Camping near Elberton, Georgia offers both Georgia and South Carolina options along Lake Hartwell and nearby lakes. The region features red clay soil trails and rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 60-80°F range.
What to do
Fishing access: Big Water Marina & RV Park provides excellent fishing opportunities at Lake Hartwell. "We love this spot. Most of the camp spots are not shaded, but right on the water. Boat rentals are available as well as paddle boards and kayaks," notes camper Sarah P.
Mountain hiking: Located 45 minutes northwest of Elberton, Currahee RV Park offers proximity to Currahee Mountain trails. "5 mins from Currahee Mountain and 10 mins from downtown Toccoa," reports Brett D. The park provides a convenient base for day hikers exploring the mountain's 1,735-foot summit.
Lake swimming: Many campgrounds offer swimming access, with some featuring designated beach areas. "My family and I enjoyed camping on the beach here by the lake. The campground had a lot to offer. There was a restaurant/bar, playground, Marina, stage with live bands," writes Juraj & Christine O. about their stay at a lakeside campground.
What campers like
Peaceful settings: Quiet surroundings rank high among camper preferences. "Quiet. On the lake. Diamond in the rough...though more of a piece of coal than a diamond but that is okay, not into fancy and all the amenities, we camp to get away from society," explains one camper about Plum Branch RV Park.
Lakefront views: Many campsites provide direct water access. "We had our boat, they offer a decent area for boat parking & the boat ramp/dock to access beautiful Lake Hartwell was ok!" notes Jackie J. regarding waterfront camping options.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive frequent praise. "The bathhouse & laundry facilities are super clean! It's quiet & well taken care of property," reports Carey R. about Pine Lake RV Campground, highlighting the importance of good sanitation facilities for RV camping near Elberton.
What you should know
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds feature sloped terrain. "As of right now, they are in the middle of construction to transfer over to a KOA campground. So, it's kind of noisy during working hours. The only tent sites they offer are primitive and it's a bit of a walk to the bathrooms," reports Amber H. about her experience at Georgia RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Summer months bring higher temperatures and crowds. "We stayed over 4th of July weekend. Couldn't believe how quiet it was for a holiday. There isn't anything around at all. They offer a pool but no other activities (they did have some 4th activities but it was all seasonal)," shares Amanda A. about her experience at The Point at Lake Hartwell.
Military access: Some campgrounds restrict access to military personnel and veterans. "This is a military campground," notes Rose S. about Pointes West Army Resort, an important detail for non-military campers planning trips.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: When camping with children, check for play structures. "There was a restaurant/bar, playground, Marina, stage with live bands. My kids had so much fun and can't wait to go camping here again," shares one family about their lakeside camping experience.
Swimming options: Pools provide alternatives to lake swimming. "If you're traveling with kids though-there's not much to do other than bike through campground or fish in the pond. But locally there are parks & playgrounds," advises Carey R. about recreational options at campgrounds.
Educational opportunities: Several historic sites near camping areas offer learning experiences. "We were able to get some of the best recommendations for hikes nearby. We really enjoyed getting good feedback from them. We did look online beforehand for hikes, but it was nice to get someone else's opinion," explains Ashley W. about camping with educational excursions.
Tips from RVers
Connectivity considerations: Cell service and internet access vary throughout the region. "Perfect Starlink connection from our spot and pretty likely to get it pretty well from others," reports Nick E. from Thousand Trails Carolina Landing, providing important information for remote workers.
Site selection advice: Choose carefully based on your rig size. "I can't give Carolina Landing five stars because the sites are so close together. Also, our site- A5- was super unlevel. I felt unsafe with our fifth wheel's two left tires up in the air after auto-leveling," cautions Becky P.
Elevation challenges: Many campgrounds feature significant hills. "The hill getting up to our site was steep. This place is full of big rigs, however, it is not conducive to them. Every turn is tight," notes one RVer about navigating larger vehicles through the region's terrain.
