Best Tent Camping near Commerce, GA

The Chattahoochee National Forest surrounding Commerce, Georgia offers several established tent campgrounds and primitive backcountry tent sites. Raven Cliff Falls and Panther Creek Recreation Area provide tent campsites with access to water sources and hiking trails, while Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail serves as a popular backcountry camping destination. Most tent sites in this region are situated within forested areas, providing natural shade and proximity to streams.

Tent campers should note that facilities vary significantly between sites. Most established tent campgrounds like Raven Cliff Falls have vault toilets near the trailhead but no running water, requiring campers to filter water from nearby streams. Fire rings are common at designated tent sites, but during dry periods, fire bans may be implemented. Several locations require bear-resistant food containers or proper food hanging techniques. "Keep in mind that this is bear country," noted one camper, who recommended keeping food at least 14 feet off the ground and away from tents.

Areas farther from the trailheads provide deeper seclusion and quieter camping experiences. Tent pads at Raven Cliff Falls are spread along streams, offering the peaceful sound of running water throughout the night. Walk-in tent sites require carrying gear short distances from parking areas, but reward campers with more privacy than drive-up sites. The dispersed backcountry tent camping areas along Raven Cliff Trail feature multiple established sites with stone fire rings. One visitor mentioned, "If you want a walk-in campsite and it's the weekend, you better get there early. We arrived at dusk on a Friday and got the last walk-in site available." Most backcountry tent sites are first-come, first-served, with no reservation system in place for primitive areas within the national forest.

Best Tent Sites Near Commerce, Georgia (42)

    1. Bell Acres Nudist Resort

    1 Review
    Commerce, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 677-2931

    2. Laurel Park

    4 Reviews
    Gainesville, GA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 535-8280

    "It has a splash pad that’s operating from late spring through summer. It has plenty of access to lake Lanier, and plenty of room for grilling out."

    3. Raven Cliff Falls

    28 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    38 miles
    Website

    "I’ve camped at this location multiple times and each time was better than the last. It feels like a very primitive spot with the ease of car camping."

    "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. Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping

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

    $4 / night

    "Leave no trace!"

    "Panther Creek was honestly my trip into the world of hiking and backpacking (aside from my military experience). But mice wife got me into hiking again and now we are backpacking a lot!"

    5. James Shackleford Memorial Park

    1 Review
    Auburn, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 963-4002

    "Not much to say about it pretty much all the sites around the lake area the same in Hall county Gwinnett it was very peaceful nice people was able to find plenty of outdoor stuff to do hope other people"

    6. Sunset Campground

    1 Review
    Lavonia, GA
    25 miles
    +1 (706) 356-8932

    7. Buford Dam Park Shelters (GA)

    2 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 945-9531

    "This is a nice place to just come and stroll around for a bit. Parking is close to the street and paths go down to the lakeside."

    "Wonderful walks, good fishing most of the year. Can be heavily used at times."

    8. Owls Retreat Campground

    2 Reviews
    Sautee Nacoochee, GA
    35 miles
    +1 (706) 949-6182

    $30 - $200 / night

    "The wildlife was amazing and we saw two bald eagles. The just was very laid back made us feel totally comfortable. We will certainly go back"

    "We were able to just pick a spot and camp, we moved around with our hammocks and had the best time. Showers were nice, fishing was fun, the scenery is breathtaking. Sunsets are awesome."

    9. Blood Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail

    8 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    45 miles
    Website

    "We didn't stay in the shelter and instead set up our tent near an overlook nearby. Perfect place for sunrise and sunset."

    "While most AT shelters have a bathroom nearby, this one doesn't. Also there isn't any water available."

    10. Nacoochee Adventures

    2 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 878-9477

    $50 / night

    "From there you can either walk or bike the Helen to Hardman Trail to Helen and skip the ridiculous tourist traffic."

    "The location in Helen was awesome! It is remote enough to get away from the busy streets of Helen, GA."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Commerce, GA

1306 Reviews of 42 Commerce Campgrounds


  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2018

    Mountain Crossings - Neel Gap m- AT Camp and Store

    Great location, but prepare to sleep on a slant...

    This location is kind of famous. You read about it in the AT books and the owner has actually written a book about all the hikers he's met that happen through his shop. Neels Gap is not only a place to throw down for some sleep (they have a campground and a hostel), but it's a total resupply stop. We stayed at Neels Gap Camp because it fit our mileage plans and it was convenient for the night and it was a great place to catch up with folks we met on the trail and meet some new ones.

