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Best Dispersed Camping near Cartersville, GA

15 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping areas surround Cartersville within Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas and national forest lands. Hidden Creek Campground features primitive sites accessible via dirt roads with significant potholes that require vehicles with decent clearance. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area in the Cohutta Wilderness offers a large sloped field with established fire rings near trailheads for Emery Creek and Tearbritches Trails. Both locations provide no amenities, though Ball Field sits about a mile from Lake Conasauga where facilities can be used for a $5 fee.

Blue Hole Dispersed Camping in Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA requires a land pass and prohibits alcohol. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground allows both tent and RV camping with access to the creek, though campers report "these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around." Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain WMA provides camping with good hiking access but requires vehicles with ground clearance to reach. Most sites throughout the region feature fire rings but no water, toilets, or other facilities. As one camper noted about Ball Field, it offers "remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains" making it ideal for stargazing on moonless summer nights.

Map showing campgrounds near Cartersville, GeorgiaExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Cartersville, Georgia (6)

    1. Hidden Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Calhoun, GA
    27 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."

    2. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    47 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"

    3. Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    5 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 210-2914

    "Road is pretty well maintained, spots are good size, some only large enough for tent/car camping. We were never bothered and it’s right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail."

    "If you like dispersed camping you'll probably enjoy it. If you prefer a campground, this is not for you."

    4. SongBird Trail Camp (Cohutta WMA)

    1 Review
    Crandall, GA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 695-6736

    5. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Cherry Log, GA
    47 miles
    Website

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

    6. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
    47 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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Cartersville, GA

22 Photos of 6 Cartersville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cartersville, GA

15 Reviews of 6 Cartersville Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Michael M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Good dispersed camping at the blue hole

    It has a blue hole an caves no electricity or running water but the camp sites are pretty good. An the do have a handicap access area for rvs to do disperse camping also an parking for the bluehole ...no one to bother you!

  • 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.

  • Ava R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Great FREE spot!

    We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21’ pop up camper with our generator. Road is pretty well maintained, spots are good size, some only large enough for tent/car camping. We were never bothered and it’s right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail.

  • Robyn W.
    Jun. 1, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very Decent Primitive Spot

    Overall we enjoyed this stay! 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. We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF DEEP POTHOLES. The road then opens up to a four way, we kept going straight, followed the road down and then came to three sites all empty. It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes. Our truck is pretty high and 4x4 so wasn’t too bad for us but a low car may not fair as well. We were there on a Friday

Guide to Cartersville

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Cartersville, Georgia, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll enjoy the tranquility and adventure that comes with camping in the wild.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Cartersville, Georgia

Enjoying nature while free camping near Cartersville

Dispersed campers should check out Blue Hole for a unique experience

  • Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA is a wildlife management area that offers a tranquil setting for those who appreciate nature's beauty.
  • This area is perfect for those who enjoy dispersed camping, as it features only a couple of sites with tables and no reservations required, allowing for a spontaneous getaway.
  • Keep in mind that alcohol is not permitted at Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA, making it a peaceful retreat for families and nature enthusiasts alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cartersville, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cartersville, GA is Hidden Creek Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Cartersville, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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