Dispersed camping opportunities near Cartersville, Georgia provide access to rugged wilderness within multiple Wildlife Management Areas and national forest lands. Many sites require vehicles with adequate ground clearance to navigate unpaved forest roads. The terrain features a mix of mountain slopes and creek-side locations at varying elevations, with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F and winter lows around 30-40°F.
What to do
Stargazing at high elevation: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area sits at the base of Bald Mountain at 4,005 feet elevation, creating exceptional night sky viewing. "I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way. Go here on a new moon night in the summer and you're sure to have a great night of uninterrupted beauty," notes Tyler J.
Hiking nearby trails: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area serves as a hub for multiple trails. "There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River," shares Roy B. The Emery Creek Trail and Tearbritches Trail both have trailheads directly from the camping area.
Creek exploration and swimming: The Blue Hole at Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA features a natural swimming area and caves. "The spring looked amazing," mentions Richard C., though he notes the campground can fill up quickly. Jones Creek offers gentle water features appropriate for families. "This river is amazing, low current makes it easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit," reports Billie P.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Many dispersed sites near Cartersville offer privacy from other campers. "We went out and found this place and setup our campsite very nice secluded and away from people very few people out here," writes Patrick R. about Hidden Creek Campground.
Peace and wildlife: The natural setting provides a calm environment for nature observation. "This area will speak for itself once you arrive. It's very peaceful and calming, beautiful hikes, pretty nature, and great memories! I've been here every year since I was 16 and I will continue to return," shares John B. about SongBird Trail Camp in the Cohutta WMA.
Free camping access: Nearly all dispersed sites in the region are free to use. "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," writes Ava R. about Blue Hole Dispersed, noting they "were never bothered" during their stay.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many access roads have challenging conditions. "We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF 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," advises Robyn W. about Hidden Creek Campground. Similarly, at Mountain Side Overlook, "4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some," according to The M.
Permit requirements: Some areas require special permits or have specific regulations. At Blue Hole Dispersed Camping, "Land pass required. No alcohol is permitted. This is a wildlife management area," notes Sarah H.
Site conditions: Many sites show signs of heavy use. "These sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns in the distance," reports Billie P. about Jones Creek Dispersed Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Navigation challenges: GPS directions can be unreliable in these remote areas. "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," warns Robyn W. about Hidden Creek. At Ball Field, Roy B. provides exact coordinates: "34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321" to help locate the site.
Leveling equipment: Prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. "The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van," advises Steve V. about Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in these wilderness areas. "Watch out for bears," warns Gabrielle D. about camping near Ball Field. Roy B. elaborates: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some areas can accommodate RVs despite being primitive. "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21' pop up camper with our generator. Spots are good size, some only large enough for tent/car camping," shares Ava R. about Blue Hole Dispersed.
Facility access: While most sites lack amenities, some nearby options exist. "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," notes Steve V. about camping at SongBird Trail Camp.
Connectivity considerations: Cell service is minimal in most areas. "The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar or no cell," reports Roy B. about the Ball Field area, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected.
