Dispersed camping options in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests extend beyond the popular Raven Cliff Falls and Dicks Creek Falls areas to numerous other locations throughout the 867,000-acre forest system. The forest spans elevations from 700 to 4,784 feet across north Georgia, creating distinct camping environments from lower creek bottoms to higher mountain settings. Primitive campsites typically require visitors to bring all necessary supplies, as most areas lack basic facilities such as potable water or restrooms.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: The 5-mile round trip trail to Raven Cliff Falls provides access to multiple cascades and camping opportunities. "The trail has some great views and different terrain from small creek crossings to some steep hills and valleys," notes one visitor who appreciated the changing landscape along the route.
Fish mountain streams: Smithgall Woods Conservation Area offers designated trout fishing areas in clear, cold mountain streams. "These grounds are nice and the fishing is even better," mentions one camper who visited the 5,664-acre conservation area near Helen.
Explore by motorcycle: The winding mountain roads provide excellent touring opportunities with Two Wheels of Suchess serving as a motorcycle-focused base camp. "TWO has a great location at the convergence of many great roads... The property is well planned and maintained," writes one rider who appreciated the central location for accessing regional routes.
Access Appalachian Trail: Multiple forest campsites connect to the AT, allowing for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips. "We camped here in June with a group of our close friends... Our spot was about a quarter mile from the parking area which has public restrooms available," reports one visitor about their experience setting up a basecamp for trail access.
What campers like
Creek-side tent spots: At Dicks Creek Falls, campers appreciate the proximity to water. "We backtracked a bit to a site along the stream with ample space for at least two or three tents. It was along the road and there were a few cars driving past during the night but not enough to bother us," explains one camper who found a quieter alternative to the main falls area.
Mountaintop views: Blood Mountain offers panoramic vistas with primitive camping near the summit. "We didn't stay in the shelter and instead set up our tent near an overlook nearby. Perfect place for sunrise and sunset," shares one backpacker who preferred tent camping to the shelter option.
Rustic shelters: Appalachian Trail shelters provide basic overnight protection. "This shelter is a two-room rock shelter at the top of blood mountain. Just behind the shelter is a great spot for a nice view and milestone photo," notes a hiker documenting the historic structure.
Privacy between sites: Many forest campsites feature natural spacing between tents. "I've camped at this location multiple times and each time was better than the last. It feels like a very primitive spot with the ease of car camping," explains a repeat visitor to the forest's dispersed camping areas.
What you should know
Bear safety: Black bears inhabit the forest, requiring proper food storage. "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out. So pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag," warns a camper at Blood Mountain Shelter.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. "No day trailer parking. Dukes Creek is a destination for several fishing enthusiasts," explains a visitor to one of the more developed areas, highlighting the contrast with most primitive sites.
Road conditions: Forest roads can become impassable after rain. "The mud holes are deeper than they look and road is rugged with huge rocks," cautions a visitor who couldn't reach their intended destination due to poor road conditions.
Weather fluctuations: Mountain elevations cause temperature variations. "I would recommend triple checking the temperatures because it is a bit high in elevation and can cause some pretty drastic fluctuations if you're not ready," advises a camper about preparing for overnight conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Alternative lodging options: Nacoochee Adventures offers unique accommodations near Helen. "We stayed in the creek tree house and to our surprise, they gave us an off road golf cart with our treehouse to transport our stuff up the mountain to our site," shares a family who found this more developed option suitable for children.
Combine with nearby attractions: Plan day trips to nearby Helen or local historic sites. "From there you can either walk or bike the Helen to Hardman Trail to Helen and skip the ridiculous tourist traffic," suggests a parent who found ways to incorporate cultural activities with their camping trip.
Select campsites with bathroom access: Some areas offer basic restroom facilities. "The campground was beautiful with fire pits and some even had grills to use over the fire... There are bathrooms, no showers, and a water pump," notes a camper about one of the more family-friendly forest service campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most forest service roads aren't suitable for larger vehicles. "We stayed in the parking lot in our small rig. (Under 26 ft) we had our super quiet generator running and had no issues," explains a visitor to Woody Gap Campground who found a creative solution for overnight RV parking.
Day-use alternatives: Consider using developed campgrounds as a base for exploring the forest. "You can pay as you go or wait for the total as you leave. You are far enough in the sticks but also close to whatever you need from down the road," suggests an RVer who appreciated the flexibility of a developed campground with nearby forest access.
