The Plains area of Georgia offers a mix of accessible primitive and established camping options within a 30-mile radius. Elevations in this region generally stay below 500 feet, resulting in slower drainage after rainfall. The clay-based soil can become muddy quickly, particularly at primitive sites near waterways and ponds where additional wildlife considerations come into play.
What to do
Explore military history: Visit Georgia Veterans State Park Campground, where you can view historical military equipment and memorials. "The park has a museum and war time tank and aircraft. Large field where local airplane hobbyists come and fly their models," mentions Roger L., who stayed in Site #52.
Kayaking and boating: Lake Blackshear at Georgia Veterans State Park offers rentals for water activities. "You can kayak or rent a little boat it was cheap. My husband fished and we drove around the lake. You can have a AL. or GA fishing license here the lake runs through both states," reports B M.
Birding opportunities: Wildlife observation is excellent at Pecan Orchard Estate-Campground where the natural surroundings attract diverse species. According to Farah J., it's "a beautiful quiet spot for camping! It is a 15 acre Pecan Orchard Estate! Boarding hunting lands. Lots of wild life & TONs of singing birds."
Disc golf courses: Multiple campgrounds in the area feature disc golf layouts, offering recreation beyond standard camping activities. The Americus KOA is "surrounded by the disc golf course. The dog park was a small area not really worth taking the dogs off their leads," notes Shelly S.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Free camping exists at Rood Creek Park Camping with basic amenities. "Each site has a trash can and a picnic table. It was awesome... Woke up to fog on the water. It was beautiful!" says Rae W. about this no-cost option.
Water access: Many campers appreciate waterfront camping options with fishing opportunities. Sandy C. notes about Rood Creek, "We rented a JohnBoat, aka Dingy for the WestCoasters, for $35 for 4 hours from Florence Marina and so had use of their showers on that day."
Wildlife viewing: Observation of native wildlife adds value to many camping experiences. At Rood Creek Park, campers report, "Watched the alligators and birds on the water. Was able to easily launch a canoe as there is a boat ramp," according to James A.
Historic attractions: The region's Civil War history draws many visitors to the Andersonville area specifically. Stacy S. mentioned about Providence Canyon State Park Campground, "We reserved group shelter 03 which has access to trails right behind it, electricity, two bathrooms, and plenty of parking room for a large group of people."
What you should know
Time zone shifts: Some campsites in the region sit on the time zone boundary. One reviewer at Florence Marina noted, "Interestingly, time zones shift from Eastern at the visitors center to Central Time at Pioneer Campsites 1& 2...so be cognizant of the switch."
Alligator presence: Water bodies throughout the region contain alligators, making swimming unsafe in most natural areas. At Killebrew Park, hilary G. reports, "We chose a spot right under a street light so we had plenty of light after dark. There is a boat ramp, shore fishing and a fishing pier all right here."
Cost variations: Prices range from free at primitive sites to $60/night at some full-hookup locations. About Killebrew Park, hilary G. noted, "They will send someone down from the plant and its $5 out the door per night cash only. We were told it use to be free but they started charging to keep the trouble makers away."
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds in the area cannot be booked online. "You just pull in, pick a site and call the dam. You need to hit extension 3/damn operations/power plant or emergency assistance after 5pm," explains hilary G. about Killebrew Park's process.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. At Chehaw Park Campground, Mike E. mentioned, "Our 11 year old grandson enjoyed the large playground & splash pad. We didn't even go to the little zoo so no info there."
Animal attractions: Zoo facilities at Chehaw Park provide educational opportunities for children. "I camped at this park as a child and will always remember hearing the animals from the zoo in the middle of the night. The lions roaring and the monkeys howling isn't something that many campgrounds can offer," shares Chris C.
Water activities: Splash pads and swimming areas provide cooling options during hot months. Ashley L. noted about Chehaw Park, "They had lots to offer: bike trails, a huge wooden playground, a splash park, disk golf, a bmx bike track, an rc car track, a small zoo/animal conservatory."
Educational opportunities: Military museums and historical sites provide learning experiences throughout the region. The military museum at Georgia Veterans State Park offers displays of equipment and artifacts from various conflicts.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Georgia Veterans State Park, one reviewer noted specific site recommendations based on water proximity and cost differences.
Flooding awareness: The clay soil in this region drains poorly, creating potential issues for RVers after rainfall. At Chehaw Park, "The sites are no longer gravel, just dirt (or, this weekend, mud) and some grass," according to Sonyia W.
Bathhouse conditions: Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds in the area. At Americus KOA, reviews indicate, "The bathrooms are exceptionally clean! The tent sites have really nice raised tent platforms, with a picnic table and fire ring," according to Ryan.
Shared electrical setups: Some sites require sharing infrastructure with neighboring campers. The Travyl Couple reports about Chehaw Park, "Some spots are spacious like the pull thru but it appears everyone shares one electrical box with a neighbor. Pull thru sites are nice packed gravel/clay and a lot of the back in sites are grassy."
