Camping sites near Columbus, Georgia offer diverse options on both sides of the Chattahoochee River. The region sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level with moderate elevation changes throughout surrounding parks. Water activities dominate recreational options at most campgrounds, which typically maintain cooler temperatures under dense tree cover even during Georgia's hot summer months.
What to do
Boat rentals and fishing: Florence Marina State Park Campground provides affordable boat rentals for exploring Lake Walter F. George. "We rented a boat my husband fished and we drove around the lake. You can have a AL. or GA fishing license here the lake runs through both states. Lots of blooming Lilly's, big oaks with moss, shorebirds and gators," notes one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Kings Pond at Fort Benning maintains a naturalized camping area with designated tent pads. The area attracts numerous wildlife species despite proximity to military training areas. Deer sightings are common throughout the region's campgrounds, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Water activities: Most campgrounds in the Columbus area center around water access, whether lake or river. At Blanton Creek Campground, the no-wake zone near camping areas creates ideal conditions for paddling. One visitor noted, "We had lake front site #6. Had our kayak and small fishing boat at site shore. Our golden retrievers loved being at the water."
Military history: Fort Benning's presence influences the region with occasional aircraft flyovers. At Military Park Fort Benning Uchee Creek Army Campground and Marina, visitors can observe military training activities from a distance. "If you're into C130s flying over due to being in close proximity to the US Army Airborne School, this is the place for you," wrote one camper.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The campgrounds in this region typically offer generous spacing between sites. A visitor to Bluff Creek Campground appreciated that "sites are spacious with space between sites. Lots of trees with Spanish Moss. Very pretty. Good fishing from boat or shore."
Clean facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain high standards for bathroom facilities. One camper at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground reported, "The bathrooms are all spotless and each area has a camp host constantly cleaning."
Natural surroundings: The dense tree cover provides ample shade at most sites. A reviewer noted about Providence Canyon State Park Campground: "There are many sites to choose from and there are plenty of things to do in the area. This park is great for hikers -- lots of great trails. I went with my three kids and we all had a blast."
Lake access: Waterfront sites remain the most requested option across all area campgrounds. At Blanton Creek Park, "sites are very large with good space between them. Most are shaded, level, gravel with picnic tables, large fire ring, lots of space for chairs."
What you should know
Time zone changes: The Chattahoochee River separates Eastern and Central time zones. "We would go watch sunset at the lake funny our phones read AL. time not GA time," noted one Florence Marina State Park visitor. This can affect cell phone time displays and scheduled activities.
Military restrictions: Some camping facilities have access limitations. Uchee Creek Army Campground requires military credentials. "Only downside is that you have to be military, or be with someone who is military, to get in," explains one visitor.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds. At Lake Pines RV Park, a camper reported: "Mostly RV's but two different open fields for tent-hammock camping. Potable water, small store and pool on the grounds. Quite campground."
Industrial presence: Paper mills operate near some campgrounds. At Bluff Creek Campground, "there is a noticeable noise and smell generated by the facility. If you are expecting a dark sky for stargazing, this is also affected by the mill's lighting."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Camp David RV Resort, "Beautiful paved path leading to dog park, playground, golf course and river walk. Recommend screen shelter as there is no shade and it can get hot and buggy."
Kid-friendly activities: Franklin D Roosevelt State Park offers organized activities for children. One parent shared: "My four kids and I had a blast at FDR state park. They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing."
Site selection: Families benefit from sites near amenities but away from water hazards. A visitor to Uchee Creek noted, "Our site (213 and 214) beautiful wooded site lots of space between sites in this loop. Very short walk to lake. Loop 1 sites are lake front and lake view but more close together than we like."
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have wildlife warnings. "There are signs posted to watch for gators," mentions a Florence Marina visitor. Sites closer to bathrooms provide better monitoring of children after dark.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature mixed terrain requiring leveling equipment. At Camp David RV Resort, "large gravel on road and sites making leveling difficult. Sites are fairly close together but better than some."
Hookup variations: Full-hookup availability varies by campground. Florence Marina State Park surprised one RVer: "Stayed on a long pull-through site #9. Full hook-ups was a nice surprise. Sites are spacious, campground was full and it didn't feel crowded."
Dump station access: On busy weekends, plan for potential delays. A Bluff Creek visitor observed, "There is one dump station with only one lane, on Sunday afternoon the line was backed up as expected with a full campground."
Site selection for large rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. At Blanton Creek Campground, "Small rigs can pretty much enjoy any spot but larger rigs need to be sure that the site is level for the length of the rig. Some spots have a driveway that goes downhill from the camper and others go uphill from the camper which might be an issue for 5th wheels."
