Best Campgrounds near Clarkesville, GA

The Clarkesville area in northeast Georgia features several established campgrounds within a short drive of town, including Moccasin Creek State Park directly on Lake Burton and Tallulah Gorge State Park approximately 15 miles east. The region supports diverse camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV camping and cabin rentals. Black Rock Mountain State Park, situated at Georgia's highest elevation point, offers cooler temperatures and scenic mountain views about 20 miles northeast of Clarkesville. Lake Russell Recreation Area provides additional waterfront camping options with both tent and RV sites available seasonally from May through October.

Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer months and fall color season when tourism increases throughout north Georgia. Elevation changes significantly impact camping conditions, with higher elevation sites at Black Rock Mountain offering relief from summer heat but closing during winter months. Panther Creek Recreation Area provides more rustic camping with vault toilets and no hookups, while state parks like Moccasin Creek offer modern amenities including showers and electric sites. Cell service varies throughout the mountainous terrain, with coverage gaps common in more remote areas. One visitor noted that "the campground is secluded and quiet. So many stairs down to the gorge but worth it! The waterfalls are beautiful and the park staff are all very nice."

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with Lake Burton sites at Moccasin Creek State Park filling quickly during summer months. Campers frequently mention the proximity to hiking trails as a significant advantage, with Tallulah Gorge and Panther Creek Falls being popular destinations. Several visitors noted that campgrounds in the region tend to be relatively close together, with one camper commenting that "the camp sites are too close for our liking. It feels like everyone is in your business here." For those seeking more seclusion, primitive camping options can be found along trails like Raven Cliff Falls, where sites are described as being "right next to Dodd Creek so we had the peaceful sounds of running water to put us to sleep at night." The region's combination of mountain and lake access makes it popular for multi-activity trips including hiking, fishing, and water recreation.

Best Camping Sites Near Clarkesville, Georgia (487)

    1. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Tallulah Falls, GA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 754-7981

    $36 - $45 / night

    "You are in between Clayton and Clarkesville where there are good local places to eat. The campground is up the road a bit so you don't really hear the highway noise."

    "Tallulah Gorge is located in the far north east corner of Georgia. The campground is pretty tight, and difficult to maneuver with a large RV."

    2. Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    50 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 878-2201

    "The tent camp site was good, bathrooms and water were a close walking distance.
    We picked this state park for all the activities. We took archery lessons and did the zip line course."

    "Nestled in pristine North Georgia mountains. Good for single, family or even group campers. Close to a wonderful Bavarian town know as Helen Georgia."

    3. River Falls at the Gorge

    22 Reviews
    Lakemont, GA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 754-0292

    "Located right on the River in Lakemont GA. This campground is in a perfect location next to lots of trails, waterfalls and amenities. The campground itself has an indoor and outdoor pool."

    "Full hook ups in A section and then plenty more around the camp ground that offer all but sewage.
    1 video of the gorge which is really close by and a nice hike"

    4. Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground

    57 Reviews
    Rabun Gap, GA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 746-2141

    $20 - $255 / night

    "We chatted about travel and places to go not just her in Georgia but also around the United States."

    "The highest state park in Georgia has two general camping sections with power and water (and free cable if you're so inclined to hook up to watch TV)."

    5. Raven Cliff Falls

    28 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    16 miles
    Website

    "There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends. There is water and bathroom access."

    "Raven Cliff Falls is another popular spot in Northeast Georgia. Its on one one of the most scenic highways and s in a great location if you want to venture into Helen, Brasstown, Bald, or Hiawassee."

    6. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2628

    $30 - $290 / night

    "Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."

    "Vogel State Park is hands down one of the nicest parks in Georgia. It has great hiking trails for every level of hiker, and a very beautiful lake that's great for fishing and paddling."

    7. Don Carter State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Lula, GA
    19 miles
    +1 (678) 450-7726

    $25 - $375 / night

    "Situated at the far north end of Lake Lanier, this Georgia state park is awesome! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites!"

    "This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier.  It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area. "

    8. Lake Russell Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Mount Airy, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 778-8427

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Loop A is in walking distance to the beach area/day use area. It was so peaceful! There’s one bathroom in Loop A. With 2 stalls and one shower in the women’s portion."

    "It feels pretty secluded from the city because of the long drive in. Beautiful sites and plenty of trails nearby. My friend and I brought our hammocks and enjoyed a very peaceful weekend."

    9. Moccasin Creek State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Tiger, GA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 947-3194

    $40 - $45 / night

    "We stayed in site 5 which is close to bathrooms but not too close. We had a beautiful view of the lake and our site was right next to the river."

    "Its right next to the trout hatchery and Lake Burton so you have great access to recreation on the water."

    10. Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping

    9 Reviews
    Turnerville, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-6221

    $4 / night

    "Panther Creek Trail and I go back about 30 years. The campground is on the other side of 441 from the trail head."

    "It offers a 3.5 mile trail to Panther Creek falls and if you want to hike all the way through to Yonah dam it is roughly 5.8 miles. Be warned, the trail after the falls is challenging."

