Camping near Ellijay, Georgia spans developed campgrounds to primitive sites in the North Georgia mountains, with options for RV hookups, tent camping, and cabin accommodations. Doll Mountain Campground, located on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake, provides both RV and tent camping with many sites featuring lake views. Fort Mountain State Park Campground, situated between Chatsworth and Ellijay, offers a higher-elevation camping experience with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. The region includes several Army Corps of Engineers facilities with boat-in access, while Three Forks Campground provides more primitive camping along creeks in the surrounding national forest lands.
Camping availability peaks from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Doll Mountain operates from early April to late October, while Fort Mountain State Park remains open year-round. The mountain terrain creates significant temperature variations, with Fort Mountain's higher elevation providing cooler temperatures even during Georgia's summer heat. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at Fort Mountain where visitors report very limited connectivity. Roads leading to campgrounds often feature steep grades and switchbacks, especially notable at Doll Mountain where the entrance road includes challenging hills. A camper noted, "Beware upon entering from the main road -- there are steep hills and switchbacks leading into and through the campground."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Ellijay area, with sites overlooking Carter's Lake being particularly popular. While some lakefront sites allow direct water access, others are positioned on ridges or cliffs overlooking the water. Several visitors mentioned the privacy of wooded sites as a key benefit, with Fort Mountain's campsites described as "private wooded campsites" that make "tent camping in Georgia's summer heat much more enjoyable." Bear activity has been reported in multiple campgrounds, requiring proper food storage. The region's proximity to apple orchards and wineries provides additional attractions, with one reviewer mentioning "Ellijay Apple Barn isn't far from the campsite" as a recommended stop. Campgrounds closer to town offer convenience while more remote options provide greater seclusion and wilderness experience.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$14 - $55 / night
"Its usually a good bit cooler due to the elevation, and the private wooded campsites make tent camping in Georgia’s summer heat much more enjoyable. Good hiking and things to do nearby."
"There's nice trails in the park one around the lake & one to a small waterfall across the street. There is no cell service."
"It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."
"If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be."
$26 - $100 / night
"Doll Mountain Campground near Ellijay, Georgia is located on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake, and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. "
"We loved our time in Ellijay and this camping spot was amazing. It was right on the lake, surrounded by trees so you had a nice private area to yourself."
$20 - $42 / night
"Easy access sites but some are close together with lots of trees on beautiful Carters Lake in the north Georgia mountains."
"Site 29 is on the peninsula, near the end. It is caddy corner from the beach swimming area and very close walking distance. You cannot see the site from the beach area or vice versa."
"Note, most sites will not offer beach style walk in access to the lake due to the park being higher in elevation with more cliff like edges down towards the lake surrounding it."
"We had 3 couples who spent the long weekend for 4th of July (2016) on two sites in the walk-in tent camping area."
$30 - $50 / night
"We went during the Ellijay apple festival, so they were busy, but the campground was great! Great view of the lake and staff is so helpful and nice!"
"Upon driving up, you see the office and the big lake behind it and it’s breathtaking. There’s a little beach to swim in or go fishing, etc."
$95 - $130 / night
"The cement pad was plenty long enough to position the rig for the sewer connection at the back of the pad, while still allowing us to put the patio down and park our F450 fully on the site."
"The top level also has the swimming pool and hot tub area next to the clubhouse, with the plan for this to be the adult pool area once they complete the second pool on the middle level."
$30 - $50 / night
"We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice! Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "
"Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."
$30 - $60 / night
"It was hard to find a place that allowed 1 night that still had reservations but based on positive feedback on the Georgia RV FB group I found this place."
"Very close to the highway, but quite and well maintained."
"All of the sites are situated along a creek, and a fair distance from each other (most sites you drive between) and off the road."
"Campground Review: Let me begin by specifying that there are two different Three Forks areas in Northh Georgia. One is on the Appalachian Trail and One is near Clayton, Georgia."
ScoutVery cute campsite with walkable trail, dog park, games, ponds, and more. Super friendly and responsive staff. Comfortable RV spots with plenty of space, picnic tables & fire pits. Water/electrical/sewage are available. Close enough to Chattanooga.
