Camping near Bishop, Georgia provides access to several state parks within an hour's drive. The area features rolling Piedmont forests with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet, creating moderate temperature swings between day and night in summer. Regional campgrounds remain open year-round with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 30°F, though primitive camping areas at some facilities close seasonally.
What to do
Paddle and kayak year-round: Hard Labor Creek State Park offers multiple water activities on its lakes. "We were able to walk off of the back of our site and onto the trail system, which is perfect because we are avid hikers," notes George & Patty C., who also mention the park has "kayak rentals, a beach area (swimming) and two nice lakes."
Mountain biking opportunities: Several parks provide dedicated cycling trails away from hiking paths. "Mountain biking a few miles down the road," reports Christina, who stayed at Hard Labor Creek for a week, while Fort Yargo State Park features "nature programs, disc golf, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, and a 260-acre lake" according to Nancy W.
Fishing access points: Multiple lakefront campsites provide direct water access. At Shady Grove Campground, "large clean sites with power and water. No sewer but the park does have a dump station. Many water sites," explains Wendy G. The campground offers both dedicated fishing areas and shoreline access from individual sites.
What campers like
Well-maintained bathhouses: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of facilities. At A. H. Stephens State Park, visitors appreciate that "the bathrooms stayed spotless every time" according to Karen C., who adds "the showers were very clean as well, one is smaller than the other."
Spacious campsites: State parks in this region feature large sites with good separation. "We grabbed site 43 because it is close to the bath house but very private," shares George & Patty C. about Hard Labor Creek, adding "the campground is not cramped at all and most of the sites are spread apart to provide privacy."
Easy lake access from sites: Many campgrounds feature direct water access. "We stayed in site #22. There are premium lake side sites," notes Laura M. about Fort Yargo, while at Bald Ridge Creek, "nearly every site is on the Lake, with access to the water," according to Pam, who visits frequently because "it's only a 35 minute drive from home."
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions vary: Some parks strictly enforce no-alcohol policies. Rick B. warns about Shady Grove 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... Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00."
Weekday vs. weekend experience: Crowd levels fluctuate significantly. Christina from Hard Labor Creek advises: "Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Spent 7 nights. The weekend nights were so crowded with cars spilling into the camp roads, loads of large groups at each site. Felt very claustrophobic. On weekdays the park became a lovely ghost town."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have water issues. At Indian Springs State Park, Karen C. found "some sediment in the water from the spigot and it seemed to have a bit of a chlorine taste. I would suggest bring your own water or a water filter."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas. At Stone Mountain Park Campground, Harvey B. shares: "There's all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too." The park provides numerous kid-friendly amenities beyond the camping area.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer animal sighting possibilities. Todd L. mentions at Fort Yargo: "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere," making the park perfect for nature observation with children.
Walk-in sites for privacy: Fort Yargo offers unique walk-in options for families wanting separation. "If you're like me and appreciate a bit of privacy when camping, the walk-in campsites at Fort Yargo are the place to go. Just a short 1-2 minutes walk from your car and bathrooms, but you feel much more secluded than the campsites in the regular campground," reports Amalia K.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require preparation for uneven sites. Joel R. warns about Don Carter State Park: "Who ever decided that every campsite needed to be asphalt should be hung! This is a newer State Park in Georgia and it could be nice, but it's been paved over. They classify them as RV sites, but they are parking lots."
Check site restrictions before booking: Size limitations exist at many parks. Cameron G. shares about Don Carter State Park: "Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit." Always verify space dimensions when making reservations for glamping close to Bishop, Georgia.
Heat considerations for campers: Asphalt pads and sun exposure create climate challenges. "The ASPHALT is part of the reason for the review's title, coupled with the fact that this is a new park and tree coverage is a bit sparse for the time being. Once the canopy fills out, it will be shady," notes George & Patty C. about Don Carter State Park, adding they'll return "in the Fall when it is a bit cooler."
