Best Dispersed Camping near Cornelia, GA

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Cornelia

50 Reviews of 38 Cornelia Campgrounds

• 

  Michele D.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 1, 2024

  Lake Chatuge Dispersed

  Wrong coordinates

  The coordinates take you to Nottley Dam. We had to drive 37 minutes farther to Lake Chatuge and hopefully we find some campground since it is very dark at the moment. We ended up having to spend over $200 for a hotel. I'm going to delete my acct as other friends have similar issues with Dyrt

• 

  Darwin R.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 1, 2024

  Indian Grave Gap Campsite

  ADV Bike Motocamping

  If you’re anywhere near Helen, GA on an ADV Bike, this summit is for you. There are three routes up the mountain so you never have to double back. There are more primitive sites at the top of the mountain (not where the Dyrt pin was dropped) on both sides of the fork. Suitable for tents and hammocks. There is one site that would support a large group or even a camper (or two) if you can get them up the steep rocky hunting trail. Sites were mostly clean with rock fire pits.

• L

  Lillian R.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 19, 2024

  Soggy Boot Campground

  good camp sites

  the directions get you to the general area fine. the campsites are hard to find in the dark - we ended up just stopping at the first clearing from a fork on the gravel road we saw to set up a tent. road is very bumpy, there’s a stream near some of the spots , we looked for a fire ring where we stopped in the morning and didn’t see one.

• 

  Gillian S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 13, 2024

  Indian Grave Gap Campsite

  Good for Big Groups

  Three campsites in the immediate area. Two are on one side of the road. You have to cross thru one to get to the other. All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge. We decided to spread out but that meant having to do a lot of walking back and forth for stuff. You can pull your car into the site easily. It’s about a mile from the High Shoals Trailhead. Both waterfalls are lovely. One has a nice swimming hole. The closest town is Hiawasee. Had a grocery and an outfitters if you need supplies. There’s only two sit down restaurants—one had an hour wait; the other had run out of food.

• 

  Kevin S.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 18, 2024

  Lake Chatuge Dispersed

  Nice tva campground

  Good camp area quite during mid week stay

• 

  Linda F.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  Blue Valley Dispersed Camping

  Blue valley

  I went in July and it was cool in day and cold at night nice , secluded

• C

  Claudia H.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 12, 2024

  Mountain Rest Mountain Top

  Hilltop camping with hiking trails

  Great spot with room to turn around. Shaded and at trailhead of a trail down to creek and near a second trail to a waterfall. Had a few people during the day but evenings were totally quiet. A bit of extra vehicle clearance is helpful...slow and steady gets you to a great spot. No services here but good dispersed spot.

• 

  Clay T.

  Guide

  

  May. 7, 2024

  Chattahoochee National Forest Boggs Creek Recreation Area - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

  A breathtaking spot.

  Great quietly secluded. Made an effort to go as far as I could. And even through the water in my 2015 Toyota sienna mobbed right on through. Enjoy the views!

• 

  Alex R.

  Guide

  

  May. 1, 2024

  Sandy Beach Campsite

  Nice campsite right next to the river

  Right next to the Chattooga river. You're on the beach.

• B

  Billie P.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 21, 2024

  Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

  Beautiful but popular

  Dont park where the map tells you, you can drive to the locations on a decent narrow dirt road.

  When we first arrived, the camp site we chose was on the river, but also off the main road. This area seems to be popular for local dirt bikers, but we seen people fishing and relaxing all the same.

  I would have gave 5 stars, but these sites are well used and has years of careless debris around. We also heard some folks shooting guns( in the distance), which isn’t a problem for us, but reduced the relaxing nature of the visit with all this combined.

  This river is amazing, low current makes its easy to walk in and there are a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit.

• B

  Brian

  Guide

  

  Nov. 16, 2023

  Falls Creek

  Nice secluded spot

  There is room for two vehicles and multiple tent spots. Very secluded and fairly level. Overall a great spot. If it had an epic view I would have it at 5 stars. River is about .6 mile hike away and the road is not bad getting in. Basically 2 track forest road.

• C

  Cooper B.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 15, 2023

  Soggy Boot Campground

  Beautiful clearing

  I went with my girlfriend and dog and had a blast. Is a little confusing to find but just when you question if you’re heading to the right place, you’re greeted with a fork and small trail down to a massive clearing. You could easily fit 8 cars around the area. There’s a very flat area, a fire pit, and creek surrounded by forest and mountains. Will definitely be coming back to this location.

