Vogel State Park.
Trail variety: The diverse terrain supports trails for all abilities. A camper at Fort Mountain notes, "Get a trail map!! These are awesome trails and varied trails with lots of elevation. The Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths."
Backcountry experience with comforts: Len Foote Hike Inn provides an unusual blend of backcountry access with modest comforts. "If you are planning to backpack up to this spot, you should know that you will need very little once you get there. They have hot showers with soap, linens for the shower and bedding, snacks and drinks on hand, a hot dinner and breakfast," explains a visitor at Len Foote Hike Inn.
Fishing access: Many cabin locations provide direct access to fishing. "My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site," shares a visitor at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Despite proximity to metro Atlanta, cell service varies widely. At Fort Mountain, campers report "inconsistent cell coverage even with a Winegard booster with AT&T and Verizon. Mornings were best reception and evening were not so good."
Terrain challenges: Many cabin areas feature significant elevation changes. "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite," notes a visitor at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping.
Seasonal maintenance: Some facilities have reduced maintenance in off-seasons. A visitor to Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing notes, "One of the main reasons we chose this was for what seemed like a great beach access. Unfortunately it looks like it hasn't been maintained in a good 5-10yrs."
Reservation windows: Peak seasons require advance planning. For Len Foote Hike Inn, visitors advise: "Book Early! This place sells out quickly during months of good weather and for all holidays (Especially Thanksgiving)."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several parks offer specialized activities for children. Stone Mountain Park Campground features "all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too."
Platform camping for adventure: For a unique family experience, consider elevated platforms. "As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect--and it was," shares a visitor to Fort Mountain State Park about their platform camping experience.
Educational opportunities: Many cabins near Ball Ground offer ranger-led programs. "Terri Tucker, manager of the visitor store, and her staff are excellent and knowledgeable about not just their park but also the surrounding area and nearby parks," notes a visitor to Vogel State Park.
Wildlife education preparation: Explain wildlife encounters before arrival. At Fort Mountain, a camper notes: "From 6 in the evening and beyond you will find deer grazing in late summer and early fall, also raccoons and other small animals can be spotted roaming in some of the open areas."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Carefully review campsite layouts when reserving. "The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper. This is a great campground though," advises an Amicalola Falls visitor.
Power management: For RVers seeking full hookups, review power capabilities. At Red Top Mountain State Park, "There is no electric near the tent pad, the electric pole is 150+ feet away near the parking area. You probably could run 175 feet of electric extension cord... but it would have to run past the three other sites."
Road conditions: Mountain access roads present challenges for larger units. A visitor to Amicalola Falls notes, "Nice state park with good amenities. Loved the hike and waterfalls. Roads are extremely steep getting to the campground."
Grey water management: Some campgrounds have unusual waste systems. At Marina Resort - Allatoona Landing, campers report "Most sites don't have sewer hookup but there is a dump station and randomly placed gray water dumps which aren't really accessible while parked unless you have a 50'+ hose."
