Best Campgrounds near Cleveland, GA

The mountainous terrain surrounding Cleveland, Georgia supports diverse camping experiences within the Chattahoochee National Forest and nearby state parks. Jenny's Creek Family Campground, located directly in Cleveland, offers tent and RV sites with full hookups, while Desoto Falls Recreation Area provides more rustic options with basic amenities. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access highly-rated destinations like Unicoi State Park near Helen, featuring cabins and glamping options alongside traditional campsites, and Vogel State Park in Blairsville, consistently rated among Georgia's top camping destinations. Raven Cliff Falls, situated along scenic Highway 348, provides free primitive camping with established sites along Dodd Creek.

Camping regulations and conditions vary significantly across the region's public and private lands. Summer humidity and afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through August, with temperatures cooling considerably at higher elevations. As one camper noted at Raven Cliff Falls, "It is very high traffic on weekends. There are two sides of the camp: the camp side and the trail side." Many state park campgrounds require reservations through Reserve America, particularly during fall color season when visitation peaks. Bear activity occurs throughout the area, requiring proper food storage. The region's red clay soil can become slippery after rainfall, affecting trail conditions and potentially limiting access to more remote camping areas.

Water features prominently enhance many camping experiences in the Cleveland area. Creekside sites at locations like Raven Cliff Falls provide natural soundscapes, with one visitor describing how "the creek will lull you to sleep every night." Several campgrounds offer lake access, including Don Carter State Park on Lake Lanier where "sites are about 35 yards from the shore." Site spacing varies considerably between locations, with some campers noting that certain parks have sites "right on top of each other," while others feature more secluded options. Proximity to waterfalls represents another regional highlight, with Desoto Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, and Amicalola Falls (Georgia's tallest at 730 feet) all offering nearby camping. The area's combination of mountain views, water features, and forest settings creates distinctive camping environments throughout the year.

Best Camping Sites Near Cleveland, Georgia (530)

    1. Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    50 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    9 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."

    2. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    15 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."

    3. Raven Cliff Falls

    28 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    8 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."

    4. Don Carter State Park Campground

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

    $25 - $225 / 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. "

    5. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground

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

    $36 - $45 / night

    "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."

    "It’s perfectly situated to visit all the cute towns in northern Georgia and they have well maintained sites, hiking trails, and a swim beach not far."

    6. Jenny's Creek Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Cleveland, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 865-6955

    "This is close to Helen where there is lots to do. Lots of wineries to visit and downtown Cleveland is some nice restaurants and an awesome creamery."

    "We would highly recommend for anyone camping in the Cleveland/Helen area."

    7. Desoto Falls Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-6928

    $20 - $40 / night

    "This area of Georgia is chock full of great places to hike and explore."

    "We kept hearing this phrase from people out on the trails, it’s so worth it. Mildly tough trek, with stairs on the short path, but the end result is worth the struggle for the amateur hiker."

    8. Yonah Mountain Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cleveland, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 865-6546

    "The campgrounds propane prices are the cheapest around. I have ATT and my service was terrible. but that is not the campgrounds fault."

    9. Trackrock Campground & Cabins

    22 Reviews
    Blairsville, GA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2420

    "Great campground surrounded by the beauty of the North Georgia mountains. Also a working horse farm so be sure and schedule a guided horseback ride. Full hookup sites that are private."

    "Good sized campground tucked into the mountains. I brought my dog with me and had a great time. There is a lake that you can fish in, stables to ride horses, and hiking trails on the campground."

    10. Enota Mountain Retreat

    19 Reviews
    Hiawassee, GA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 896-9966

    $55 / night

    "We stayed at the adult tent site 74 which is really close to one of the waterfalls."

    "The spot we were in was really close to the store and had a nice deck with a picnic table."

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Recent Reviews near Cleveland, GA

1694 Reviews of 530 Cleveland Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    Best off grid camping

    This is by far my favorite place we’ve been off grid camping. It’s more Jeep friendly than full size vehicles, to get a spot down by the creek. But it is possible to get a full size 4*4 truck down the switch back.

  • Doug S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Persimmon Creek RV Park

    Beautiful Little Camp Ground

    Persimmon Creek is a beautiful and peaceful place. The owner is very friendly and helpful. It is centrally located to some great attractions.