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Recent Reviews near Clarkesville, GA

1896 Reviews of 487 Clarkesville Campgrounds


  • George M.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Mulky Campground

    Great location for fishing

    A lot of the campsites are right on the water, so it's super easy to fish. But if you want something more private, there are also some secluded spots up the road.

  • Ethan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Tugaloo State Park Campground

    Extremely crowded

    This campground was not fully booked, yet most campsites were maxed out with people in each one so it felt extremely busy with lots of partying-like noise. Lots of vehicle/ golf cart/ sxs traffic throughout grounds and past our campsite at all hours. Only a few campsites offer a little bit of privacy, most have none. Lots of pictures that show waterfront property can be deceiving. Bathrooms were big and very clean, and all staff were friendly.

  • Jacquelyn I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Chattooga River Lodge and Campground

    Connect with nature

    This was my first stop traveling and my converted short bus. I have been here before so I felt super comfortable being here. But I have never can’t. I am at campsite six which is perfect for a smaller rig or take camping. It’s right along the creek and very private with a short walk to the bathhouse. Through a fun trail you can make it to the lodge. This campground is surrounded by many places to hike and scenic waterfalls. It’s a must stay. The owners Mat and Teresa are amazing.

  • A
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Margaritaville

    Best Campground Ever

    My wife and I went here for a week back in June 2025. I’ve been to many campgrounds in my day and I can say this one by far is the best. Clean campsites, fun amenities and great golf.

    We went to a Braves game one night since it is only an hour away and made may fond memories. I have already scheduled my week to go back again in 2026!

  • G F.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Overpriced

    Like some of the other privately managed Georgia state parks, our visit here was disappointing.

    The issues started at the welcome center. The RV parking area was full of cars, even though plenty of regular parking spots were open. When we mentioned it to staff, the response was dismissive — one employee told us, “that’s above my paygrade.”

    The restroom at the welcome center was also a low point. The toilets are stainless steel with no seats — the kind you’d expect to see in a jail — and designed so shallow that whether you sit or hover, you end up getting splashed. It’s an unpleasant and unsanitary setup.

    The campground itself felt neglected, with rotting picnic tables and a general lack of upkeep. It’s also isolated from the rest of the park — there isn’t even a connector trail from the camping area to a single hiking trail, which makes it feel cut off from the very amenities most people come for. At $60 a night, you’d expect at least a basic map of the trails and amenities, but instead you’re told to snap a photo of a cardboard display. That felt like corner-cutting.

    One memorable (and concerning) part of the stay was the bear activity. In September, several bears came through the campground, startling tent campers who had to retreat inside their cars for safety.

    All in all, while the natural setting of Amicalola Falls is beautiful, the way the park is managed left the overall experience underwhelming and, at times, frustrating.

  • austin C.
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Great camping as of September 2025

    Very nice area to camp saw multiple sites throughout the road. Weather got a little cooler at night but the stars were a beauty to see. managed to fit 3 tents and 2 hammocks at the campsite near 34°50'26.3"N 83°40'44.6"W Wood was a little wet as it had rained 2 days prior so might be worth bringing your own.

    Also worth it if you're into astrophotography as all of tray mountain sits within the few dark areas within north Georgia.

    Did not see any signs of large predators but did see lots of spent 12GA shells and other casings.

  • Casey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Great spot!

    The only reason I dinged it from five stars is because of the road noise. Other than that this place is beautiful! Great hike to a beautiful lake! Simple amenities. Great drive up tent spots surrounded by trees. Nobody else was here during the week so I had the place to myself! The rangers were incredibly helpful and friendly! I will be back!

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Mountain Rest Mountain Top

    Great campsite, you guys are pansies though

    great spot, can see the stars super clearly and its pretty much just open woodland once youre there.

    you dont need 4 wheel drive or a truck like some of these people are saying, i did it fine in my honda civic, just dont have anything with worse clearance than that, and be ready to get some branch scratches which is kinda expected for wood roads

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Gorges State Park Campground

    CAUTION: steep grades and curvy road

    This campground would’ve gotten five stars except for the road getting there was pretty exciting. The last 10 miles out of Brevard were curvy and had some grades. And the last 2 miles into the campground had I would guess a couple of 10% grades both up and down. Other than that, this campground was super nice. Has the nicest showers I have ever seen in a campground. All the sites for RVs are on concrete pads with electric, water, and sewer. This was a great staging point for our trip up to the great Smoky Mountains. The visitor center was very informative.


Guide to Clarkesville

Campgrounds near Clarkesville, Georgia range in elevation from 1,200 to nearly 3,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between locations even within short driving distances. The area's mixed hardwood forests provide seasonal shade for many camping areas, with summer temperatures typically 8-10 degrees cooler at higher elevation sites like Black Rock Mountain compared to lakefront campgrounds. The region's watershed feeds several lakes and creeks that offer distinct camping environments.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: Several campgrounds offer waterfall access within short hiking distances. At Tallulah Gorge State Park, visitors encounter stairs leading to scenic viewpoints. "A ton of waterfalls. A very pretty gorge, you will walk up and down lots of stairs! Stop by if you are in the area," notes Aaron S. The park features 1,099 stairs to reach the canyon bottom.

