Camping near Ringgold, Georgia offers both mountain and lakeside experiences with elevation changes ranging from 700 to over 2,200 feet above sea level. The region sits at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, creating diverse terrain with numerous hiking trails and water features. Summer camping temperatures typically reach 85-92°F during the day but can drop to the 60s at night, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Cave exploration: 40-minute tours available at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. "Crystal Cave was right on site and enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!" according to one visitor. Tours showcase formations that have developed over thousands of years.
Lakeside recreation: Fishing, swimming, and paddling at Chester Frost Park. A camper reports, "We love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set." The park includes a man-made beach and multiple fishing docks. Rental kayaks and paddleboards are available seasonally.
Mountain hiking: Multi-level trail options ranging from beginner to advanced. At Fort Mountain State Park, "We never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths. The most popular trails here would be the trails to the CCC Tower and overlook and the 'wall'- just know these are not easy hikes due to them going up hill."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate shade and separation between sites. At Cloudland Canyon State Park, "The West Rim camping loop has a total of 48 tent/RV sites with 30 or 50A hookups, water, gravel tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. This loop is far more wooded and offers a greater variety of site size and privacy, and has an extremely quiet and peaceful vibe to it."
Temperature relief at higher elevations: Campers seek out mountain campgrounds during summer heat. At Fort Mountain State Park, "The campground consists of large spacious gravel sites that are well maintained. In the winter, you have lost a lot of privacy foliage but still nicely spaced apart." Cell service can be inconsistent at higher elevations.
Unique camping platforms: For those wanting something different from traditional tent or RV sites. Fort Mountain offers "platform sites, also called Squirrel's Nest" which one camper describes: "The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box (shared between 2 sites)."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary by campground: Some parks require advanced booking while others operate first-come, first-served. At Harrison Bay State Park, one camper advises, "We live only 5 Miles from Harrison Bay State Park. We stayed in the Tent camping area recently... $ was very reasonable. There is also lots of trails and a great little camp store."
Wildlife awareness is essential: Bears are active at multiple area campgrounds. "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here," reports a Fort Mountain camper. At Raccoon Mountain, reviews mention active wildlife throughout the camping areas.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly based on location and elevation. At Cloudland Canyon, "Phone signal one bar, no WiFi." Fort Mountain reports "inconsistent cell coverage even with a Winegard booster with AT&T and Verizon. Mornings were best reception and evening were not so good."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreation areas. At Holiday Travel Park, "Little bit pricey. But the spots are nice. We pull a fifth wheel toy hauler. Had a pull thru spot with full hook up. Restroom/shower house close by that was very clean. Contactless check in."
Playground and water features: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families. A visitor to Chester Frost Park said, "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can occur in all seasons. At Cloudland Canyon, "Been going there since i was a kid. Breath taking view!" Pack layers for potential 30°F temperature differences between day and night, especially at higher elevations in spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site selection and advance planning: RVers recommend researching site specifics. At Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA, "We have a 40' class A and flat tow a Jeep. We stayed in site 203 for 3 nights. While we really enjoyed the campground, this site was not ideal for an RV our size. We weren't able to put our awnings out or comfortably sit outside."
Water and electric hookups: Most campgrounds offer various hookup options. At Raccoon Mountain, "Sites were a good size. Not right on top of each other." Sites typically include 30/50 amp service with water, but sewer connections may be limited at state parks.
Leveling considerations: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Harrison Bay State Park, reviewers note "clean well run campground" with waterfront sites having "easy access to the water," though some report challenges with leveling on certain sites.
