Best Equestrian Camping near Cartersville, GA

If you’re looking for amazing scenery, this is not the place. It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers. Meant we could spend most of the climbing, rather than making a long approach. My group went for several days over thanksgiving 2018, and the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nights turned a bit chilly, so make sure to pack layers if camping in the fall or winter season. I think you’re technically supposed to have a Georgia outdoors permit to stay here (which we did), but we did not encounter a single ranger during our six-day stay. Check the Rocktown forum on Mountain Project for up-to-date info on permit requirements.

The road leading up to the campsite is extremely rough and washed out. We were in a Subaru Outback, and it was a very slow-going, bumpy ride — we bottomed out several times.

You can pretty much set up camp anywhere there’s open ground. Plenty of trees around for hammock camping as well. My group of 10 people had no problem finding open areas to set up camp together. There are several man-made fire pits, and plenty of wood and brush lying around to scavenge for fire-making. There are no water hookups, so make sure to pack plenty of water with you. There is also an area at the campground for equestrian camping, though we didn’t check that out, as, alas, none of us had horses.

Heard about this place from a co-worker and I was not disappointed.

Check in is easy, either call and leave a deposit or drive up and pay. They let you peruse the sites before paying which was nice.

Hosts stop by to introduce themselves and how to contact them if needs arise.

Everything is well maintained from the roads, campsites, unpaved trails, and bathrooms. I was impressed with how clean everything was despite being a campground.

Trails are great for running or just nice stroll, and there is a small lake onsite that could be used to fish with convenient benches around it.

The only downside would be that the campground is close to a highway, so occasionally there will be loud subs or burnouts, but not to the point that I’d remove a star.

Overall great experience and will be camping here frequently.

This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available.

There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean.

There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box.

Lastly, the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep. Our 2WD (front wheel drive) Honda Passport struggled to get back up it on our way out, and we had to hit the steepest part with some speed to make it out.

We saw a van/bus dweller there, but just know what you're getting into.