Fishing opportunities: Seasonal trout fishing remains popular throughout the area. Moccasin Creek State Park provides dedicated fishing areas for specific groups. "The fishing pier sits above a trout-filled creek open only to seniors 65 and older and children 11 and younger, and any Georgia residents with a disability fishing license," explains one camper. The park includes a trout hatchery station that helps maintain fish populations.

Mountain biking trails: Several area campgrounds maintain dedicated biking routes. At Unicoi State Park, visitors can access varied terrain options. "Mountain biking, hiking, zip lining, etc. Will definitely be returning in the future!" reports Rebeca A., highlighting the park's recreational diversity.

What campers like

Waterfront access: Many campgrounds offer direct lake or creek frontage. At River Falls at the Gorge, camping alongside the Tallulah River provides constant natural soundscapes. "What a spot. Right on the Tallulah river. Sleep to the sound of the river even in August. The valley is cool at night. The river warmer than you'd expect," describes Ron K.

Higher elevation cooling: During summer months, mountain campsites provide natural temperature relief. Black Rock Mountain State Park sits at Georgia's highest state park elevation. "Even though it was scorching out. We went two days not realizing it. We had lovely breezes and tree coverage," writes Elaine G. about the park's primitive camping area.

Geocaching opportunities: Several campgrounds maintain geocache locations for visitors. Lake Russell Recreation Area features multiple caches along its trail system. "We took an overnight backpacking trip here. The hiking trails are nice and there is a nice lake at the parking lot," notes Nicole P. about her geocaching experience in the region.

What you should know

Site spacing considerations: Campgrounds vary significantly in how close sites are positioned. "Vogel State Park is usually crowded and books quickly. Sites are VERY close together. No privacy at all," explains Maggie C., suggesting alternatives for those seeking more seclusion.

Seasonal closures: Higher elevation campgrounds typically close during winter months. Black Rock Mountain State Park operates from March 16 to December 17, while Moccasin Creek State Park runs from March 16 to November 30.

Bear activity: The area supports black bear populations 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 one camper at Raven Cliff Falls.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly fishing programs: Several parks offer specialized fishing opportunities for children. "This campground is very kid friendly. They have a stream they stock with trout for kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and older. This park is a great place to allow kids to get into fishing and feel like they have accomplished something," explains Joshua G. about Moccasin Creek State Park.

Accessible activities for varied ages: Parks often provide options for different age groups. "We took our 19, 11, and 4 year old. Tested the trails and enjoyed plenty of scenic views," reports Robert R. about his family's Tallulah Gorge State Park experience.

Equipment rentals for water activities: Don Carter State Park offers equipment for enjoying Lake Lanier. "There's even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean," explains Kevan R., highlighting water-based recreation options for families.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds feature uneven terrain. "The sites have a firepit, picnic bench - and table, and a lantern pole. Some of the sites were not very private and more open without shade. We were in number 15 and it was in our opinion the best one," advises Katrin M. about Black Rock Mountain sites.

Sewer hookup placement: At some campgrounds, hookup positioning can create challenges. "Our site was beautiful on River but our sewer hook up was not where we could access it so only had water/electric," notes Cassondra P. about River Falls at the Gorge, suggesting campers check hookup locations before selecting sites.

Limited space for larger rigs: Mountain terrain restricts site sizes at some campgrounds. "Staff is awesome. Any trailer longer than 25 feet is tight getting to back sites," cautions Ted D. about Black Rock Mountain, highlighting the importance of checking length restrictions before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping sites near Clarkesville, GA?

The Clarkesville area offers excellent tent camping options. Raven Cliff Falls provides gorgeous free camping with established sites, water access, and bathroom facilities, though it gets very busy on weekends. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground is another popular spot, though it books quickly due to its proximity to the spectacular gorge. For tent campers seeking more primitive experiences, Lake Russell Recreation Area near Mt. Airy offers walk-in sites with a more secluded feel. All these options provide beautiful natural settings typical of northeast Georgia's mountain terrain.

What outdoor activities and attractions are available when camping near Clarkesville, GA?

The Clarkesville region is rich with outdoor activities. At Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground, you can enjoy extensive hiking trails with spectacular mountain views. Water enthusiasts will love Don Carter State Park Campground on Lake Lanier for swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. The area also offers mountain biking trails, whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River, fishing in mountain streams, and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions include the Alpine village of Helen, vineyards along the Georgia Wine Highway, and the natural beauty of Panther Creek Falls. In autumn, the region transforms with vibrant fall foliage, making it a perfect time for scenic drives and photography.

How far are the nearest camping sites from downtown Clarkesville, GA?

Several excellent camping options are located within a short drive from downtown Clarkesville. Moccasin Creek State Park Campground is approximately 15 miles northeast, offering sites with convenient bath house access. For those willing to drive a bit further, Tugaloo State Park Campground is roughly 25 miles east of Clarkesville, providing spacious campsites with plenty of trees and access to Lake Hartwell. Even closer options include Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping at about 10 miles away and private options like Nacoochee Adventures near Helen, approximately 18 miles from downtown Clarkesville.