• 

  Ethan B.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 21, 2023

  Blackwell Bridge

  Peaceful ish

  Couple things to know you don't need 4wd to get to the campsite. I do want to say though that the road down to the spot is a little wonky so be prepare for bumpy road. I will like to say there is a road literally 300 feet next to the campsite doesnt seem that busy but you might get a car once every 45 mins. Other wise the campsite is nice there was a good bit of trash thrown around. I tried cleaning up the best I can but be aware pls clean up after yourself. There are two campsite on opposite side of the road if the main one is taken. One of the nice things is if you have a tent you can get right next to the water definitely say beautiful area. Will go back.

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 1, 2022

  Siler Bald Trail Shelter TR 373

  Trail photos

  Closest shelter to the bald where you can get an amazing view. Well cared for and in an incredible area. Just be prepared for a climb to see the view.

• 

  Clayton S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 19, 2021

  Tallulah River Rd Dispersed Camping

  Nice but doesnt blow your mind

  Nice wide camping spot. Very primitive and if you desperately need toilet facilities, there are a couple of established campgrounds just down the road

• K

  Kelli

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 17, 2021

  Blue Valley Dispersed Camping

  We love it here

  We have camped at 3 sites at this campground and have loved all of them. We were very secluded and there was very little traffic on the dirt road. Love hearing all the wonderful sounds of nature and nothing else. Wonderful creek/river by every campsite we went to. Some have picnic tables but all have fire rings and lantern posts. There's only about 10-15 sites that you can actually drive up to but I'm sure there's more if you hike in.

• W

  Wanderer

  Guide

  

  Oct. 9, 2021

  Falls Creek

  Backcountry Primitive site(s)

  Decent site(s) near chatooga river. Moderate clearance vehicle required, (or hike it).

• W

  Wanderer

  Guide

  

  Oct. 9, 2021

  Mountain Rest Mountain Top

  Backcountry Primitive site

  Large mountain top camp site. Moderate clearance vehicle is required to access, (or hike it) ;)

• W

  Wanderer

  Guide

  

  Sep. 27, 2021

  Blackwell Bridge - Dispersed Camping

  Shhh, secret sweet spot…

  Access is rough, (moderate clearance vehicles required). Also, as courtesy - cruise the bridge and see if people are down there first, (both sides).

  Sweet backcountry spot! Nice gurgling stream and hiking trails.

• 

  William S.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 25, 2021

  Albert Mountain Firetower Dispersed Campsite

  This one's for the hikers

  You can access this campsite by various means, but do your research and save yourself as many steps, because make no mistake, this is a serious hiking trail (a mile to a mile and a half, depending on route) up to the Fire Tower. 

  Part of the Appalachian Train, once you park your car or hike in, you'll make your way uphill over crude-cut rocks, tree roots, and muddy, narrow paths. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. The path down is just as treacherous as the path up, as moisture from the mountain drips down over craggy footholds. 

  While the path is popular with hikers, anyone camping should consider using a very small pack, especially since some of the trails have nothing but a chasm on one side. 

  Once you make it to the Fire Tower, however, all is forgiven. The site from the bottom is breathtaking, and you can see, well, forever. Heading up the tower (the very top is closed to visitors and mothballed), you get an almost full 360º panorama of the surrounding valleys and mountains. 

  The camp site itself is very rustic, no amenities other than a rock fire ring, and does not face the vistas. There's a weak LTE signal at the top, but be prepared to lose your signal along the way.

  Side note: I came through the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory, which has numerous signs posted that you cannot camp there. However, it's part of the larger National Forest and it's not exactly clear where camping begins to be allowed, as there were several rustic sites along the trail at the upper end.

  If you do come driving through the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory path, be prepared for narrow, steep gravel lanes. And keep in mind that if you do park your car on one of the (few) spaces available, you're going to be very far from it, and the site didn't appear to be patrolled in any way.

• 

  William S.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 23, 2021

  Blackwell Bridge

  Primitive site with rough access

  This camping site is unmarked and almost literally under a bridge. There's a pull-off to either side of the structure, which quickly goes from asphalt to a very uneven dirt road which had been graveled long ago, snaking down to the river. My small car had difficulty getting down it and the drop-off from the asphalt is abrupt.

  When I visited, it had rained heavily so both the road and the site were wet and muddy. The camping site itself is open, with no designated tent sites, but there is a fire ring made of rock and a few stumps and rocks to sit on.