  • SnakeEyes C.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Under The Hemlock Campground and Cabins

    Not what you think

    Great place for a one night visit DONT stay any longer than that! Your pets will go missing, the showers don’t work and are nasty! The owner Mike is only nice if you are there for one night. He has multiple people living there. There is a bear family that will destroy all of your belongings. There is NOTHING to do there no pools, no hiking, no visitors are allowed, nowhere to fish, LOUD chickens and a very LOUD annoying barking dog that is never on a leash, if you rent a cabin there is NO RUNNING WATER, it’s overpriced, there is ONLY a microwave. Your best bet is to go to Amicalola State Park

  • Cassondra P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    River Falls at the Gorge

    Not a $96 a night Campground

    We have traveled all across the country and are willing to pay for premium sites when we get our moneys worth with site and campground. This campground feels like it was nice at one time but really starting to show its age and wear. Our site was beautiful on River but our sewer hook up was not where we could access it so only had water/electric. Staff was not very friendly, I had asked about moving and they weren’t having it. The laundry room only had 2 working machines. The pool was cloudy and not very clean. The showers I could make eye contact with the neighbor.

    If this was a 40-50 a night campground I would have different expectations.


Guide to Cleveland

Dispersed camping opportunities near Cleveland, Georgia center around the Chattahoochee National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,600 to 4,700 feet. The northern Georgia mountains experience average summer daytime temperatures of 75-85°F, with cooler nights dropping into the 60s. Camping areas like Raven Cliff Falls offer primitive sites alongside creeks where "water is no problem with the entire trail being directly on a solid flowing stream."

What to do

Horseback riding excursions: At Trackrock Campground, equestrian facilities provide guided trail rides. "My husband loved that there were many mountain bike trails nearby as well as hiking trails. I also got to enjoy a lovely horseback ride on Chubby Checker with Sonya...that was the highlight of the trip for me," notes one visitor.

Trampoline and playground access: Some campgrounds offer kid-friendly activities beyond traditional camping. "The trampolines were cool," mentions one camper at Enota Mountain Retreat, where multiple waterfalls are located on the property and "there is no cell service," creating a technology-free environment.

Rock scrambling at waterfalls: Explore beyond the marked trails at multiple waterfall sites. At Raven Cliff Falls, "once you arrive at the falls there's plenty of room to roam the dozens of rock structures. This is one you'll definitely want to bring your camera with," explains a camper who hiked the 2.5-mile trail.

Lakeside activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas and boat access. "We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and it's just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept," notes a visitor to Don Carter State Park.

What campers like

Creek-side camping sites: The sound of running water enhances the camping experience at multiple locations. At Raven Cliff Falls, "pretty much all campgrounds are within a stone's throw of the creek, which will lull you to sleep every night." Another camper noted they "enjoyed being able to set up my tent right next to the stream" at Enota Mountain Retreat.

Historic park features: Some parks preserve CCC history. At Vogel State Park, "one of F.D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps masterworks so important to this park's existence that they have a museum on site describing in great detail the transformation of this particular valley."

Unplugged experiences: Areas with limited connectivity appeal to many campers. "This is my go to campsite. River near most of the campsites and a waterfall to boot. Great place to unplug and reset your body," shares one visitor about Raven Cliff Falls.

Easy waterfall access: Multiple camping areas offer waterfall views with minimal hiking required. At Desoto Falls Recreation Area, "there is a lovely 1/4 mile hike to the waterfall and not too bad even for me who is disabled. The other is 3/4 mile and I know my limitations."

What you should know

Bear activity precautions: Bears frequently visit campsites in the area. "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 Raven Cliff Falls.

Road noise impacts: Highway proximity affects some otherwise peaceful sites. At Desoto Falls, "the sound of the river is nice to fall asleep to until the sound of the traffic drowns it out. The campsite is very close to the main road." Another visitor noted "loud road noise especially motorcycles!"

Site spacing variations: Campground layouts differ significantly in privacy levels. At Unicoi State Park, "campgrounds are kind of tight but the lake offers swimming, boating, and zip lining." Conversely, at Desoto Falls, "Site 23 is perfect if you're looking for a huge, private, creekside site."

