RV campgrounds near Ellijay, Georgia operate in a mountainous region with elevations ranging from 1,280 to 1,600 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while fall temperatures drop to 55-65°F. Weather conditions can change rapidly due to the north Georgia terrain, affecting camping access particularly during winter months when some mountain roads may become hazardous.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Diamond Lure Campground features a lake stocked for fishing with convenient shoreline access. "There's a little beach to swim in or go fishing, etc. I went during Memorial Day weekend so every campsite was being used," notes one camper, while another adds, "Scenery is wooded and rustic with a tranquil lake on the property."
Hiking trails: Multiple walking paths exist within campground properties and connect to larger regional trail networks. At Diamond Lure Campground, "There are gorgeous, peaceful walking trails that are decorated really well!" For more challenging hikes, Chilhowee Recreation Area offers "25 miles of hiking and biking trails starting right from our campsite."
Water recreation: The Ocoee River provides kayaking and rafting opportunities near several Ellijay area campgrounds. At Whitewater RV Park - Ocoee TN, one visitor reports, "We spent the day hiking the mountain next to rv park. Then went kayaking down the river across the street."
What campers like
Mountain views: Several campgrounds offer elevated sites with scenic vistas. At Talona Ridge RV Resort, campers note that "Eagle Crest sight[s] have the best views" while another reports, "We were on the middle level, which had a mixture of pull-throughs and back-ins."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds provide swimming facilities ranging from lakes to pools. A visitor at Blue Ridge RV Resort mentions "kids loved playing in the creek that the owners have stocked regularly with trout, nice playground and pool for the kids."
Dog amenities: Pet owners appreciate dedicated facilities at certain campgrounds. At Diamond Lure Campground, "They have walking trails, a lake, a beach, and they even have things for dogs! (Dog bath, dog beach, dog park, ect)." Similarly, Talona Ridge offers a "nice sized dog park that has separate areas for large and small dogs."
What you should know
Seasonal demand: Fall apple festival season creates high occupancy throughout the area. One camper at Diamond Lure noted, "We went during the Ellijay apple festival, so they were busy, but the campground was great!" Advance reservations become essential during this period.
Cell service variations: Coverage differs significantly between providers and campground locations. At Talona Ridge RV Resort, users report "We got 4 bars on Verizon and T-Mobile," while at Chilhowee "there is NO AT&T in spite of what this site says. You may get a weak signal on the other side, but it's spotty at best."
Elevation challenges: Mountain terrain affects both driving conditions and site layouts. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, campers warn "Coming up the mountain has some steep grades and a few switch backs that you can't see around. There are often oncoming vehicles who are often driving to fast."
Tips for camping with families
Campground amenities: Several RV campgrounds near Ellijay provide family-specific facilities. Blue Ridge RV Resort features "a soccer field also and Cornhole boards," while Diamond Lure has "a little beach to swim in" that appeals to children.
Loop selection: At Chilhowee Recreation Area, "Loops A&B are closest to the lake and looked great for groups, or folks with kids. Loops E&F were a bit more secluded, and better fit for couples, dogs that don't like a lot of passersby."
Waterfall hikes: Several easy trails lead to waterfalls appropriate for family exploration. Chilhowee offers "the Benton Falls hike and it was lovely! 3 miles RT," while another visitor mentions "Fairly easy trail to see beautiful waterfall. Pet friendly."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Campground layout affects privacy and convenience. At Parksville Lake RV Campground, "The R.V. sites are well shaded and well spaced and many will accomodate large R.V.'s. Several sites offer the opportunity for two R.V.'s to camp close together."
Low bridge awareness: Several key access routes have height restrictions. One Talona Ridge visitor noted "As our Brinkley G3500 is 13' 8" high, we routed to miss a 13' 7" bridge on a small portion of US-76 just off of US-411. Instead of taking the left turn onto US-76, we stayed on US-411 down to GA-136."
Dump station logistics: Facilities vary significantly between rv campgrounds in Ellijay, Georgia. At Chilhowee, "There is only one dump station and it's on the other side of the campground. From the B loop, you have to traverse about a 120 degree switchback to get to it."
