Best Dispersed Camping near Epworth, GA

Several dispersed camping options exist near Epworth, Georgia within the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests. Primitive sites can be found at Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, Lost Creek Campground, and along the Conasauga River. The region contains multiple free camping zones accessible via forest service roads, particularly around the Cohutta Wilderness area. Most sites require no reservations and follow standard national forest regulations for dispersed camping on public lands.

The access roads to these dispersed sites typically consist of rough gravel forest service roads that may require patience to navigate. Many areas are best reached with higher clearance vehicles, though standard cars can access some locations during dry conditions. Most sites lack amenities such as running water, trash service, or toilet facilities. Cell service is minimal or nonexistent throughout the region. Campers should practice bear safety precautions when storing food and dispose of waste properly using Leave No Trace principles. Camping is generally permitted for up to 14 days in these areas.

The dispersed sites near Epworth provide excellent access to wilderness areas, hiking trails, and mountain streams. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area sits at the base of Bald Mountain with access to Tearbritches Trail and Emery Creek Trail. Sites along the Conasauga River offer swimming and fishing opportunities during warmer months. Visitors appreciate the seclusion and natural setting. "This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River." The area's remote location ensures a quiet experience for those seeking to disconnect from developed amenities.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Epworth, Georgia (50)

    1. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    15 miles
    Website

    "The lost cove campground can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN. The campground is operated and maintained by the USFS."

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

    2. Jack's River Falls Trail/Cohutta Wilderness Backcountry Group Camp

    4 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    12 miles

    "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls. Camping is primitive as back country can be but worth the trek."

    "Obviously very close to the river to filter water from. We didn't see any wildlife at this site, but we did see a copperhead at another earlier in the trip, so be aware!"

    3. Goforth Creek Campground A

    2 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    12 miles
    Website

    "This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents."

    4. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    17 miles
    Website

    "This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) "

    "This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on"

    5. Creekside Camp

    1 Review
    Reliance, TN
    11 miles

    "No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek."

    6. Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    1 Review
    Reliance, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    "This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups."

    7. Mountain Side Overlook at Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Cherry Log, GA
    13 miles
    Website

    "Nice firepit, hiking across the way. 4x4 is not required, but ground clearance makes it non-accessible to some."

    8. Conasauga River Camp

    2 Reviews
    Cisco, TN
    15 miles

    "Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."

    "My go-to spot gets picked up during the fall A lot but best dispersed site I’ve found in a while"

    9. Goforth Creek Campground B

    1 Review
    Reliance, TN
    12 miles
    Website

    "This is another large campsite that sits further up the creek and is pretty easy to find from the main trail. It is more open than site A but also a good option."

    10. Conasauga River - Dispersed Site Sheeds Creek Road

    1 Review
    Cisco, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    "Right on the river and pit toilets close by."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Epworth, GA

85 Reviews of 50 Epworth Campgrounds


  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 4, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Pretty Decent Place to Stay

    A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.

  • Kaylee D.
    Apr. 4, 2021

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Wow! Amazing primitive campsites! Each has a picnic table, fire pit/grill, and level area for 1-2 tents (a few can accommodate more if you’re ambitious), and lake views (most have lake access if you want to put in a kayak or canoe). Sites are so spread out it feels like you’re the only one on the lake! Most parking next to campsites could fit camper van or tiny trailer and at the end of the road there is a turn around space if needed; however every site has steps down to the level area (L9 has the longest straight down hill to the lake), so you won’t be parking right next to the site if that is a problem...it wasn’t for me). Just drive carefully( lots of big potholes and blind curves)! Overall, a beautiful area to set up camp (up to 14 days)! I didn’t want to leave.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Creekside Camp

    Very primitive

    No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.

  • Natalie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2024

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Quiet, nice spaces, and clean!

    Such a great find! I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again! Very quiet and clean and the sites are very well laid out and maintained! No hook ups of any kind but it’s worth it! Highway Patrol and Park Rangers patrol pretty frequently so I felt really safe as a solo female. I still took all the safety precautions but didn’t feel as necessary as some.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2021

    Siler Bald Trail Shelter TR 373

    Trail Shelter along the Appalachian Trail

    Siler Bald is not to be confused with Silers Bald, which borders the NC/TN state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Siler Bald is actually in the Nantahala National Forest and is close to Wayah Bald along the Appalachian Trail. The shelter is aptly named after the adjacent mountain bald. I first went to Siler Bald many years ago but did not go to the trail shelter. This second time, I did go to the trail shelter, which is about nine-tenths of a mile past the Siler Bald summit if you are hiking north on the Appalachian Trail. If you are hiking from Wayah Bald, it is a little over three and a half miles. Since this is a trail shelter, it does not have electrical hookups. You will need to take a water filtration system for fresh water. Instead of searching for firewood, we used my old Coleman stove for dinner. Surprisingly, there were no other groups in the shelter the night we stayed there. The best things about this trail shelter are its proximity to the Appalachian Trail, the quietness you’ll experience since it is away from major highways, and its proximity to the Siler Bald summit. The summit provides a fantastic 360 degree view since it is a grassy bald, but it is a steep climb from the base to the summit. This is not an RV campground, and you do have to pack everything in(and out). You cannot go to the store to get supplies without hiking a long way, so be prepared. Overall, I loved it because of its peace and solitude.

  • Roy B.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2022

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great peaceful spot

    The only downside to this campground is that for half of the sites the parking is across the small access road. This would be most ideal for tent camping.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.


Guide to Epworth

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Epworth, Georgia, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll be able to enjoy the great outdoors in a truly immersive way.

Dispersed campers should check out Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

  • This spot is known for its friendly atmosphere, making it a great place to meet fellow campers while enjoying the natural surroundings.
  • Each site features a concrete picnic table and fire pit, with some offering direct access to the creek for a refreshing dip.
  • The area is perfect for hiking and fishing, providing ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Epworth, Georgia

Scenic spots for dispersed campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Epworth, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Epworth, GA is Lost Creek - Cherokee NF with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Epworth, GA?

TheDyrt.com has all 50 dispersed camping locations near Epworth, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.