Weekend crowds: Popular areas experience significant visitation spikes. "It is very high traffic on the weekends," notes a camper about Raven Cliff Falls. Another mentions "we went tent camping over the Halloween weekend, it was cold and rainy, which meant fewer campers" at Jenny's Creek, suggesting off-season or weekday visits offer more solitude.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. Jenny's Creek Family Campground offers "a nice playground on site as well as an air conditioned club house that provides a nice break from the heat. They also have firewood and ice on site which is really convenient."

Multiple activity options: The best family sites offer diverse experiences. At Unicoi State Park, "my kids and I went camping in the summer and there is plenty to keep them busy. They played in the creek, on the swing set and walked the trail to the swimming section of the lake."

Nearby swimming areas: Water access ranks high for family camping enjoyment. At Don Carter State Park, "there is also a beach for the kids to play at" while Vogel State Park features "a man made lake and paddle boats and canoes for rent, a miniature golf course, and a creek that runs through the campground that seemed the biggest attraction for a great many of the kids."

Covered pavilion access: Weather protection enhances group camping. "There was a nice covered pavilion by us," notes a Trackrock visitor, while at Unicoi, "we held a family reunion here last year and the pavilion was perfect with a playground and bathrooms."

Tips from RVers

Site levelness challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven sites. At Yonah Mountain Campground, "the site we were on was full hook up and level but a lot of the sites were very slanted. Also we had to unhook our electric cord to be able to use the sewer."

RV size limitations: Large rigs face access issues at certain campgrounds. A fifth wheel owner at Trackrock warns of "steep and unlevel roads; especially when leaving" and recommends avoiding certain sites with larger rigs.

Campground amenities: Facilities vary significantly between locations. Trackrock offers "full hookup and wifi" while Don Carter features "grey tank connection at the sites" but has been criticized because "every campsite needed to be asphalt... they classify them as RV sites, but they are parking lots."

Mountain navigation challenges: Steep grades and tight turns complicate RV travel. "Being nervous about parking and getting set up," one Trackrock visitor with a 38-foot Class A noted the staff "helped us get a spot that was easy to pull into," highlighting the importance of calling ahead for site recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Cleveland, GA for RV camping?

Don Carter State Park Campground is exceptional for RV camping near Cleveland, offering spacious sites with considerable distance between neighbors. Located at the northern end of Lake Lanier, it provides clean facilities and lakeside spots about 35 yards from the shore. Another excellent option is Trackrock Campground & Cabins near Blairsville, which is big-rig friendly with full hookups. For RVers seeking a more rustic experience, Doll Mountain Campground on Carter's Lake offers beautiful waterfront sites, though be prepared for steep hills and switchbacks when entering the campground. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak seasons.

What camping options are available near Cleveland, Georgia for weekend trips?

Cleveland, Georgia offers several excellent camping options for weekend getaways. Raven Cliff Falls provides a gorgeous free camping experience with established campgrounds, water access, and bathroom facilities. Be aware it gets very busy on weekends. For those seeking a more remote experience, Nacoochee Adventures offers private sites near Helen with the peaceful sound of a nearby creek. Other options include Desoto Falls Recreation Area for drive-in camping and Yonah Mountain Campground with both drive-in and walk-in access. The area's natural beauty and proximity to hiking trails make Cleveland an ideal weekend camping destination in the North Georgia mountains.

How far is Cleveland, GA from popular destinations like Blue Ridge and Ellijay?

Cleveland, GA is approximately 30 miles (about a 45-minute drive) from Blue Ridge and about 25 miles (around 35 minutes) from Ellijay. These mountain towns are easily accessible for day trips while camping in the Cleveland area. From Cleveland, you can visit Doll Mountain Campground near Ellijay, which sits on a peninsula stretching into Carter's Lake. For those exploring further, Black Rock Mountain State Park Campground is about an hour from Cleveland and offers excellent hiking trails with spectacular mountain views. The relatively short distances between these mountain destinations make Cleveland an ideal base for exploring North Georgia's scenic beauty.