Top Free Dispersed Camping near Cherry Log, GA

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Cherry Log, GA (36)

Showing results 1-10 of 36 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Cherry Log

59 Reviews of 36 Cherry Log Campgrounds


  • Darwin R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Grave Gap Campsite
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    ADV Bike Motocamping

    If you’re anywhere near Helen, GA on an ADV Bike, this summit is for you. There are three routes up the mountain so you never have to double back. There are more primitive sites at the top of the mountain (not where the Dyrt pin was dropped) on both sides of the fork. Suitable for tents and hammocks. There is one site that would support a large group or even a camper (or two) if you can get them up the steep rocky hunting trail. Sites were mostly clean with rock fire pits.

  • Gillian S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Grave Gap Campsite
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    Good for Big Groups

    Three campsites in the immediate area. Two are on one side of the road. You have to cross thru one to get to the other. All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge. We decided to spread out but that meant having to do a lot of walking back and forth for stuff. You can pull your car into the site easily. It’s about a mile from the High Shoals Trailhead. Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole. The closest town is Hiawasee. Had a grocery and an outfitters if you need supplies. There’s only two sit down restaurants—one had an hour wait; the other had run out of food.

  • Robyn W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    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

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Panther Top Dispersed Site
    May. 17, 2024

    Panther Top Dispersed Site

    Amazing spot with GREAT views

    I had 3 bars of AT&T which worked well. The view from the shore was amazing and in my opinion comparable to some spots in Hawaii. It was nice and quiet, chilly at night, and not too far from murphy. We also hiked up to a nearby fire tower and it was a fun little hike. 10/10 will be returning.

    (I just got a new drone and I made a fun little video of the campsite and the hike we did.)

  • h
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jones Creek Dispersed Campground
    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.

  • amanda R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great site!

    This was such a nice quiet campground. We arrived around 8am and got the first campsite we saw. This is the most established dispersed campsite that I’ve stayed at as it has a fire circle, a grill and a picnic table. It’s very quiet and very few cars passed. There’s a walking/hiking trail across the lake where we saw some hikers and some people on horseback. The site was very clean minus a few pieces of trash that we later picked up. The dogs loved it because our site was right on the lake. We drove down the gravel road to check out the other campsites and they all seem great if you’re tent camping! We car camped and our campsite was perfect because it had a parking space right in front of it whereas the other sites had parking spaces across the road. Overall a great place. I can’t wait to go back!

  • Robert N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Panther Top Dispersed Site
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Panther Top Dispersed Site

    Panther Top Dispersed

    Great spot right on the little lake. You can hear the gun range from the Camp Spot, but it is barely noticeable. There are two main spots right on the lake that are set up for tent camping. My overland rig fit in the small parking area fine, but I had to find a few rocks to level my truck so the rooftop tent was level. It is obviously a spot that locals come to party on the weekends but I had no issues. There looks like there are only 2 primary camping spots with fire rings and tent pads. My spot had a picnic table and two tent pads, a pole for your lantern and was just feet from the lake. Lots of fish jumping and I caught a 1 pound large mouth bass on a silver spinning lure. Over all a great spot. No bugs, but you will likely need to bring firewood, as all of the fallen trees had been scavenged. Since there are only two spot, definitely have a backup plan, especially on the weekends.

  • Steve K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Field test truck camping

    First site(L1)was open so I took it. I spent two nights there. First time dispersed camping in National Forest and truck camping. Even though I've been camping my whole life, all my equipment was new so it was a learning experience. 😁 Parking was pretty level, but behind my rear wheels it declined toward the lake. The tent pad, picnic table and fire ring was on level ground. It was really quiet during the day, but there were some very loud frogs(?) during the night, enough to wake you up. 2nd night I played music and I slept good. Lol If your GPS says that you have reached your destination, you probably have passed the gravel road. Once on gravel road, veer to the right and you will pass the cemetery on your left, then you'll see kiosk. Sign shows you have to register there at the kiosk. I enjoyed my time there and hopefully can go back again this year. Hope y'all are enjoying the great outdoors. LIV'N!

  • Ethan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Jan. 16, 2023

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Nice camping ground but closed

    This is a good camping ground especially if you get the one right off the lake. When we arrived the campground was closed for vehicles. So we walk in a took around. Great spots right of the lake. They say it won't open till April. There is a another campsite less than 4 miles up the road you can camp at, but over all good area. Any vehicle can get to location its bumpy bit that's bc its half gravel half dirt. Keeeepp exploring the wilderness must be explored. Ps. Clean up after yourself

  • Andy K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeetlah
    Jan. 2, 2023

    Lake Santeetlah

    Lakeside site with good view

    Nice lakeside side with good lake views. Park next to site. Toilet facility available, site next to marina on north side. Cellphone service with Verizon ok 1or 2 bars.