TravelerI stayed at the walk- in campsites with waterfront view and access to walk down to the water. There is no electric at site and water didn’t work. The bathroom facilities are well maintained and whole place is really clean. This site was right next to parking other 3 are close but wagon recommended to haul items to other walk on sites.
TravelerVery nice camp grounds 12 bucks a night got to love that
ScoutGorgeous campground on the lake with excellent facilities. Priority along the lake front is given to tent sites, which is nice. There's a mix of sizes for small campers and big RVs so it never feels crowded. Not a huge amount to do in the area except chill on the lake or at your site in the woods... which is fine by me. The one shortcoming was difficult lake access from the campground. There are plenty of beach areas when the lake is low but getting to them can be challenging. There's a public beach in another part of the park but we didn't go there.
TravelerVogel has always been one of our favorites. We have camped here for more than 50 years. Vogel has been around for over 95 years and the state has done a really good job maintaining and improving the park. They have redone most of the sites within the last several years. Because the campground is so old, the roads can be narrow and the sites a challenge for the giant rigs that have become popular today. There is a new visitor center with great views of the lake. During our April 2026 visit, the lake was completely drained for maintenance on the dam.
Vogel is one of the few campgrounds where you can actually camp under a dense canopy of old trees. If you want to escape the campgrounds that feel like you are parked in a Walmart parking lot, give Vogel a try.
GuideQuaint/quiet and tranquil spot. Right on the Ocoee River. Packed during the weekends with pretty right spots but it’s an awesome setting with less traffic during the week. A lot of mountain bikers and whitewater enthusiasts.
LegendSpectacular scenery. The campground has two loops, both with nicely spaced out sites. We liked the creekside loop, but lakeside looked very nice as well. The lake is small but cold and clear, probably spring fed. The playground is average and they have a mini golf course that's cool. The camp store is excellent, though a drive from the campground. Also a short drive (or 3 mile hike) away is the star of the show- the overlook, tower and rock wall. Unbelievable views and great rocks to scramble and play on. The history of the mysterious rock Wall is intriguing. A great place to spend a few hours. The trails are numerous and well marked. We didn't see any bears or snakes. Overall a great place.
ScoutDecent spots, only thing is the Grill is part of the campfire ring and not separate
TravelerMultiple creekside spots for large groups. We have over 12 adults and 8-9 cars. No cell service. Dog friendly.
Camping opportunities near Ellijay, Georgia range from primitive riverside sites to full-service RV resorts, with elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 feet across the region. The area sits at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains where multiple rivers converge, creating diverse waterways for recreation. Weather patterns can shift rapidly during spring and fall, with temperature differences of 15-20 degrees between valley campgrounds and those at higher elevations.
Waterfall hiking: Access Long Creek Falls via a 2.5 mile hike from Three Forks Campground. The trail follows the Appalachian Trail corridor with moderate elevation changes. "Short 2.5 mile hike to Long Creek Falls off the AT. Three forks is only 1.4 miles away. Camped for three nights," reports one camper.
Lake activities: Explore Carters Lake from Woodring Campground. The campground offers direct access to swimming, fishing, and paddling on Georgia's deepest lake. "Carters Lake is a great deep lake, clean and private. Bring your kayaks cause y'all wanna explore the lake plenty of little swimming holes," advises a visitor.
Historic exploration: Discover CCC structures at Fort Mountain. Stone steps, overlooks, and the fire tower showcase 1930s craftsmanship. "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 a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Bear sightings are common at several campsites near Ellijay. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though. The views here? Amazing. Camping? Amazing!" reports a Fort Mountain State Park Campground visitor.
Privacy: Wooded sites with separation from neighbors. "The sites are wooded and well spaced out. Boat ramp and trailer parking onsite," notes a Doll Mountain Campground camper. Sites are generally spread apart with natural barriers between them.
Fishing opportunities: Year-round access to trout streams and lake fishing. "Three trout streams, waterfalls, the AT. Only accessible by hiking or the unpaved forest service road," explains a Three Forks camper. Several campgrounds offer fishing options within walking distance of campsites.
