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Best Dispersed Camping near Ball Ground, GA

29 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping areas can be found in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Ball Ground, Georgia. Jones Creek and Justus Creek offer primitive campsites along waterways, with Jones Creek allowing drive-in access on narrow dirt roads while Justus Creek requires hiking in. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides elevated camping with views, though ground clearance is necessary for access. "A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn't recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle," noted one camper about Hidden Creek Campground.

Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area provides a large open field for multiple groups, situated near Lake Conasauga with access to hiking trails including Tearbritches and Emery Creek. Forest service roads leading to most sites are rough gravel with significant potholes, making high-clearance vehicles advisable. A visitor reported, "Remote for eastern U.S. Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food." Most dispersed sites permit campfires and allow alcohol and pets, but lack amenities such as toilets, trash service, or drinking water. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ball Ground, Georgia (21)

    1. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
    22 miles

    "Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road. When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road."

    2. Justus Creek Campsite

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    28 miles

    "We were warned about bears in the area so were very cautious about hanging our bear bag a little extra distance away on the opposite side of the creek."

    3. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Cherry Log, GA
    29 miles
    Website

    "Nice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."

    4. Preacher's Rock

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    32 miles
    Website

    5. Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road

    2 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    34 miles

    "They have a couple closer to water but most are more remote. There is a 3 mile long dirt road to travel on."

    "It was along the road and there were a few cars driving past during the night but not enough to bother us or make us feel unsafe at all."

    6. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    39 miles
    Website

    "This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) "

    "This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on"

    7. Hightower Gap Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Suches, GA
    26 miles

    8. Cowrock Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, GA
    39 miles

    "Dispersed camp sites at or near the summit of Cowrock Mountain offer wonderfully shaded spots with long range views of the Blue Ridge."

    "This section of the AT isn’t easy breezy, but it levels out and the trees thin out on the mountain ridges to relatively open, flat land for camping Ran into som AT’ers packing up for the morning."

    9. Hidden Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Calhoun, GA
    42 miles

    "A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle."

    "GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks."

    10. Jack's River Falls Trail/Cohutta Wilderness Backcountry Group Camp

    4 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    45 miles

    "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls. Camping is primitive as back country can be but worth the trek."

    "Obviously very close to the river to filter water from. We didn't see any wildlife at this site, but we did see a copperhead at another earlier in the trip, so be aware!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ball Ground, GA

30 Photos of 21 Ball Ground Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ball Ground, GA

29 Reviews of 21 Ball Ground Campgrounds

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Pretty Decent Place to Stay

    A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Creekside Camp

    Very primitive

    No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.

  • Roy B.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Roy B.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • B
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    Beautiful but popular

    Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.

    When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road. This area seems to be popular for local dirt bikers, but we seen people fishing and relaxing all the same.

    I would have gave 5 stars, but these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns( in the distance), which isn’t a problem for us, but reduced the relaxing nature of the visit with all this combined.

    This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit.

  • Damion V.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2019

    High Shoals Falls Trail Dispersed

    Semi-secluded Camping in the Chattahoochee NF

    A relatively moderate 2.4 mile (round trip) hike with primitive camping/ backpacking campsites alongside High Shoals Creek. The trail contains 2 beautiful Georgia waterfalls, Blue Hole Falls and High Shoals Falls. The area is lush with mountain laurel, rhododendrons, and old-growth trees. The cool waters of High Shoals Creek offer rewarding refreshment after a day of exploring the various wildflowers and plant life while serving as a soothing sound to fall asleep too while stargazing.

Guide to Ball Ground

Several free dispersed camping options exist in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Ball Ground, Georgia. Jones Creek and Justus Creek offer primitive campsites along waterways, with Jones Creek accessible via dirt roads while Justus Creek requires hiking in. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides tent and RV camping with mountain views, though ground clearance is necessary for access. According to one visitor, "4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."

Road conditions vary throughout the area, with many sites requiring navigation of rough forest service roads. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, located in a more remote section, provides south-facing views ideal for stargazing but demands patience on sketchy gravel roads. A camper noted, "Remote, field. Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food." Fire regulations differ between sites, with most permitting campfires except Ball Field and several backcountry locations. None of these dispersed areas provide amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring visitors to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ball Ground, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ball Ground, GA is Jones Creek Dispersed Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ball Ground, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Ball Ground, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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