Tent campers seeking sites near Elberton, Georgia have several options along the shorelines of nearby lakes and within surrounding rural areas. Leroys Ferry Campground offers waterfront tent camping for $10 per night with sites spaced well apart for privacy. Denver Downs Farm provides a more open field camping experience on their 140-acre property, while Soap Creek Marina offers tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables near the water.
Most tent sites in the Elberton area feature basic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Leroys Ferry includes fire rings and picnic tables at each site, but campers need to bring their own water and pack out all trash as there are no dumpsters available. Sites are typically first-come, first-served with payment via drop box. The tent camping areas generally have dirt or grass surfaces with minimal improvements. Fell Hunt Camp offers drinking water from well sources, toilet facilities, and trash service, making it slightly more developed than other primitive tent camping options in the region.
The tent camping experience near Elberton provides good opportunities for solitude and lake access. Several campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming and fishing, with trails leading from campsites to the shoreline. Cell service can be limited in these rural tent camping areas, with visitors reporting spotty coverage even on major carriers. Despite their proximity to water, many sites maintain good spacing between campers for privacy. A visitor to Leroys Ferry commented, "I was the only camper there while all the other sites were packed. Sites are only a hundred feet or so from the lake, so I threw up a hammock and watched the sunset over the water." For those seeking affordable tent camping locations with water access, the Elberton region provides several uncrowded options within a short drive.
"10 bucks a night, sites spaced far enough apart to be comfortable, waterfront, not over crowded. I think it is worth the drive over some of the more crowded places."
"Sites are only a hundred feet or so from the lake, so I threw up a hammock and watched the sunset over the water and spent time during the day swimming."
from $10 / night
"Very quiet, little to none road noise. Overnight allowed. Clean restrooms and refilling water bottle station. Little shade."
from $5 - $150 / night
"Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything. Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe."
from $30 / night
from $33 / night
GuideSites are not level. Thousand trails is currently not investing. Any money in improving the sites. Half of the sites in the park are going back to nature. The roads are falling apart and the inclines are not big rig friendly.
RangerPetersburg is a campground with million dollar views that has become a forgotten asset of the federal government.
The property is mostly overgrown and landscape maintenance appears to be a forgotten concept, like bathhouse maintenance.
On a positive note it has been reported that the government is approving funds to restart the modernization of these once great recreation locations.
LegendHickory Knob SP CG is tucked along the shores of Lake Thurmond in South Carolina’s rolling countryside, where the pine trees stand tall, the crickets sing backup, and life slows to a more reasonable pace. It’s the only South Carolina SP with a full resort feel – which means campers get the perks of a golf course, lodge, and restaurant nearby, without losing that back-to-nature atmosphere that makes pitching a tent or leveling out an RV worth the trouble. First impressions? Think peaceful lake views with just enough activity around to keep things lively but never hectic.
The campground itself offers a mix of RV and tent sites, with electric and water hookups for the comfort crowd and wooded, shaded spaces for the purists. Campsites are fairly roomy, with picnic tables, fire rings, and enough tree cover to keep your morning coffee shaded until you’re good and ready to face the day. Bathhouses are clean and well-kept ... nothing spa-like, but not the kind where you walk out wondering if you need a tetanus shot either. Navigation is straightforward, though larger rigs should take it slow on the curves. And here’s a bonus: campers can stroll over to the resort-style amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts and even the on-site restaurant if they’re tired of hot dogs and s’mores.
The surrounding fun is where Hickory Knob shines. Lake Thurmond offers ample space for boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming, with more shoreline than your GPS can keep track of. The park itself has miles of hiking and biking trails that snake through pine forest and offer glimpses of deer, wild turkeys, and the occasional heron. For the golfers in the crowd, the 18-hole course is the centerpiece here – where else can you balance your day between kayaking coves in the morning and working on your short game in the afternoon? The nearby town of McCormick provides groceries, a few dining options and that small-town charm that feels refreshingly unhurried.
Insider Tips: (1) The waterfront campsites are the gems with west-facing spots for those Technicolor sunsets (but you'll want to book early if you can, because everyone has the same idea, right?); (2) Don’t feel like cooking? Head on over to the Hickory Knob Lodge restaurant, which while nothing fancy, this joint has solid Southern comfort food that tastes even better after a day outdoors; (3) Kayakers should launch near the group lodge cove where it’s calmer water with prime birdwatching opportunities; (4) If you like a side of nostalgia with your dessert, swing by Michelle’s in McCormick for classic Southern diner plates and pie that’ll make you rethink diets; (5) Want a 'higher' perspective? Sites further inland sit at slightly higher elevation, meaning more shade, although fewer lake views, but less wind off the water, so choose based on your style of camping comfort.
Happy Camping!
ScoutWhen we got there, another family was in our space. They said the one they reserved was overgrown with brush (a few were). We tried to call to have it resolved but no one to call. We ended up having to pick another site that was empty. That portion was very stressful after a long drive to get there. Experience was okay, the water is down a good bit right now.
GuideWe had a very nice long weekend on site 32. The sites are large and clean, the park is easy to maneuver. The water level was really low but we were still able to get our Pontoon boat in and out of the boat ramp and pulled ashore right at our site.
ScoutThis camping park is very well maintained, clean quiet and just beautiful. Even the restrooms are air-conditioned in the summertime.
RangerLet me say that we have stayed at several of the COE campgrounds in this area.
We felt that it had a lot of potential to be an extremely beautiful park but has been neglected in a few ways.
Understanding that this campground like some others in the area suffered damage from a recent hurricane and that the necessary cleanup and recovery can be a long process, much of the needs of Ridge Road appear to be neglect.
