454 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campers heading to Dawsonville, Georgia will find several state parks within driving distance for overnight stays. Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground draws many visitors who come for the hiking trails that wind through the impressive canyon. Families tend to prefer Tugaloo State Park Campground where kids can swim and adults can fish during the day. Both parks connect to good roads that make getting in with gear fairly simple. During summer and holiday weekends, you'll want to book ahead since the better sites get claimed quickly. Some campsites sit closer together while others give you more space from neighbors. Trees cover many sites, but not all, so bringing a canopy might help during hot days. Each campground has basic bathroom facilities and tables for meals. Before lighting a campfire, check if any burn bans are active in the area. Most campers can stay up to two weeks before needing to move on. While standard camping doesn't require special permits, double-check the park websites for any changes to this policy. Many locals consider April-May and September-October the best months to visit when temperatures feel comfortable. July and August get quite humid, so pack extra water bottles and sunscreen. The combination of trails and water activities makes Dawsonville's nearby campgrounds worth the trip.
"It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."
"If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be."
"It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted."
"Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no"
from $20 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Site 10 (on water) and 38 (next to playground."
"Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)"
from $26 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Close to Cumming, Dawsonville and Gainesville. Right on the lake with boat ramps and kayak/paddle board rentals on site. Decent showers, cheap laundry (1 dollar to wash, 1 dollar to dry)."
"This site was a nice distance away from the RV focused campsites at the same location."
from $20 - $240 / night
Check Availability"Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."
"Vogel State Park is hands down one of the nicest parks in Georgia. It has great hiking trails for every level of hiker, and a very beautiful lake that's great for fishing and paddling."
from $30 - $260 / night
Check Availability"Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times."
"Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks."
from $26 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Situated at the far north end of Lake Lanier, this Georgia state park is awesome! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites!"
"This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier. It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area. "
from $25 - $225 / night
Check Availability"Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming."
"Grounds were great with easy access to the lake."
from $20 - $36 / night
Check Availability"The bathrooms were close to the site. We had a great family time here!! Deer were roaming thru the campsite.. so many!! I loved the fresh Georgia air and the atmosphere was just so relaxing!!"
"Overall a nice and quite campground on Lake Lanier that’s not a COE campground. Easy to navigate and locate the sites. All have water views, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills."
"There was a nice flat area to set up food, bonfire, chairs, games and to lounge around with family and the dogs. Bathrooms were nice and close to campground, within walking distance."
"Communication with the main number for the campground went through the Margaritaville Campground nearby. Separate direct lines to the camp office and security were provided after arrival."
ScoutWe stayed at one of the tent sites. Power and water at each side was a huge bonus. They had converters you could borrow for free for the plug. Bathrooms are old, but very well maintained and clean. For kids there’s 2 playgrounds, a fishing/ swimming pond, hiking trails. They told us they can also do pony rides but we never made it to the stables. We loved our stay and would definitely go back!
TravelerAlong the side of the ocoee riveting benton tn
ScoutWe have been here twice. Site 10 (on water) and 38 (next to playground. The sites are huge, everything is clean, hot steady flow water can be tricky but as a mom of 7, I love that it feels secluded but is close to target and Publix! Love this place and it is our go to when we visit the North Georgia Revival. Highly recommend!
GuideWe have now been to this campground three times - twice in the fall and now this last time in the spring. The fall foliage is beautiful and it's fun to get apples and such in Ellijay.
This time, there was definitely more boat and Jet Ski traffic, but did not take away from the beauty of the campground. The bathroom is older, but clean, and a bit of a hike down a hill and then back up the hill from the loop we were in, but not bad. We were glad to have a clean place to shower, nevertheless. There are lots of trees and the sites are rather spacious and nice, having water and electric hookups. Our site was lovely with a concrete pad and nice deck.
We have Verizon and had service at the site. We enjoyed our little mountain getaway very much!
TravelerI stayed at the walk- in campsites with waterfront view and access to walk down to the water. There is no electric at site and water didn’t work. The bathroom facilities are well maintained and whole place is really clean. This site was right next to parking other 3 are close but wagon recommended to haul items to other walk on sites.
TravelerVery nice camp grounds 12 bucks a night got to love that
ScoutGorgeous campground on the lake with excellent facilities. Priority along the lake front is given to tent sites, which is nice. There's a mix of sizes for small campers and big RVs so it never feels crowded. Not a huge amount to do in the area except chill on the lake or at your site in the woods... which is fine by me. The one shortcoming was difficult lake access from the campground. There are plenty of beach areas when the lake is low but getting to them can be challenging. There's a public beach in another part of the park but we didn't go there.
TravelerVogel has always been one of our favorites. We have camped here for more than 50 years. Vogel has been around for over 95 years and the state has done a really good job maintaining and improving the park. They have redone most of the sites within the last several years. Because the campground is so old, the roads can be narrow and the sites a challenge for the giant rigs that have become popular today. There is a new visitor center with great views of the lake. During our April 2026 visit, the lake was completely drained for maintenance on the dam.
Vogel is one of the few campgrounds where you can actually camp under a dense canopy of old trees. If you want to escape the campgrounds that feel like you are parked in a Walmart parking lot, give Vogel a try.
GuideQuaint/quiet and tranquil spot. Right on the Ocoee River. Packed during the weekends with pretty right spots but it’s an awesome setting with less traffic during the week. A lot of mountain bikers and whitewater enthusiasts.
