Within an hour's drive of Braselton, Georgia, camping options range from mountainside retreats to lakefront sites with concrete pads. The area sits at the southern foothills of the Appalachians with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet, creating distinctive camping microclimates. Lake Lanier campsites near Braselton remain particularly popular, with most Corps of Engineers sites operating on seasonal schedules.
What to Do
Hiking trails: Fort Yargo State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for day hiking. "We loved the hiking. Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views," notes a visitor at Fort Yargo State Park Campground.
Disc golf course: Fort Yargo features an established disc golf course popular with campers. The park also includes "putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking, and a 260-acre lake offers swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing," according to a reviewer.
Waterfront activities: Bald Ridge Creek provides direct lake access for water recreation. "We have stayed here several times now and love it. Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed. We like to kayak to islands, collect rocks and take lots of pictures," shares one camper.
Beach swimming: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas with beaches. "We had a great time summer camping with our boat, RV, friends & kids! Would definitely recommend booking early and getting one of the lots that slopes down to the water," reports a visitor at Shoal Creek Campground.
What Campers Like
Lake views: Old Federal campground receives high marks for its Lake Lanier vistas. One camper notes, "Beautifully maintained, large sites and breathtaking views. Close to area attractions, shopping and restaurants. The most outstanding sunsets you will ever see."
Privacy between sites: Don Carter State Park provides good separation between camping areas. "Spacious Campground on Lake Lanier. 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," mentions a reviewer at Don Carter State Park Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds. "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere. A new check in station with a store that's really really nice. Mountain bike trails and hiking trails inside park," shares a visitor at Fort Yargo State Park.
Boat access: Many campsites allow boats to dock directly at or near campsites. At Duckett Mill, "Almost all the campsites are on the water, tho the water is not easily accessible from the sites. The views are fabulous. There's a boat landing."
What You Should Know
Alcohol restrictions: Some campgrounds strictly enforce no-alcohol policies. At Shady Grove Campground, "They definitely don't want alcohol in the park. My friends said someone came by and told them to make sure they don't have alcohol earlier that day but I never saw one park ranger the whole time we were there."
Varying lake access: While many sites advertise lakefront locations, actual water access can vary significantly. "Almost all the campsites have the best lake views and you can do pretty much anything on the lake! Great place for the whole family!" notes a visitor at Bolding Mill, though other reviewers mention challenging access points.
Seasonal operation: Most Lake Lanier campgrounds close during winter months. Bald Ridge Creek operates "mid Mar-mid Nov," while Duckett Mill runs "March 29 to September 15."
Site terrain: Many lakefront sites feature significant elevation changes. At Shoal Creek, a camper notes, "I would not recommend a few of these sites if you have trouble walking around without assistance. There are some inclines without adequate steps or hand holds."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playgrounds: Stone Mountain Park Campground offers extensive child-friendly amenities. "There's all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too," mentions a camper.
Beach areas: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming beaches for safer water play. At Bald Ridge Creek, "Beach is nice for the kids. Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal."
Walk-in sites: For families seeking more seclusion, Fort Yargo offers walk-in options. "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," shares a camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer excellent nature watching for children. "We had an amazing visit!! All the staff were extremely helpful and sweet. Shower house was clean, laser show fabulous and while hiking we saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!" reports a Stone Mountain visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: River Forks Park & Campground presents challenges for larger rigs. A reviewer notes, "Many sites have precarious/dangerous sloping driveways for RVs to get into. Newly installed sites are near completion but they make sites very close together."
Hookup configurations: RVers should check hookup locations before booking. At River Forks, "Some have hookups on the opposite side of camper. No sewer connection but park does have a dump station."
Heat considerations: Asphalt pads can intensify summer temperatures. At Don Carter State Park, a camper warns, "Now, 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."
Pull-through availability: Many campgrounds offer limited pull-through sites that book quickly. At Fort Yargo, "The roads are a little hilly and twisting but if you have a big rig and go slow you will be fine. All the campsite driveways are angled so backing in is pretty easy."
