The Cherokee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness area provide rugged tent camping experiences near Crandall, Georgia, with elevations ranging from 700 to 4,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during daytime hours with cooler nights in the 60s. Most dispersed sites require visitors to pack out all trash and provide their own water filtration systems.
What to do
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds near Crandall feature creek access for swimming and wading. At Hickey Gap in Cohutta WMA, campers can enjoy creek activities right from their site. One camper noted, "There's a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek."
Trout fishing: The streams throughout the area offer excellent fishing opportunities. Lost Creek Campground in Cherokee National Forest provides access to a creek suitable for fishing. A visitor shared, "The creek can be used for shallow water wading or fishing."
Hiking trails: The region has numerous trails for day hikes of varying difficulty. At Bear Creek Campground, "The Bear Creek MTB and hiking loop is a further 1/4 mile up the dirt road." Many trails connect to longer routes like the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Wildlife viewing: Keep an eye out for diverse wildlife in the forests. Visitors report seeing everything from chipmunks to bears. One camper at Fort Mountain State Park's backcountry sites mentioned enjoying "the sunset" from "a beautiful west facing overlook" just 0.2 miles from their campsite.
What campers like
Secluded wilderness camping: For more remote experiences, Big Frog Area offers primitive sites away from crowds. A reviewer described a campsite as having "Lots of shade, on a beautiful stretch of trail around 1 mile north of Big Frog summit on Big Frog trail. Plenty of space for several tents."
Free camping options: Several campgrounds in the area don't charge fees. Lost Creek Campground has been described as "incredibly clean + quiet—and completely free. It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest."
Water sounds: Many campers appreciate sites near water. At Hickey Gap, a visitor called it "a beautiful little spot next to a creek" and enjoyed a "peaceful sleep next to a creek." Another camper at Creekside Camp noted the "flat campsites next to a very nice creek."
Wildlife sightings: The chance to observe wildlife adds to the camping experience. One camper reported, "We saw tons of chipmunks around" while others have spotted different bird species and even bears.
What you should know
Bear safety: Bears are active throughout the region. Hickey Gap provides "a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box."
Difficult access roads: Many campgrounds require driving on rough forest roads. At Hickey Gap, "the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep."
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal amenities. Lost Creek offers "concrete picnic tables, lantern post, a pit toilet and bear safe trash receptacles. There is no potable water available from a spicket and no Verizon cell reception."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects accessibility and comfort. Spring brings higher water levels in creeks, while summer increases bug activity. A camper at Hickory Creek Trail Backcountry Campground warned about summer conditions: "What we got was an overgrown buggy trail that wound through the woods."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: For families, sites with easier access are preferable. Outdoor Adventure Rafting Campground offers more amenities, with one visitor noting they "have an awesome bathroom facility" and provide rafting and tubing options that are "pretty tame, more time to play!"
Bring water toys: Creeks provide natural entertainment for children. Hickey Gap campers suggest, "Bring a bathing suit" for creek play.
Pack extra supplies: Limited services mean bringing everything you need. A visitor to Lost Creek recommended "bring along some hand sanitizer" since the restrooms, though clean, have no running water.
Watch for wildlife: Turn wildlife spotting into an educational activity. One camper reported their family "really enjoyed doing some bird watching and trying to figure out what birds were which" using a bird identification book.
Tips from RVers
High clearance vehicles only: Most forest roads aren't suitable for traditional RVs. Bear Creek Campground warns the "final stream crossing should only be attempted with a high clearance and possibly 4x4 vehicle." Small campervans with off-road capability fare better.
Limited turn-around space: Forest roads often lack adequate space for larger vehicles to turn around. At Lost Creek, small RVs can fit at some sites, but the 7-mile gravel forest road access requires careful driving.
Consider seasonality: Roads deteriorate after heavy rain. A visitor noted, "Roads were in decent shape, I could see them being bad after a heavy storm."
Prepare for no hookups: The best tent camping near Crandall, Georgia offers primitive conditions only. Even at established campgrounds, no electrical, water, or sewer hookups are available for RVs.
