Glamping in Cornelia, Georgia puts campers in the foothills of the Appalachians, with elevations ranging from 1,200-1,600 feet offering cooler temperatures than Georgia's lowlands. This area sits at the southern edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest, where campsites tend to be more secluded and creek-adjacent than in other parts of the state. During summer months, temperatures average in the mid-80s while spring and fall can fluctuate between 40-70°F.
What to do
Creek exploration: Explore Dodd Creek at Raven Cliff Falls, where multiple campsites border the waterway. "We camped along the creek at one of these sites. We absolutely loved being by the creek, and a lot of the sites are spread out to give a good bit of privacy," reports D & Jess W.
Stargazing: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at night when glamping near Cornelia. At Tugaloo State Park Campground, lakefront sites provide excellent night sky viewing. "Lots of stars at night. Very clean and well kept park. Camp hosts were helpful," notes Liz H.
Wildlife viewing: Keep binoculars ready for deer, owls, and other forest animals. Campers at Raven Cliff Falls should be prepared for bear encounters as one visitor notes, "We were visited by a bear two of the nights. The bear took our neighbors dog food they forgot to pack out. So pack out all food items and trash or hang a bear bag."
Waterfall photography: Capture unique cascading falls on the various trails. "Raven Cliff Falls trail is a 2.5 miles hike that ends at a breathtaking waterfall, but the trail doesn't quite end there. Once you arrive at the falls there's plenty of room to roam the dozens of rock structures," says Wayne H.
What campers like
Proximity to mountain towns: Many glamping sites offer quick access to nearby cultural attractions. Unicoi State Park & Lodge provides campers proximity to Alpine-themed Helen. "We spent a week here in Feb. 2017 it was a bit chilly and quiet. The sites and trails are very well maintained, all facilities were clean and the park rangers are super friendly," shares Kelly W.
Water access: Several glamping sites feature direct water access for activities. "We were in 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," reports Liz H. about Tugaloo State Park.
Multi-use recreation areas: Many glamping destinations offer family activities beyond hiking. "The swimming part of the lake has a small beach with sand and the lake is roped off for swimming. There is a small store that has everything, from s'mores to items you may run out of," notes Diane G. about Unicoi State Park.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained facilities. At Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground, "The restrooms were clean, the showers were clean, and all the people we came across were so friendly. The proximity to hiking was about as close as you could get," reports Ashley C.
What you should know
Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular sites. "Getting to the campsites is pretty tight but once you are parked, it is just beautiful overlooking the lake. Lots of fun for families who enjoy the water," explains Benita P. from Tugaloo State Park.
Limited cell service: Prepare for disconnection at most glamping locations. At Raven Cliff Falls, campers report "no cell service" so you'll need to "drive 10 to 15 minutes into town" if you need to contact someone, according to multiple reviewers.
Bear activity: Food storage precautions are essential in this region. "Being a former corrections officers, I know what I think it is, but I'll leave that to the reader," writes Jay B. at Oconee State Park Campground regarding bear warnings, adding "we saw no trace of them."
Tent-specific sites: Some glamping sites have dedicated tent areas separated from RV sections. "The tent sites are all either beside a creek or next to the pond. Large campsites for tents, we could have easily had 3 tents comfortably," notes Ashley about Jenny's Creek Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with play areas to keep children entertained. "There's even a canoe trail! Campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean," says Kevan R. about Don Carter State Park.
Water activities: Plan for swimming options during hot weather. Unicoi State Park offers several water features: "My kids and I went camping at Unicoi Park in the summer and there is plenty to keep them busy. They played in the creek, on the swing set and walked the trail to the swimming section of the lake," shares Diane G.
Easy access trails: Select campsites near shorter trails suitable for younger hikers. Jenny's Creek Family Campground provides accessible outdoor spaces: "Our campsite backed up to one of the hiking trails and our little guy loved it! Wonderful campground!" notes Cameron G.
Noise considerations: Be aware of neighbor proximity at busier glamping sites. One Oconee State Park camper noted, "The people staying across from us decided that 1030 was the time to start blaring music and screaming. No camp host showed up, but after they fought and someone threatened to crush someone's tent, they decided to calm down."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Request information about pad levelness before booking. "Sites are often uneven with a lot of tree roots running throughout. It does require consideration before parking your trailer or RV," warns Constance O. at Oconee State Park.
Hookup locations: Check placement of utilities as they vary widely between glamping sites. Brett D. notes at Currahee RV Park: "Only issue with the site is that the sewer drain is much higher than the pad and camper."
Maneuvering space: Verify turning radius for larger rigs. "This is a newer State Park in Georgia and it could be nice, but it's been paved over. They classify them as RV sites, but they are parking lots," reports Joel R. about Don Carter State Park, giving perspective on the layouts.
Pull-through availability: Book early for easier access sites. At Tugaloo State Park, Kevin A. reports, "The sites were large and spacious. We were in site #8 right on the lake. Water, electric and cable tv connections. No sites with sewer, but dump station has two receptacles so there was no wait to dump tanks on way out."