    The hostel here is mainly for through hikers. They charge $20/night and that includes a shower and a bed. We stayed at the campground behind the building. There's nothing wrong with the campground, other than the fact that it's on such a slant (building camps on the sides of mountains and rocks does this...) that you are going to end up sleeping on top of your tent buddy if you don't aim your tent the right direction, and there are not many pads that allow the "right direction". You are truly best off in a hammock at this campground.

    There are plenty of hammock trees, and it's kind of cool that the AT goes right past the tent pads so in the morning, you can watch the hikers filter out and head north on their journey. Old faces and new faces greet you as you sip your coffee and eat your oatmeal.

    There is a fire ring, and since the fire ban ends on the other side of the highway (Neels sits on the highway), we were on the right side of the road to have a fire! A welcome addition to the chilly night air. There is a fire pit made of stone and everyone shares.

    There were not many good spots to hang bear bags that were away from the tents, but we found one that sufficed. They do not have a bear box (and claim that bears don't really come to this campground, but can you really tell them not to?). They do, however, have mice, and one little bugger ate into my pack and buried a peanut inside. So best to put your pack in your tent, if possible. They're cute, but not that cute.

    Portable pottys were located out front of the store, and there were about 5 that were fairly clean and maintained. There is a water faucet out front with drinkable water (yay!) that didn't need to be purified and picnic tables for cooking your food. A beautiful overlook while you ate was awesome too! There is a road/highway that passes by, so there is road noise, but not unbearable. Just kind of annoying if you are used to the sounds of the woods.

    The store has anything you could possibly need for re-supply, which makes it totally awesome! Gear (packs, sleeping bags, shoes, socks, etc), cooking supplies (food, stoves, fuel), books, water bottles, you name it! They also accept resupply boxes that you have mailed to yourself and a system to hand them out that seems to work really well.

    Overall, not a bad spot for camping. Everything you need in one spot.

  • Katie H.
    Jul. 10, 2018

    Raven Cliff Falls

    Underrated Camping Spot

    I’ve camped at this location multiple times and each time was better than the last. It feels like a very primitive spot with the ease of car camping. You have the choice to walk in further but it accommodates all campers. Be careful of the bears and always leave no trace.

  • Everette G.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Victoria Bryant State Park Campground

    Great Camping in any Season

    Victoria Bryant State Park is probably one of my most frequented camping spots in the last few years. All of the tent sites are sheltered platforms, with electricity, potable water and an overhead light. Rain or shine, you can have a good time (and stay dry) at Victoria Bryant. There are only about 8 platforms, and one is ADA only, so they book up quick. They are all spaced pretty far apart, privacy isn't too hard to maintain (except maybe site 7&8). 1-4 are down a hill, 4 being the furthest away at about 40 feet, down the steepest incline. There are facilities right across the parking lot, that have always been clean and well maintained, and heated in the colder months. Camp hosts and office have firewood. There are several miles of trails that are lower difficulty, save for some hilly spots. In October, the park does a pretty cool little haunted trail. There's obvious reasons we enjoy VBSP, staying dry in the rain, nice, dense forested areas, and awesome campgrounds make it an easy choice.

  • B+J S.
    Sep. 17, 2021

    Hearthstone Cabins and Camping

    Ever Evolving Wonderland

    Less than a mile from the heart of Helen, Georgia. This campground is a one woman show. Liz, the owner, has done it all and theres no sign of stopping her - to the cabins, the decor, and expanding campsites. 

    Cabins: 

    There are three cabins on this property that are fully set up(everything provided) and ready for you. Two cabins are nice couple cabins while the third is a beautiful three bedroom home with a full yard and outdoor space with room for an RV or tenting, perfect for a group or reunion. 

    RV spaces: 

    Five spaces are towards the front of the property and are all large. When we were there each space was filled with 30+’ trailers there for Oktoberfest. Each site has water and electric, picnic tables, fire rings and some have hammocks. 

    Further on the property are 5 more sites. Each with water, electric, and tables. The three furthest are a bit smaller, but are being expanded upon each day. We stayed in the smaller of the spaces in the back as we have a small trailer. The spot had a perfect mix of shade and sun for our solar panels to charge if we had needed them, but the electric was clean and ample. The wifi was strong and our T-Mobile service also worked. Since we are a small trailer, we do not have our own facilities, so we did have to walk to the bathroom. 