Road conditions: Steep grades on campground access roads require caution, especially for RVs. Several campgrounds feature challenging entrance roads with tight curves and significant elevation changes. "Roads leading to campgrounds are extremely steep getting to the campground," notes an Amicalola Falls State Park Camping visitor.
Seasonal operations: Limited winter availability for facilities and services. Many campgrounds close between November and April, while others operate with reduced amenities during colder months. "It was January and basically had the place to ourselves," reports a winter visitor.
Food storage: Bear-proof containers required at most campgrounds. "Be sure to pack up ALL trash, food and water before sleeping or leaving camp. There are bears that like to rummage through your stuff looking for food," warns a Three Forks camper. Some campgrounds provide shared bear boxes at platform sites.
Platform camping: Squirrel's Nests at Fort Mountain offer unique elevated camping experiences. "We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites. 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 Diamond Lure Campground visitor.
Water features: Beaches and splash pads available at select locations. "There's a little beach to swim in or go fishing, etc. There are gorgeous, peaceful walking trails that are decorated really well!" notes a Diamond Lure camper. Swimming areas provide controlled environments for younger children.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "They have a nice sized dog park, playground, seasonal concession and rentals, beach area and a super nice walking trail for everybody," explains a Fort Mountain visitor. Playground availability varies by season.
Site selection: Request end spaces for more room and privacy. "We were on a very nice end site with plenty of yard space where our rally friends gathered for evening fires. The back-ins in front of our site were a little tricky to get into but doable," advises a Talona Ridge RV Resort visitor.
Leveling challenges: Bring additional blocks for significant slope compensation at some sites. "The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," notes a Fort Mountain camper about specific sites.
Utility placement: Position varies by campground and may require extension cords or hoses. "The utilities are at the middle of the pad so you can adjust according to your needs. The water pressure was good at around 50 psi," explains a Talona Ridge visitor. Some campgrounds feature older hookup configurations requiring adaptors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tent camping available in Ellijay, Georgia?
Tent camping is widely available in the Ellijay area with several excellent options. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area offers a more primitive experience in a relatively remote setting for the eastern U.S., making it perfect for tent campers seeking solitude in all four seasons. For tent campers wanting access to a beautiful lake, Doll Mountain offers dedicated walk-in tent camping areas with nearby non-flush toilets and bath houses a short drive away. The sites are set among trees providing privacy, and the location on Carter's Lake allows for excellent water activities. Both locations offer the natural beauty of North Georgia's mountains with varying levels of amenities.
What RV rental options are available in Ellijay, GA?
While Ellijay doesn't have many dedicated RV rental businesses within town limits, several options exist nearby. Talona Ridge RV Resort in East Ellijay offers RV accommodations with full hookups and resort amenities. For those bringing their own RVs, Diamond Lure Campground provides excellent RV facilities with beautiful lake views and helpful staff. The campground is particularly popular during the Ellijay Apple Festival. Many visitors to the area also rent RVs from dealers in larger nearby cities like Atlanta or Chattanooga and drive them to Ellijay. Online rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy connect local RV owners with renters, offering various RV types that can be delivered to your chosen Ellijay campground.
What camping sites in Ellijay offer the best amenities?
For campers seeking top amenities near Ellijay, 411 River Rest Campground offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Raven Cliff Falls provides a free camping experience with water and bathroom access, though it experiences high traffic on weekends due to its popularity. The campground is divided into two areas - a camp side and a trail side. For those wanting a complete camping experience with resort-style amenities, several private campgrounds in the area offer full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, swimming pools, camp stores, and organized activities. The best amenity-rich options typically require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons like fall when visitors flock to Ellijay for apple picking and leaf viewing.
Where are the best campgrounds near Ellijay, GA?
The Ellijay area offers several outstanding campgrounds. Doll Mountain Campground is situated on a peninsula extending into Carter's Lake, providing beautiful waterfront sites and privacy among the trees. The campground features well-maintained facilities, though be prepared for steep hills and switchbacks upon entry. For those seeking a state park experience, Fort Mountain State Park Campground offers cooler temperatures due to its elevation, private wooded campsites, and excellent hiking trails. The park is located between Chatsworth and Ellijay with scenic mountain views. Both locations provide water and electric hookups at most sites and are known for their natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
Keep Exploring
