Campsites near Ellerslie, Georgia occupy central western Georgia's rolling terrain, approximately 35 miles northeast of Columbus. Most established camping locations sit at elevations between 700-900 feet, providing moderately cooler temperatures than lower-lying areas during summer months. The region experiences typical southeastern humidity with temperature swings of 20-30°F between daytime highs and overnight lows even during peak summer camping season.
What to do
Hiking trails at FDR State Park: The park features multiple trail systems accessible directly from the campground areas. "There is some awesome yoking near by, as well as some very well marked trails in the area," notes one camper at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground. Many trails connect to the wider Pine Mountain Trail network, offering routes from 1-23 miles in length.
Water activities on Lake Harding: Boat docks at waterfront sites allow campers to keep their vessels accessible throughout their stay. "Very nice camp ground owned by Ga Power! It is taken very good care of! Right on the lake!" reports a visitor to Blanton Creek Campground. Fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish remains productive year-round with early morning and evening hours yielding best results.
Visit nearby attractions: The area provides easy access to several regional destinations within 15-20 miles. "Very clean and family friendly place. Trading post available for firewood And supplies. Also short drive from the animal safari, and Callaway Gardens," explains a camper at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park.
What campers like
Spacious campsites with amenities: Most established campgrounds provide well-maintained sites with standard facilities. "We were on site 213 and 214. Beautiful wooded site lots of space between sites in this loop. Very short walk to lake. Loop 1 sites are lake front and lake view but more close together than we like," explains a visitor to Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground.
Clean facilities throughout: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in camper reviews across multiple locations. "The bathhouse is heated and has five toilet stalls and four nicely tiled showers with benches," notes one visitor about Blanton Creek Campground.
Kid-friendly recreation options: Families with children find numerous activities available at nearby campgrounds. "My four kids and I had a blast at FDR state park. They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing," reports one parent who stayed at Franklin D Roosevelt State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekends and prime sites. "We stayed in site 185. While it was one of the more expensive sites in the park it was well worth it," explains a visitor to Pine Mountain RV Resort, highlighting that site selection impacts both cost and experience quality.
Seasonal temperature considerations: Summer camping requires preparation for heat. Shaded sites provide significant relief compared to open areas, with temperature differences of 10-15°F between sun and shade. "We had a great view of the lake, but after 5:00 the place filled up quickly. If you want an unobstructed view of the lake you should rent a lakeside spot. But we had plenty of trees to string the hammock on, whereas the lakeside spots have fewer trees," notes a camper describing the trade-offs.
Cell service variability: Mobile reception varies significantly by provider and exact location. "Verizon LTE is one tiny bar, but webpages and videos load, albeit slow," reports a visitor to Blanton Creek Park. Coverage tends to be strongest near developed campgrounds and weakest in valley areas and remote lake coves.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for easier supervision. "We camped in campground 5 and from where our site was we could see the playground and also let our kids ride there bikes around the circle that the camp sites where on," explains a visitor to R. Shaefer Heard Campground.
Water safety considerations: Lake access points vary in depth and bottom conditions. "We stayed at site 96 and we tent camped. The spot was recommended in another review and it was wonderful. Right beside the water so the kids were able to play in the water most of the time," shares one parent who visited R. Shaefer Heard Campground with children.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer ranger-led programs during summer months. "First time I came here, I was about 12 years old. I returned when I bought my first camper at 34 years old and wanted to test it out for the first time. 3rd time, I brought my wife to show this amazing place. Great camping spots with lots of trees and a creek running through," recounts a repeat visitor to Franklin D Roosevelt State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds feature sloped sites requiring additional equipment. "Not really any hiking to do other than take a walk around the campground that's huge. Lake sites are huge and well spaced out with plenty of shade and privacy, others seemed packed in," notes an RV camper at R. Shaefer Heard Campground.
Power reliability issues: During peak usage periods, electrical systems at some campgrounds experience strain. "30 amp circuit was not adequate. The breaker continually tripped while using small kitchen appliances," reports a visitor to Pine Mountain RV Resort.
Site selection for larger rigs: Campground layouts vary significantly regarding accommodation for longer vehicles. "Very nice spacious pull thru sites with full hook ups and asphalt pads," explains a visitor to Uchee Creek Army Campground, noting that site dimensions and surface quality directly impact setup ease.