    Tent camping: 

    Think primitive. They’re dirt spots with fire rings. I can see in the future they’ll be expanded upon and significantly improved. The owner has really amazing ideas for these spots and I’ll be very interested in seeing them say a year from now. 

    Bathroom facilities: 

    There is a portapotty and an outhouse- no flushing toilets. In the bathhouse, there are two shower stalls with very high pressure hot showers. While the facilities left a bit to be desired, they did the job and remember, this is a one woman show renovating the entire property! If you have your own facilities in your RV or trailer this isn’t an issue.

     The property overall: 

    The property overall is fun to explore! Theres a natural spring that runs down the hill to a little pond where you can swim or fish from your own sandy beach. We were there after one of the last storms really destroyed the GA, SC, and NC general area so the pond was a bit cloudy and a lot of timber/branches have fallen around the property. There are tons of hang out spaces with hammocks and hammock chairs, so if you’re into reading, theres a spot for you. 

    One of the most interesting things about this property is the“Makers Space”, an arts and crafts area where you can paint, create, and share what you’ve made. Hidden throughout the property are amazing little details. From a mini fairy village to faces in the trees, and beautifully painted rocks hidden in nooks and crannies. 

    You can see the creativity and love Liz has put into making this place her vision. Remember to leave no trace, lend a helping hand, and to stay and chat for a while.

  • A
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Andrew's Cove Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest

    Nice primitive camping

    This is a primitive campground with a picnic table, lantern pole and a firepit with a grate. It is pack in-pack out as there are no trashcans or dumpsters. Water is available via a hand water pump across from site#8 and the toilets are vault toilets but were well kept and did not smell horrible. The stream is gorgeous stream and loud enough to drown out most road noise. There are some hazardous trees and one 6inch tree did fall while we were there this weekend during a thunderstorm. At the back of the campground is a~2 mile trail that connects to the AT. Most sites have a tent pad that will accommodate a 10’x10’ tent. Sites 2, 4, and 8 driveways can really only accommodate 1 car and there are no extra parking spots. Driveways for sites 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 can accommodate 2 cars. Site 1 is adjacent to the road and is going to be impacted by road noise. There is no campground host so be prepared to either scavenge wood or buy it in town, same goes for ice.

  • Morgan W.
    May. 11, 2018

    Deep Gap Shelter on the AT

    Deep Gap Shelter - AT

    Great shelter with close water access, Bear box for food storage, and a fire pit. Kept us dry in the rain! Note: there is a resident mouse that will pay you a visit (not uncommon for shelters on the AT 😁)

  • Michael C.
    Apr. 12, 2025

    River Forks Park & Campground

    Great views but...