  • Andy K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeetlah
    Jan. 2, 2023

    Lake Santeetlah

    Nice sites with good views of the lake

    Stayed at the site next to the marina on the North side. Lake sudd access and can park next to the site. Also has a toilet facility. Cell phone service with Verizon was 1 to 2 bars. Sometimes good others not so.

  • Gabrielle D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Group camping

    First location was Hickey Gap, we got there around 1 on a Friday and it was full so we headed to the primitive group camping site. Gravel road, lots of rocks included, and dust but if your not worried about your car do it! We had an suv but I saw a handful of sedans that made it up. We got to the group site at 1:20 or so and there was only one person at first but slowly people start trickling in. We stayed 2 nights but a lot of people stayed for 1. The look out driving up is awesome and the lake it gorgeous. Watch out for bears.

  • Asher K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground G
    Sep. 30, 2022

    Goforth Creek Campground G

    Backup option

    This is an ok option if there are no other sites available. It is just a cleared-out area near the trail but doesn’t have an established fire pit. The only nice feature is that it is further up the trail and more private as well as has easy access to water.

  • Brent L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sourwood Campground
    Jul. 22, 2022

    Sourwood Campground

    Great little spot

    Great area to camp. Only complaints are having to spend an hour picking up others trash that they left. Also reverify your directions. Google maps brought me to a spot 30 miles away

  • Steve V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Creek Primitive Camping Area
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • Steve V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    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.

  • Crosby M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Santeetlah
    Dec. 15, 2021

    Lake Santeetlah

    Great and free

    We got a spot right on the lake. It was nice and quiet. The view was great for watching the sunset. I think there was a pit toilet but we didn’t check it out. We only spent one night here but it was great. I totally recommend this and I’d definitely go back, hopefully for longer next time.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Nov. 14, 2021

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Hidden in plain view

    Had a great time here. Easy to miss but right off the main road. Google Maps shows it just before the actual location (turn at the cemetery sign, and go past the cemetery). Spaced far apart but doesn't feel like you are completely isolated. Will be coming back for sure.

  • Roy B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    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.

  • Roy B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    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

  • Darrin C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
    Sep. 24, 2021

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    No vacancy! Sorta

    Very beautiful place but slim pickings on the open spots. We found site 2 empty the only site not on the lake. Seems like people setup tents to hold sites and don’t return for days it was the week before Labor Day so maybe I’ll have better luck next time



Guide to Cherry Log

Camping near Cherry Log, Georgia, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful landscapes and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning, "The park is very clean and well maintained... Several trails and waterfalls, for example the AT, are nearby" at Vogel State Park Campground.
  • Fishing and Boating: Enjoy the serene waters at Doll Mountain Campground, where one visitor said, "The lake is beautiful! There are so many mountain bike trails within 20-45 mins from this location."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Fort Mountain State Park Campground noted, "Bears were active in the area," adding an exciting element to your stay.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained amenities. One reviewer at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping mentioned, "The campground was neat, clean, and quiet."
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy of the campsites. A visitor at Chilhowee Recreation Area shared, "Large private sites throughout... The F loop is very quiet during the week."
  • Friendly Staff: Campground hosts often receive praise for their hospitality. A camper at Thunder Rock Campground said, "Friendly camp host that regularly checks the grounds and bathrooms."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell reception. A camper at Gee Creek Campground noted, "The nearest town is about 15 minutes down the hill but has everything," indicating that you might want to plan ahead.
  • Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A visitor at Vogel State Park Campground mentioned, "Roads are smooth but narrow in some places," so drive carefully.
  • Weather Variability: Be ready for changing weather conditions. A camper at Raven Cliff Falls advised, "If you arrive in the dark while it’s pouring rain, the campsites are located in a few places," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. A family at Gee Creek Campground enjoyed, "The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk."
  • Spacious Campsites: Choose sites that offer room for kids to play. A reviewer at Doll Mountain Campground mentioned, "The sites are private and not on top of each other, which is nice."
  • Plan for Rain: Bring extra gear for wet weather. A camper at Chilhowee Recreation Area noted, "The roads are narrow, but in good repair," which can help during rainy days.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campsite. A visitor at Fort Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "There are really nice bathhouses located in each loop," which can be a plus for RVers.
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly on weekends. A camper at Thunder Rock Campground advised, "Make reservations online as it fills up on the weekends."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Some campgrounds do not sell firewood. A camper at Chilhowee Recreation Area noted, "There’s no camp store and no firewood, so bring your own if you plan on making a campfire."

Camping near Cherry Log, Georgia, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cherry Log, GA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cherry Log, GA is Lost Creek - Cherokee NF with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cherry Log, GA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 36 dispersed camping locations near Cherry Log, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.