Camping cabins near Chickamauga, Georgia offer overnight options within 30-45 minutes of the historic battlefield area. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet, this region experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F. The area's terrain features limestone formations and hardwood forests, creating natural barriers between many campgrounds.
What to Do
Explore cave systems: Raccoon Mountain Caverns offers guided cave tours that require advance reservations. As one visitor notes, "Crystal Cave was right on site and we enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.)" The same camper adds they "also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!"
Hiking at Cloudland Canyon: The park features multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. One camper explains, "If you like scenery Cloudland Canyon State Park should be added to your list of must hikes. I found an info card at the Visitors Center for the 'Canyon Climbers Club' and it was a no brainer that I would go for it. 4 Georgia Parks, 4 hikes with awesome scenery, 4924 steps, all in approximately 3 miles-ish, and a T-shirt when your done."
Water recreation: Marion County Park provides direct water access with boat launches and swimming areas. A reviewer mentions, "We put our boat in here and spend the weekends on the river," while another notes the "swimming, soccer, baseball, boating, disc golf, para course all right here."
What Campers Like
Private tent areas: The walk-in sites at Cloudland Canyon State Park offer solitude not found at RV-focused facilities. A camper shares, "Love the tent-only serenity of the walk-in sites. There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away (easy to haul your gear). The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other."
Seasonal activities: Different times of year offer unique experiences at DeSoto State Park Campground. A local explains, "I've lived here most of my life and each season offers something different. Summertime you can swim, Spring has full waterfalls and beautiful flowers, Fall has colorful leaves, and the winter gives just enough bare trees and icsicles for great pictures."
Local amenities: Several campgrounds provide on-site conveniences. At Raccoon Mountain, a camper noted "Nice staff, we got there after they closed but someone still met us and helped us find our spot. Nice bath house, laundry house, swimming pool, and dog park."
What You Should Know
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. At Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA, campers with tents should know "they do have a some designated tent-only sites that are on their own leg of the road, and spaced out to provide some privacy--site D in particular had more of a feel of a private campground to it."
Weather considerations: The region can experience significant rainfall, affecting campsite conditions. A Holiday Travel Park visitor warned, "Major drainage problem. Would most likely stay again, but would ask for a site with no standing water."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between properties. At Chester Frost Park, one camper mentioned "Bath houses need work done," while Battlefield Campground received praise: "The restrooms were exceptionally clean! The bathhouse located in the pavilion was very nice."
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground, a visitor mentioned "The kids loved the pool and jumping pillow," while another noted "We enjoyed our stay at Raccoon Mountain. Sites were a good size. Not right on top of each other. The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer structured activities for children. DeSoto State Park provides "scout activities, a Junior Ranger program, playgrounds, swimming pools, and plenty of trails to hike."
Space for activities: Some campgrounds provide open areas where kids can play. The KOA has "a massive jumping pad" that impressed one visitor who "had to promise my kids we would take an overnight trip here just so they could use it!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking cabin rentals, consider the location within the campground. At Battlefield Campground & RV Park, "Most of the sites here are nicely wooded, and as the area is slightly hilly there are elevation changes between several rows of sites which allows for a little more privacy than many RV parks offer."
Access considerations: Some areas have challenging roads. At Lookout Mountain KOA, a visitor noted "A little bit of a drive from the Interstate, but still close enough for just one overnight stay" while another mentioned "The last couple of miles had me a little worried w/my big rig but it went very well. The road is nicely paved and the trees are cut back. No major curves or turns. Plenty of room."
Local deliveries: Several campgrounds work with local vendors. At Cloudland Canyon, "We saw a sign for wood delivery and called Mac. He was very accommodating, delivered wood within a couple of hours to us in the parking lot," while another camper mentioned "We do recommend trying the local Mr. T's Pizza & Ice Cream. It was great & they deliver right to your site!"
