Near Commerce, Georgia, campground elevation varies from 1,050 to 1,850 feet above sea level, with most sites positioned along the shores of Lake Lanier or Lake Hartwell. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions between 50-75°F. Primitive tent sites at several parks require quarter-mile walks from parking areas to reach secluded waterfront locations.
What to do
Hiking at Tallulah Gorge: The park features a challenging staircase descent (1,099 steps) to reach the canyon floor and gorge crossings. "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 one visitor at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground.
Canoe trails: Don Carter State Park offers designated water routes for paddlers. "A great place to camp with lots of hiking trails; there's even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean," reports a camper who gave the park a 5-star rating.
Mountain biking: Fort Yargo maintains extensive trail networks shared by hikers and cyclists. A visitor mentioned, "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere. Mountain bike trails and hiking trails inside park. When I have more time we plan to go back and take it all in."
Boating access: Many sites at Tugaloo State Park Campground offer direct water entry. "We stayed at site 7 which is a pull through. We had camper and extra car with boat and kayak and fit with a little extra room. Able to kayak right from campsite," shares one reviewer about this Lake Hartwell location.
What campers like
Waterfront privacy: Shady Grove Campground features sites with personal beach areas. "We had a site (#51) which was nice with a beautiful view over the lake. The site had a nice big area with fire pit, picnic table, grill and room for a big tent. It also had a paved area down below where you can set up chairs with a great view of the water."
Wildlife viewing: Many glamping sites near Commerce offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Deer were grazing in the primitive camp zones. I walked one of the trails and then headed over to explore the lake area," notes a camper at Don Carter State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Georgia RV Park (formerly Country Boys) receives high marks for maintenance. "Clean pet friendly park with very nice, helpful and funny staff. New sod in between the large gravel sites. Bigger park than I expected," one visitor observed.
Walkable amenities: Several parks cluster facilities within easy reach. "The campground was pretty centralized to all the action at the facility with trails leading to the visitor center, a beach, tennis courts and trails," explains a Tallulah Gorge visitor.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many regional campgrounds require equipment for setup. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling. But it was totally worth it. Our site was on the lake," noted a camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground.
Alcohol restrictions: Some parks strictly enforce no-alcohol policies. "Nice campground. If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. We were not making noise, nobody complained about us. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets."
Primitive site access: Walk-in areas offer more seclusion but require planning. "The test sights are amazing, bring a cart because it's a 1/4 mile walk, the sights are super clean and easy access," advised a tent camper at Don Carter.
Limited services: Not all campgrounds offer complete hookups. "No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground. The staff was helpful. Our site was very level, and pull through," explained a Fort Yargo visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: The lake access points vary widely in quality. "I was so pleased by the facility which had a nice sandy beach, outdoor showers, large restrooms and swings ideal for sitting and enjoying a meal by the lake," reports a camper about River Forks Park & Campground.
Kid-friendly sites: Some locations offer dedicated family amenities. "We go camping every memorial day weekend and this year it was at Don Carter. Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it! Wonderful campground!"
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love," notes a Shady Grove visitor.
Educational programs: Rangers often host special activities. "We went to a ranger program on raptors on Saturday which was interesting," shares a Don Carter visitor, though they rated the park only 2 stars due to excessive pavement.
Tips from RVers
Site selection caution: Not all designated RV areas accommodate larger rigs. "Our campsite was a tad bit small for our camper, large campers like motorhomes or fifth-wheels will not fit," warns a Don Carter visitor who otherwise enjoyed their stay.
Grey water solutions: Several parks provide alternatives to full sewer hookups. "Water, power and cable at the sites with grey water dumps very numerous," explains a Unicoi State Park & Lodge camper about this glamping option near Commerce.
Pull-through accessibility: Some sites appear to be pull-through but have limitations. "Lower numbered sites(less than 30) appear somewhat better. Empty camp ground host site behind 47 cannot be used unless site 47 is empty due to sloping road," notes a River Forks Park reviewer.
Parking constraints: Additional vehicles may not fit at all sites. "Many sites are too small to park a second vehicle even if the camper is small. Parking on dirt or grass is prohibited by rules but appears to be selectively enforced."