The sites and general areas are immensely overgrown and in desperate need of maintenance, and while the bathhouses are in need of renovation, general attention to cleanliness and pest control (a lot of large, live, spiders) would serve them well.
We hope the park will get the attention it needs and look forward to returning.
TravelerThe campsites are spread out. Each features a fire ring, picnic table and power/water hookups. Most sites are on the water. All of them are shaded. Summer months are the busiest. Almost no one comes in the winter. It's very serene.
RangerWe stayed at Site #45, and it quickly became one of our favorite campsites because it felt more like a wooded overlook, perched above the lake. The breeze coming off the water kept us comfortable enough to enjoy a campfire even on a hot August evening.
The site fit our 14x10 tent comfortably, but I wouldn’t recommend anything larger. There isn’t a true tent pad, and you’ll notice the slope while sleeping—but the view from inside the tent was priceless. We experienced a four-hour thunderstorm and didn’t have any standing water at our site afterward.
⚠️ The slope becomes much steeper near the shoreline, so I wouldn’t recommend this site for toddlers or anyone with mobility concerns.
🛝 Our 7-year-old loved fishing from the shoreline and thought the steep slope made the perfect slide to get back down to the water. Built-in slide + dirty shorts = happy camper. 😂
🔥 The site includes a clean fire ring with an adjustable cooking grate and a separate standing charcoal grill.
🦟 We didn’t have any issues with mosquitoes during our stay.
🚰 The shared water pump wasn’t working during our visit.
🚽 The bathhouse was spacious, clean, and only a short walk away.
🚗 A community wagon is parked near the bathhouse for campers to use when hauling gear between their vehicle and campsite. Loved that!
A few tips:
🪵 The Visitor Center sells $6 bundles of firewood and has a nice selection of souvenirs.
🐜 Plenty of flies and large ants, so keep your food put away and your tent zipped.
🪲 Cicadas were loud at night. I loved it, but our 7-year-old slept with his wireless headphones on. If you’re a light sleeper, you may want to pack earplugs if you’re camping here June-August.
🎣 We caught more bluegill fishing from our campsite than we did from the fishing dock.
🌅 If you’re looking for one of the best views in the campground and don’t mind sleeping on a slight incline, Site #45 is well worth considering.
Tent camping opportunities near Elberton, Georgia extend beyond the popular lakeside areas to include seasonal hunt camps and marina locations. This eastern Georgia region sits at elevations between 400-600 feet in the Piedmont plateau, creating varied terrain for campers. Most primitive camping options remain open year-round, though seasonal hunt camps like Fell Hunt Camp operate only from September through early January.
Fishing from shorelines: At Raysville Marina, campers access multiple fishing spots along Clarks Hill Lake. "Absolutely love this place. However hard to get a spot because so many people pay monthly and leave there campers. Staff is wonderful. No bathhouse," notes Jerry F.
Hiking nearby trails: The camping field at Denver Downs Farm connects to walking paths across the 140-acre property. A visitor mentioned, "Very well maintained. We came here on Thanksgiving weekend because all other campgrounds were full. We were the only people here."
Water activities: Swimming and boating access make Soap Creek Marina popular during summer months. "There's a small restaurant located onsite along with a small store. Nice walking trails which makes this a great getaway spot," reports one camper who visited the area.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers at Fell Hunt Camp appreciate the clean toilet facilities and drinking water access. Brittany S. commented, "The water in the spouts is well water and delicious. Would be a great spot for some group camping!"
Privacy between sites: The layout at many Elberton-area campgrounds provides good separation between camping spots. Adam V. noted about Denver Downs Farm, "There are no defined campsites we could see. Just a giant field to set up and camp. There is no water or any hookups. You will need to pack in and pack out everything."
Affordability: Budget-conscious campers find Leroys Ferry Campground particularly appealing. "Great place for the whole family for fishing and camping," says Stevie W., highlighting the value for families seeking economical outdoor recreation.
Limited facilities: Most primitive camping areas require self-sufficiency. Raysville Marina visitor Jada G. shares, "Customer service when open in the off season! Friendly, accommodating, very responsive," indicating that service availability varies seasonally.
Water access conditions: Sites near water may have unimproved paths to shorelines. Daniel D. explains about Leroys Ferry Campground, "Most of the campsites have access via trails to the lake. It's clean with easy access and most sites are very easy to navigate. The pit toilets were kept very clean."
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis with drop boxes for payment. Some sites like Sunset Campground require calling ahead, though one camper reported communication challenges: "Very rude and unhelpful said he would call me back to let me know if there was any openings. He never called back."
Group camping options: Fell Hunt Camp offers multiple sites arranged in a circle. "20+ campsites in a circle for tent campers and some additional ones on the side for equestrian campers and their horses," reports Brittany S., making it conducive for family gatherings.
Seasonal activities: Denver Downs Farm offers additional activities during harvest season. "The event area, when open could be busy and noisy during the day, but is was very quiet and peaceful," notes Adam V., suggesting families time visits accordingly.
Swimming accessibility: For families with children, consider water safety at lakeside camping areas. A Soap Creek Marina visitor mentioned "Pull-up RV or tent spots with fire pits and picnic tables," noting the convenience for families needing to monitor children near water.
Leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain. One Leroys Ferry visitor notes, "You can fit an RV on most sites, although they aren't all completely level."
Limited hookups: Most camping areas near Elberton provide minimal services for RVs. Campers must plan accordingly for water, waste, and power needs.
Highway proximity: Sites like Denver Downs Farm offer advantages for larger vehicles. "Very close to I-85 and easy to get to. Feels very safe. A little highway noise, but not bad," advises Adam V., highlighting the accessible location for RVs traveling through the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elberton, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elberton, GA is Leroys Ferry with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Elberton, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Elberton, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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