Dahlonega sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 feet. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during the day and dropping to 65°F at night. The area's forests are predominately pine and oak, with dense canopy coverage providing natural shade for many campsites.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Desoto Falls Recreation Area, trails lead to multiple falls within a short distance. "The hiking trails are nice and there is a nice lake at the parking lot," notes Nicole P., while another camper mentions "a short jaunt to the trailhead of DeSoto Falls from the campsite."
Mountain biking: Unicoi State Park & Lodge offers extensive trail systems. "A lot of activities to do! Mountain biking, hiking, zip lining, etc. Will definitely be returning in the future!" says Rebeca A. The park has recently added more technical trails for experienced riders.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. At Bolding Mill, "Almost all of the campsites have the best lake views and you can do pretty much anything on the lake!" according to Bethany M. Campers report catching bass, crappie and catfish from shore.
Wildlife observation: The forests around Dahlonega support diverse wildlife. One camper at Amicalola Falls noted, "My teens loved it. They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth." Bears are common in the area, particularly near Three Forks.
What campers like
Creek-side tent sites: Jenny's Creek Family Campground offers tent sites with direct water access. "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," reports ashley.
Clean facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Dahlonega maintain high cleanliness standards. At Don Carter State Park Campground, "The campground is well maintained and bath houses are clean," according to Kevan R. Another camper adds, "The bathrooms were so clean and so nice! They are air conditioned with three stalls and three showers."
Fall colors: Campers frequently mention autumn camping as ideal. "We went camping every memorial day weekend and this year it was at Don Carter. We love this camp ground! Its fairly new, probably under 12 years, and everything is so clean and well taken care of," says Cameron G.
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies significantly between campgrounds. At Raven Cliff Falls, "a lot of the sites are spread out to give a good bit of privacy," according to one reviewer. Primitive campsites typically offer more seclusion than established campgrounds.
What you should know
Road noise impacts: Several campgrounds experience traffic sounds. At Desoto Falls, campers mention "Loud road noise especially motorcycles!" and note "From about 4am to 10pm you hear the constant traffic on the nearby highway."
Bear activity: Bears frequent many campsites in the region. At Raven Cliff Falls, "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."
Seasonal crowds: Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day see high occupancy rates. One camper advises, "If you want a walk-in campsite and it's the weekend, you better get there early. We arrived at dusk on a Friday and got the last walk-in site available."
Variable water levels: Creek and waterfall conditions fluctuate with rainfall. During summer dry spells, some smaller waterfalls may reduce to trickles. Spring typically offers the most dramatic water features after seasonal rains.
Tips for camping with families
Air-conditioned facilities: When camping with kids during hot summer months, look for campgrounds with climate-controlled common areas. Jenny's Creek offers "a nice playground and bathhouse" and "an air conditioned club house they provides a nice break from the heat."
Easy water access: Sites with gradual water entry work best for children. At Bolding Mill, "There are several spots to get down and into the lake for a swim. Very well maintained." However, some lakeside sites have steep banks that may be challenging for small children.
Nature programs: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Dahlonega offer educational activities. "We went to a ranger program on raptors on Saturday which was interesting," reports a camper at Don Carter State Park. These programs typically run on weekends during peak season.
Playgrounds and recreation: For families needing built amenities, Vogel State Park provides "Two separate children's playgrounds exist, not too far from one another. One near a small kids ball field...the other near a very nice volleyball court, permanent corn hole pit and state of the art outdoor exercise machine area."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing challenges: Many older campgrounds have limited capacity for large rigs. At Amicalola Falls, "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. Number 18 does not look hard, but the layout is very difficult to get into. The bend halfway into the campground would be extremely difficult with much bigger than 27' camper."
Road grade considerations: Access roads can be steep. "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite," notes Traci C. at Amicalola Falls.
Hookup variations: Water and electric access differs between campgrounds. Duckett Mill offers "Easy to get too. Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites," according to Liz H., but lacks full hookups at some sites.
Seasonal availability: Not all campgrounds remain open year-round. Bolding Mill closes during winter months, with one camper noting, "Wish it was open year round. Stayed in October next to the water. It was peaceful."
