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Best Dispersed Camping near Dahlonega, GA

53 Reviews

Dispersed camping areas surround Dahlonega, Georgia within the Chattahoochee National Forest, where primitive sites can be found along forest roads and near water features. Popular locations include Justus Creek, Preacher's Rock, Dicks Creek Falls, and Jones Creek, all offering free camping opportunities without designated facilities. Several sites are located near the Appalachian Trail, providing backcountry access with varying degrees of seclusion and natural settings. These primitive camping areas typically feature simple fire rings and flat spots for tents but lack amenities or services.

Access to most dispersed sites requires traveling on unpaved forest roads with conditions ranging from moderately maintained to rough and challenging. Many locations like Indian Grave Gap and Corbin Creek Tray Mountain need high-clearance vehicles or 4WD, particularly after rain. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, and campers must pack in all water as most sites have no reliable sources except for natural creeks that require filtration. Standard dispersed camping regulations apply, including Leave No Trace principles and typical 14-day stay limits on national forest land.

The camping experience varies across locations, with creekside sites being particularly sought after. Areas near water features like Justus Creek and High Shoals Falls offer natural swimming opportunities during warmer months. Several locations provide access to hiking trails, including segments of the Appalachian Trail. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region. Campers report varying levels of solitude depending on season and proximity to popular day-use areas. "The creek was absolutely freezing cold in July, it was great to rinse some clothes and ourselves off. It was definitely one of our best nights sleep listening to the water," noted one visitor to Justus Creek. Another camper mentioned that Jones Creek has "a few little water falls we enjoyed hanging on for a bit," though they cautioned the area "seems to be popular for local dirt bikers" and some sites show evidence of heavy use.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Dahlonega, Georgia (46)

    1. Justus Creek Campsite

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    10 miles

    "We were warned about bears in the area so were very cautious about hanging our bear bag a little extra distance away on the opposite side of the creek."

    2. Preacher's Rock

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    11 miles
    Website

    3. Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road

    1 Review
    Suches, GA
    11 miles

    "They have a couple closer to water but most are more remote. There is a 3 mile long dirt road to travel on."

    4. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground

    1 Review
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
    11 miles

    "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."

    5. Cowrock Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, GA
    15 miles

    "Dispersed camp sites at or near the summit of Cowrock Mountain offer wonderfully shaded spots with long range views of the Blue Ridge."

    "This section of the AT isn’t easy breezy, but it levels out and the trees thin out on the mountain ridges to relatively open, flat land for camping Ran into som AT’ers packing up for the morning."

    6. Hightower Gap Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Suches, GA
    12 miles

    7. Indian Grave Gap Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    24 miles
    Website

    "All three have creek access. We picked the single on the other side. Not a lot of flat ground options. Each site is huge."

    "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."

    8. High Shoals Falls Trail Dispersed

    1 Review
    Helen, GA
    24 miles
    Website

    "A relatively moderate 2.4 mile (round trip) hike with primitive camping/ backpacking campsites alongside High Shoals Creek."

    9. Corbin Creek Tray Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Helen, GA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-6928

    "A 4wd with moderate clearance is helpful. Wonderful stream running through the campsite."

    "This is by far my favorite place we’ve been off grid camping. It’s more Jeep friendly than full size vehicles, to get a spot down by the creek."

    10. Helton Creek Falls Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, GA
    17 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Dahlonega, GA