    "SITE# 47, Pull-Thru, Not FHU, 50A, Water, Dump LENGTH OF STAY: Stayed 9 Nights, RATE:$30.56/ Night with No Discount/ 0% Discount BATH HOUSE: Clean but Outdated LAUNDRY: Not Recorded STAFF: Friendly PARK IMPRESSIONS: Nice, We would stay here again RV PAD: Concrete, ESTIMATED RV PAD LENGTH: 40 Feet, Tow Vehicle Could NOT Stay Connected and Parking was away from site SITE SLOPE: Door side Tire Blocks needed ROADS: Adequate, MANEUVERABILITY: Narrow PEDESTAL PLACEMENT: Center of site length, SHADE: 30% GRASS AREA: At-Site, DESIGNATED PET AREA: Not Recorded PICNIC TABLE: Yes, FIRE RING: Yes, VERIZON Signal(bars): 5G-3, SPEED: 394 Mbs Download, 47 Mbs Upload T-MOBILE Signal(bars): 5G-5, SPEED: 714 Mbs Download, 124 Mbs Upload No WiFi, OTA TV CHANNELS: 75, CABLE TV: No, PLAYGROUND: Yes POOL: No, WATER FEATURE: Lake, FIREWOOD: Yes, STORE: No CLUBHOUSE: No, PROPANE AVAILABILITY: No Original site was# 46(back-in) but was VERY small. Moved to site 47(Pull-Thru) but due to road slope pull-thru is un-usable. Lower numbered sites(less than 30) appear somewhat better. Empty camp ground host side byhind 47 cannot be used unless site 47 is emprty due to sloping road. One single use dump station. One campground host presently in the park- their site was not marked. Appears that most sites are back-in and set sideways to a hillside and lakefront leaving very little level space for chairs. Fire rings are frequently located 12-20 feet away from picnic table and 3 to 9 feet below site level on a slope. Reservation Software used by office was down upon Saturday arrival with no IT help until Monday- two days away leaving office staff frustrated and using their own phone to access the reservation system customers use instead of management side of software. Staff stated it goes down frequently with no IT support on weekends. Six bathhouses in park. Bathhouse nearest beach closed awaiting replacement of fixtures after renovation. Shower has outdated fixtures- several shower heads had significant mineral deposits restricting flow. Men's side closed at another bathhouse. Many shower stalls had no hook or fixture to hang a towel or clothing. Several showers had broken shower valves making them unusable. Stayed 9 nights and did not see anyone working on bathhouses. Beach area parking is limited to 6 or 7 spaces and one handicap space however, there is a larger parking lot a little further away. Bathhouse showers have a pull string valve next to the shower head that had to be held down to get water with many strings broken, missing and too short to allow shorter people, children, or handicaped wheel-chair use. Some sites have precarious/dangerous sloping driveways for RVs to get into. Newly installed sites are near completion but they make sites very close together. Many sites do not have a fire pit and many do not have a grill. Many sites arer too small to park a second vhicle even if the camper is small. Parking on dirt or grass is prohibited by rules but appears to be selectively enforced. The campground has a boat ramp and reasonably large parking area. Extra careful site selection is warranted. Four docks in River Forks Park. Firewood is available at the office. CHECK-IN: 01:00 PM CHECK-OUT: 12:00 PM RIG: 42ft- 17,000 lb 5th Wheel"

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Coneross Park Campground

    Lakeside campground

    This campground is huge. A lot of the campsites are close together, but we snagged a site along the west side of the campground, where there’s a little more privacy and seclusion.

    Being right on the water was amazing, the water was so warm and being able to swim from your site is pretty cool. This site had some stairs leading from the parking spot to the site, then slopes down to the lake.

    Dogs need to always be on leash and there’s no alcohol allowed, which is a bit of a bummer.

    Spigots and bathhouse was convenient, except no soap by the sinks.

  • John W.
    Aug. 8, 2017

    Raven Cliff Falls

    Basecamp Tucked Away from Civilzation

    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. Most visitors cone for a day hike to the falls but there are a ton of secluded backwoods camping spots tucked off the forestry road that connects you to the trail.

    We camped here in June with a group of our close friends. It was a bit humid and warm, which is no surprise for a North Georgia summer, but still well worth the peace and relaxation. Our spot was about a quarter mile from the parking area which has public restrooms available, and we were right next to Dodd Creek so we had the peaceful sounds of running water to put us to sleep at night. There was plenty of room for multiple tents and hammocks, and we had a nic3 stone fire ring to cook on.

    If you are going to camp here, rem2mber to Leave No Trace even if the campers before you did, and keep in mind that this is b3ar country. Its always a good idea to keep food out of tents, in a bear proof container, and hung up at least 14 feet off the ground. also make sure you bring everything you need , this is rustic camping, and while its not too terribly far to town its always better to have what you need to begin with.


Guide to Commerce

Tent camping near Commerce, Georgia offers a variety of scenic spots where nature enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from family-friendly parks to serene lakeside retreats, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers should check out Laurel Park

  • Enjoy the beautiful sunsets and ample space for grilling at Laurel Park, which provides easy access to Lake Lanier.
  • This campground allows pets and features picnic tables, making it a great choice for families looking to spend quality time outdoors.
  • With drinking water available and fires allowed, you can enjoy a comfortable camping experience while soaking in the natural beauty.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • For those who love hiking, Panther Creek Recreation Area Camping offers stunning trails leading to beautiful waterfalls, perfect for a day of exploration.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Smithgall Woods, known for its clear waters and great trout fishing spots.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, Nacoochee Adventures provides zip-lining and access to a small creek, adding an adventurous twist to your camping trip.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $30

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Commerce, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Commerce, GA is Bell Acres Nudist Resort with a 1-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Commerce, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Commerce, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.