6 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Primitive tent camping surrounds the Cisco, Georgia region in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area and Cherokee National Forest, offering both established and dispersed options for tent campers seeking backcountry experiences. Hickey Gap campground provides free primitive tent sites alongside a creek with picnic tables and a vault toilet, while the Big Frog Area and Hickory Creek Trail offer more remote backcountry tent camping opportunities. Lost Creek in the Cherokee National Forest features dispersed tent camping with basic amenities including vault toilets and trash receptacles.
Tent sites throughout the region typically consist of cleared dirt or forest floor surfaces with minimal improvements. Many locations require driving on gravel forest service roads, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles or creek crossings to access. A visitor commented, "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." Most established tent campgrounds provide fire rings and pit toilets, but campers should bring their own drinking water, as most sites lack this amenity. Bear activity is common throughout the area, with bear-resistant food storage boxes available at some locations like Hickey Gap.
Creekside locations form the majority of tent camping options in this mountainous region. A recent review noted, "This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all." Many backcountry tent sites offer direct access to swimming holes, fishing spots, and hiking trails, making them ideal basecamps for outdoor activities. The mountainous terrain provides scenic camping with waterfalls within hiking distance of some sites. Tent campers will find the most remote and secluded options by hiking into the Cohutta Wilderness or Big Frog area, where primitive tent campsites exist along trails. Fall camping offers cooler temperatures and reduced bug activity compared to summer months when insects can be abundant near creeks and water sources.
"Hickey Gap is located in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area in Georgia. The area is beautiful, undeveloped terrain, and the campground was surprisingly clean and well maintained."
"Nice flat tent pads. Trees for enos/hammoks. Remote area that isn’t not very traveled. Shaded by tree cover."
"We stayed in the Tent camping area recently."
"There are picnic tables and fire rings at every site but they recently removed the trash cans due to a racoon problem. There is a large central dumpster available though."
Available next weekend
"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."
"Very nice CG with picnic tables, pit toilet and trash can. I saw 3 copper heads at the creek."
"The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN."
"Very nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays."
Available next weekend
"Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."
"About 1.5-2 mi in at the intersection of Rough Creek trail and Big Frog I saw a grassy patch with a fire ring and set up camp."
"Disclaimer: Did not camp here On my hike up Big Frog trail this weekend I came across this great site."
"It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"
"We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."
"There were plenty of trees for hammocks and a few flat spots for small tents. A small creek flows through the site for easy water access (but I was told that it doesn’t flow all year)."
"The overlooks are absolutely astounding from the Cool Springs Overlook, which is easily accessible to anyone even the disabled. The overlook on the trail to the wall and tower is equally amazing."
from $12 / night
"this cam ground grat for tents only ,you can drive up with your vehicle but when it rains you might need to have 4x4, otherwise spacious wooded 10 acres land with like 16 Camp sites,, Super easy to book"
from $20 - $30 / night
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
ScoutA great find to hang your hat for the evening. New owners look like they are doing amazing up grades. Our site 57 didn’t have a picnic table or fire ring but I’m sure they are working on it. Fairly quite and we would for sure come back and give it a 5 star when their done on the remodel.
GuideParksville Lake RV Campground is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic stay here. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the sites are nice, spacious, and wonderfully shaded by the trees. We loved the layout of the RV loop, especially the outer section where a peaceful creek flows right past the sites—the sound of the water at night was perfect. The restrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-kept. I had Starlink connectivity at my site and my WeBoost cell signal booster gave me up to three bars on AT&T. The campground host was incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. It's a wonderful, relaxing spot, and I will definitely be back!
ScoutI was worried that I would arrive and find all the campsites occupied. This was not the case. When I got there around 5:30 there was only one other site taken. I didn’t see them until the next morning. By morning, there were two other sites occupied.
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
TravelerHard to find, really busy but most of them were hikers let left at nightfall.
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
ScoutFort Mountain SP offers some great adventures for the outdoorsman. Hiking and Biking are the mainstays. The overlooks are absolutely astounding from the Cool Springs Overlook, which is easily accessible to anyone even the disabled. The overlook on the trail to the wall and tower is equally amazing. The campground is electric and water only, no fhu. All spots are gravel and fairly level. The bathhouses are older and could use updating . We have zero T-Mobile service at the campground, but it works well in other areas of the park. We have Starlink for our 5th Wheel but the heavy tree canopy in our site made it sketchy. The staff is very friendly.