31 Photos of 46 Dahlonega Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Dahlonega, GA

53 Reviews of 46 Dahlonega Campgrounds

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Creekside Camp

    Very primitive

    No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2021

    Siler Bald Trail Shelter TR 373

    Trail Shelter along the Appalachian Trail

    Siler Bald is not to be confused with Silers Bald, which borders the NC/TN state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Siler Bald is actually in the Nantahala National Forest and is close to Wayah Bald along the Appalachian Trail. The shelter is aptly named after the adjacent mountain bald. I first went to Siler Bald many years ago but did not go to the trail shelter. This second time, I did go to the trail shelter, which is about nine-tenths of a mile past the Siler Bald summit if you are hiking north on the Appalachian Trail. If you are hiking from Wayah Bald, it is a little over three and a half miles. Since this is a trail shelter, it does not have electrical hookups. You will need to take a water filtration system for fresh water. Instead of searching for firewood, we used my old Coleman stove for dinner. Surprisingly, there were no other groups in the shelter the night we stayed there. The best things about this trail shelter are its proximity to the Appalachian Trail, the quietness you’ll experience since it is away from major highways, and its proximity to the Siler Bald summit. The summit provides a fantastic 360 degree view since it is a grassy bald, but it is a steep climb from the base to the summit. This is not an RV campground, and you do have to pack everything in(and out). You cannot go to the store to get supplies without hiking a long way, so be prepared. Overall, I loved it because of its peace and solitude.

  • Roy B.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • William S.
    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.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Roy B.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Unicoi Gap Dispersed

    Helen Hideaway

    Free dispersed primitive camping minutes from Helen Ga and local wineries. Great spot next to the creek. Quiet and any potential neighbors are far enough away that you have total privacy

  • B
    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.

Guide to Dahlonega

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Dahlonega, Georgia, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers numerous spots for camping that allow you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Dahlonega

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to the High Shoals Falls Trail Dispersed, which features a moderate hike leading to stunning waterfalls and lush greenery.
  • For those seeking adventure on two wheels, the Dick’s Creek Falls area offers rocky forest trails perfect for off-road biking and exploring the scenic surroundings.
  • If you enjoy fishing, the Jones Creek Dispersed Campground provides access to a beautiful river, making it an ideal spot for casting a line and relaxing by the water.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Dahlonega, Georgia

  • When visiting the Indian Grave Gap Campsite, be prepared for a more primitive experience, as there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets available.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially at popular locations like Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road, which can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to maintain the natural beauty of areas like Cowrock Mountain, ensuring that future visitors can enjoy the same pristine environment.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Justus Creek

  • The Justus Creek Campsite is a fantastic choice for those looking to unwind by a cold creek, perfect for rinsing off after a day of hiking.
  • Be mindful of wildlife, particularly bears, when camping at Justus Creek Campsite, and take precautions to store food properly.
  • This site offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it an excellent location for stargazing and enjoying the sounds of nature at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping in Dahlonega, GA?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Dahlonega in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road offers 5-6 first-come, first-served sites with some located near water, accessible via a 3-mile dirt road. Unicoi Gap Dispersed provides free primitive camping minutes from Helen and local wineries, with quiet, private spots next to a creek. Other options include Justus Creek Campsite along the Appalachian Trail, Preacher's Rock for those willing to hike in, and High Shoals Falls Trail area for more secluded spots. Most sites are primitive with no facilities, so come prepared with everything you'll need.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Dahlonega?

Dispersed camping sites near Dahlonega are typically primitive with minimal to no amenities. At Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, you'll find a large field with established fire rings and access to hiking trails like Emery Creek and Tear Britches, but no formal facilities. Jones Creek Dispersed Campground offers sites along the river accessible via a narrow dirt road, but without developed facilities. Most dispersed sites feature natural water sources like creeks or rivers, flat tent spaces, and existing fire rings. You'll need to bring your own drinking water, toilet supplies, and pack out all trash. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent.

Do I need a permit for dispersed camping in Dahlonega, Georgia?

Most dispersed camping in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Dahlonega does not require a permit for stays up to 14 days in a 30-day period. However, specific regulations may vary by location. For camping at Panther Top Dispersed Site or Big Creek Primitive Camping Area, no permits are required, though camping is first-come, first-served. Always check for any posted restrictions at trailheads or camping areas. During high fire danger periods, fire restrictions may be implemented. For current regulations, it's best to contact the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest office before your trip, as rules can change seasonally.

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