Camping sites near Dawsonville, Georgia include forest service campgrounds and county-run facilities along Lake Lanier. Dawsonville sits at 1,200 feet elevation in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows around 30°F. Most area campgrounds remain open from March through October with limited winter availability at select locations.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Amicalola Falls State Park Camping, access Georgia's tallest waterfall. "This 730ft cascading waterfall is accessible by stairs and bridge from top to bottom. Its proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better," notes Fain H. The main waterfall trail includes over 400 steps from base to summit.
Kayaking on Lake Lanier: Paddle directly from your campsite at Bolding Mill. "We have stayed here several times now and love it. Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)," shares Christy C. Kayak rentals available at multiple locations for $25-35 per half day.
Trout fishing: Three Forks Campground offers creek access for anglers. "Three trout streams, waterfalls, the AT. Only accessible by hiking or the unpaved forest service road," reports Kayla S. A Georgia fishing license required, available online for $15/day or $45/annual for residents.
Waterfront sites: Duckett Mill offers direct lake access. "Very relaxing Campground with spacious sites right on the water. Clean bathrooms and bathhouse. Pet friendly," writes Brett D. Most waterfront sites include private paths to the shoreline.
Wildlife viewing: Bald Ridge Creek supports diverse wildlife. "Trees block heavy winds from north and west. We tested out our first pop-up camper here. Close by and clean amenities. Very friendly staff," notes Nick C. Multiple campers report deer sightings at dawn and dusk near campsite edges.
Privacy between sites: Sites at several campgrounds offer natural screening. "The sites are very well maintained. We come here often, as it's only a 35 minute drive from home!" comments Pam about Bald Ridge Creek. Campsites numbered in the 60-75 range typically offer the most separation between neighbors.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have steep entrance roads. "Nice state park with good amenities. Loved the hike and waterfalls. Roads are extremely steep getting to the campground," Kevin B. warns about Amicalola Falls. RVs longer than 30 feet may struggle with access roads at several area campgrounds.
Alcohol restrictions: Rules vary significantly between facilities. "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets," reports Rick B. about Shady Grove Campground. Fines can exceed $250 per violation.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Three Forks offers minimal amenities. "If you like primitive camping versus all that campground nonsense this is a great area. Bring everything as there's nothing around to purchase stuff, you're literally out in the forest," advises R C. No potable water or toilets available at these remote sites.
Playground access: Don Carter State Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and its just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept," reports Cameron G. The playground area includes swings and climbing equipment for ages 4-12.
Insect preparation: Pack appropriate protection for warm weather camping. "They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth," mentions Traci C. about her teens' experience at Amicalola Falls. Higher elevation sites typically have fewer mosquitoes than lakeside locations.
Swimming options: Lake Lanier provides swimming areas at multiple campgrounds. "Almost all the campsites are on lake lanier some are heavily wooded beautiful views and nice lake breezes," Peter N. notes about Bolding Mill. Designated swimming beaches include shallow areas marked off for younger children at Don Carter and Bald Ridge Creek.
Site selection for large rigs: Choose carefully based on vehicle length. "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," advises Soren B. about Amicalola Falls. Sites at Duckett Mill require extra care: "This site was twice the cost as most of the other campsites on lake lanier. With worse amenities," warns Tiffany B.
Dump station access: Plan for potentially busy times. "Single dump station tends to line up on Sunday but I suppose that's part of the deal," AR M. mentions about Bald Ridge Creek. Most campgrounds have only one dump station, creating morning delays during peak checkout periods.
Temperature considerations: Lake sites provide cooling effects during summer. "It was January and basically had the place to ourselves," notes Soren B. about winter camping at Amicalola Falls. RVs parked on asphalt at Don Carter State Park experience significantly higher interior temperatures during summer months due to limited shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping in Dawsonville, GA typically cost?
Camping costs near Dawsonville vary by amenity level and location. Don Carter State Park Campground offers sites with great lake access starting around $30-40 per night for standard sites with hookups. Doll Mountain Campground on Carter's Lake provides more affordable options with sites typically ranging from $18-30 per night. For budget-conscious campers, primitive camping at several nearby areas can be found for under $15 per night, while some dispersed camping locations in national forest land offer free options. Most state park campgrounds charge additional parking fees of $5 per vehicle. Always check reservation requirements, as many popular sites book up months in advance, especially during peak summer and fall seasons.
What are the best campgrounds in Dawsonville, GA?
The Dawsonville area offers several exceptional camping options. Vogel State Park Campground stands out with its scenic mountain location, well-maintained facilities, and manicured sites perfect for families. Fort Mountain State Park Campground is another favorite, offering private wooded sites at higher elevation that provide natural cooling in summer months. Both parks feature clean bathrooms and plenty of recreational opportunities. For those seeking lakeside camping, several options around Lake Lanier provide water access and spacious sites. RV campers particularly appreciate the generous site spacing and hookup options at many of these campgrounds. The best time to visit is spring through fall, with October offering spectacular foliage views and cooler temperatures.
Are there hiking trails near the camping areas in Dawsonville?
Dawsonville's camping areas offer excellent access to diverse hiking trails. Raven Cliff Falls features beautiful hiking paths including access to its namesake waterfall trail, though be prepared for high weekend traffic. Panther Creek Recreation Area provides scenic trail options within the Cohutta Wilderness with varying difficulty levels. For mountain biking enthusiasts, Jackrabbit Mountain offers trails that connect directly to the campground. Many local state parks maintain well-marked trail systems ranging from easy lake loops to more challenging mountain ascents. The north Georgia mountains surrounding Dawsonville feature numerous trail options within a short drive, making the area ideal for hikers seeking everything from brief nature walks to serious day hikes.
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