Camping spots near Eatonton, Georgia are positioned within the Oconee National Forest region at elevations between 400-600 feet. This central Georgia location experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing nights. The camping areas near Eatonton feature substantial hardwood forest cover with pine stands throughout most campgrounds.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Old Salem Park Campground offers a beach area for families seeking water recreation. According to Bridget S., "We have been going here since I was a kid. Now I take my kids to old salem. Its great. They have playgrounds and a beach. A Pavillion area for party's and lots of lake to fish on."
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Lawrence Shoals Campground maintains trails for various skill levels, including advanced options. A recent visitor notes, "If you like trails, there is an abundance and some are multi use so bring your mountain bike. They have some black diamond mountain bike trails as well for the more experienced."
Kayaking on the lakes: The Eatonton area lakes provide calm waters for paddling. At Lake Sinclair Campground, Samuel G. observed, "It was a nice area. We were on campsite 11 right by a little fishing pier. Nice views of the lake from the campsite."
Educational hiking: Local trails feature informational markers about regional ecology and history. According to a Lawrence Shoals visitor, "Some of the walking trails have signs along them for historical markers, or just descriptions of the local flora and fauna."
What campers like
Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campers frequently mention the generous sizing of campsites in the region. A visitor to Old Salem Park Campground stated, "Site 80 was pretty flat and easy to get level with plenty of room. Site is right on the main road but that surprisingly didn't bother us. Not on the water but water views."
Clean shower facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise at Georgia Power properties. One Lawrence Shoals visitor remarked, "The showers and restroom facilities are the cleanest I've ever experienced, hot water was abundant. The only thing that may be lacking are hooks to hang your towels."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple piers and lake access points make fishing accessible. Bridget S. commented on Old Salem Park, "Lots of lake to fish on. We love it."
Laundry accessibility: Several campgrounds offer on-site laundry facilities. Leigh R. noted about Old Salem, "Laundry on site (not free- so bring quarters) beach area at end of camp ground."
What you should know
Ant problems: Several campgrounds in the area report significant ant issues. At Old Salem Park, Jeffrey L. shared, "Woke up the first morning and found a line of ants up every stabilizer and the tongue jack. Went to the local Home Depot and got spray and that slowed them down but effectively trapped the ones already there."
Limited hiking compared to other state parks: While trails exist, they're not the primary attraction. Mike B. noted about Old Salem, "Great place for kids and boating if you're looking for wilderness trails this is not the place."
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "Cell phone service is very spotty in the park but that is alright with us, camping is about getting AWAY and enjoying the outdoors, not staring at your electronic devices!"
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Lawrence Shoals typically operates from mid-April through mid-December, while Old Salem Park operates from February through November.
Tips for camping with families
Find playgrounds at specific loops: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Bridget S. observed at Old Salem Park, "They have playgrounds and a beach. A Pavillion area for party's and lots of lake to fish on. We love it."
Reserve water-view sites early: Waterfront campsites book quickly, especially during summer. James S. advised, "Wish we would have stay at a site on the water because we like to bank fish."
Look for life jacket lending programs: Some beaches offer safety equipment at no cost. Leigh R. mentioned at Old Salem Park by Georgia Power, "This area is clean well kept and child friendly. Bathrooms/showers are clean. Playground area is nicely kept and safe."
Consider weekday visits: Weekends can become extremely crowded at popular campgrounds. One camper at Hard Labor Creek noted, "The weekend nights were so crowded with cars spilling into the camp roads, loads of large groups at each site. Felt very claustrophobic. On weekdays the park became a (lovely) ghost town."
Tips from RVers
Check bridge clearances before arrival: Some access routes have low clearances that can damage taller rigs. A visitor to North Shore Landing warned, "Depending on the road you take in watch for a low train bridge that appears tall but the road goes up on the other side and it will get you."
Prepare for uneven sites: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain requiring leveling equipment. At Hard Labor Creek, a camper mentioned, "Very hilly within the campground but wide roads."
Dump station locations vary: Some campgrounds have inconveniently placed dump stations. At Old Salem, one RVer reported, "The dump station and dumpster isn't the most convenient to get to when leaving but it was as clean as a dump station can be."
Proximity to supplies: Most camping areas near Eatonton have good access to nearby towns for necessities. A visitor to North Shore Landing noted, "Nearby you can find a Home Depot for any camping supplies you might need to deal with unexpected issues."