  On the plus side, there's a sign posted that the river is open trout fishing all year, with no lure or size restrictions. 

  There appeared to be another trail on the other side of the bridge, but I didn't travel that as I wasn't sure my car could handle the mud road.

• 

  Noah S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 9, 2021

  Soggy Boot Campground

  Big open site next to creek

  Plenty of space for groups or even just to have some tucked back privacy. Only bad part was there was trash everywhere when we got there.

• t

  tamara

  Guide

  

  Jun. 22, 2021

  Soggy Boot Campground

  Difficult to find after dusk but awesome spot for 4WD cars

  We came looking for this campsite past dark and after a half hour of driving on a gravel road we gave up searching and just parked on the side of the road for the night.

  In the morning we went hunting for the campground and ended up finding at least 10 campsites scattered throughout the mountain and road. The coordinates posted weren’t very helpful so the best way to find this location is to put into the GPS the name of the nearby retreat center called “Ramah Darom”. Once you get to the entrance keep continuing up the mountain. The road will stop being paved and you’ll have a gravel road to continue on that leads you to numerous sites.

  The sites arnt difficult to find in the daytime, just know there’s no signs or pointers to tell you which way to go.

  I’ll post some pictures to help you find where some of the sites are.

  The sites are primitive, with just fire rings but its definitely a cute spot to spend the night.

  I don’t recommend RV’s.

• t

  tamara

  Guide

  

  Jun. 2, 2021

  Unicoi Gap Dispersed

  Coordinates are wrong, don’t go here

  We drove here to find that the coordinates given by the app took us to a neighborhood and once you get there the pin that shows where the campsite is supposed to be has a sign saying “disaster area”. Don’t waste your time driving here unless the coordinates get updated.

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  May. 1, 2021

  Whiterock Gap Backcountry Campsite

  Protected backcountry site

  This is a backpacking campsite on the NC Bartram trail that sits right along the trail and has a clearing for about 1 tent or multiple hammocks. Although the site itself is fairly wooded you can walk 5 min up the trail to get to an opening in the trees and have some incredible views. Additionally, the water source nearby is only about a 10-15 min walk. This section of trail is part of the Bartram trail which is a wonderful through hike starting at the border with Georgia and traveling all the way up through Franklin and ending at Cheoah Bald and Stecoah Gap. You can find detailed maps of the entire route on the NC Bartram Trail website where they mark out all the campsites and water options. Definitely check out my other reviews though since some of the marked sites are better than others. This specific site sits right in the gap between two mountains where the trail dips downhill before heading back uphill. It is definitely one of the nicer sites that exist right alongside the trail and is fairly well established. Overall, I prefer the next site that is on the peak of Whiterock Mountain this is a pretty close second place and would be the better option if you are arriving late in the afternoon and need to get camp set up quick.

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  May. 1, 2021

  Whiterock Mountain Backcountry Campsite

  WOW! Amazing Views

  This site is located at the top of a small peak a short way off of the main Whiterock Mountain Trail. The split is clearly marked and will take you up a short (slippery) climb to this incredible overlook. The campsite itself is large enough for 1 or 2 tents and has several nice established fire pits. Although there isn't a water source up top you will pass a small creek slightly off the trail that provides a good place to pump water before heading up to the peak. This section of trail is part of the Bartram trail which is a wonderful through hike starting at the border with Georgia and traveling all the way up through Franklin and ending at Cheoah Bald and Stecoah Gap.  You can find detailed maps of the entire route on the NC Bartram Trail website where they mark out all the campsites and water options. Definitely check out my other reviews though since some of the marked sites are better than others. Overall, this specific site is well worth the short off-route trek. Make sure to watch both of my video reviews since I got a little confused thinking I had found the site but then realized I was wrong....

• 

  Asher K.

  Legend

  

  May. 1, 2021

  Mooney to Bearpen Gap Backcountry Campground

  Small Wooded Backcountry Site

  This is a small site along the AT that has a nice clearing and enough space for 1-2 tents with an established fire pit. Check out my video review below to get a better idea of the site layout. The major thing I would be aware of is that this site can get a little flooded after heavy rain. There is also not an easy access water source nearby so either be prepared to hike a little distance or carry in what you will need for the night. Overall though even though it isn't the best site in the area it is close to some incredible overlook spots and in a beautiful area so well worth a visit.