TravelerNice place but you gotta have a land pass or a hunting or fishing license to camp here. Access is easy to get in here. AT&T signal is good so this is very doable except it’s not free. To camp here for three days cost me 20 bucks.
Dispersed camping near Cisco, Georgia includes sites throughout the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area and Cherokee National Forest, with elevation ranging from 1,200 to 4,200 feet. Most camping options are found in mountainous terrain with dense forest cover and rapid weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. The region receives approximately 60 inches of annual rainfall, creating numerous creek-side camping opportunities.
Waterfall hikes: Visitors at Hickey Gap Campground can access a large waterfall approximately one mile down the trail. "There's a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek," notes camper Julia B., who recommends bringing "a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes."
Swimming holes: Creek access is a major feature at many tent campsites near Cisco. At Lost Creek Campground, the adjacent creek offers natural swimming areas. One camper reports, "The highlight would definitely be the creek. There are spots that you can swim around in."
Whitewater activities: The Ocoee River, 20 minutes from most Cisco-area camping, offers class III-V rapids. According to one visitor at Outdoor Adventure Rafting Campground, "This is a great spot if you either want to go rafting for a weekend or spend the day tubing the lower Ocoee and have a campground all ready for you."
Sunrise views: Several backcountry campsites offer sunrise viewing points. At Fort Mountain State Park Backcountry, site #4 provides special sunset access. "The best part of site #4 is that it's about 0.2 miles from a beautiful west facing overlook where I enjoyed the sunset," shares one camper.
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, some sites maintain well-kept facilities. At Chilhowee Campground, a camper noted, "Our site was clean, shaded and level. We had plenty of space for our 6 x 12 converted cargo trailer camper and Outback, a pop up screen house for the dogs, and could have easily fit a tent or canopy as well."
Creek sounds: Many campsites near Cisco feature the natural white noise of flowing water. At Creekside Camp, the primitive sites sit directly beside a creek. One camper describes them as "Flat campsites next to a very nice creek," though notes there are "No picnic tables or pit toilets."
Road conditions: Forest service roads to camping areas can be challenging. One camper at Big Frog Area advises, "It's all uphill from Big Frog Trailhead to the summit though so be prepared with plenty of water."
Water sources: Most primitive camping areas lack reliable water. A hiker passing through Big Frog noted a campsite had "Very limited water sources nearby (some trickles on Big Frog north)," making it essential to pack in water.
Wildlife considerations: Snakes are common in summer and fall. One camper at Hickey Gap reported, "I saw 3 copper heads at the creek," requiring awareness when walking near water sources.
Cell service: Most camping locations have no cellular coverage. At Lost Creek, campers report "no Verizon cell reception," making it necessary to download maps and coordinates before arrival.
Accessibility concerns: Families with small children should consider whether remote sites match their needs. At Hickory Creek Trail Backcountry Campground, one camper reported: "We lost the trail several times and ended up doing a 1 night hike in then hike out the same way we came in the next day."
Seasonal planning: Late summer brings intense bug activity at creek-side sites. A visitor to Hickory Creek Trail noted, "We were hiking in the area in late summer hoping to do a 3 day/2 night loop... What we got was an overgrown buggy trail that wound through the woods."
Swimming options: Children enjoy the natural water features at many sites. Lost Creek Campground features "direct access to the creek" with a camper noting each site has "a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek."
Small trailer access: Most forest roads accommodate small trailers but require planning. At Chilhowee Group Camp, a camper with a "6 x 12 converted cargo trailer camper" found the site "clean, shaded and level" with enough room for their setup plus additional gear.
Road gradient challenges: Small RVs may struggle with steep forest roads. Lost Creek requires navigating "Gravel 7 miles to here" and a camper notes "I could see them being bad after a heavy storm."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cisco, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cisco, GA is Hickey Gap with a 4.4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cisco, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 77 tent camping locations near Cisco, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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