Best Dispersed Camping near Eton, GA

The mountains surrounding Eton, Georgia feature several dispersed camping areas throughout the Cohutta Wilderness and Cherokee National Forest. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, Murrays Lake Primitive, and multiple Conasauga River sites provide free, primitive camping options. These areas are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and typically consist of established clearings with basic fire rings but minimal other amenities. Most sites are located along forest service roads, creek beds, and mountain trails, providing backcountry access for those seeking primitive camping experiences.

Access to many dispersed sites requires travel on rough gravel forest service roads, with several locations best reached by vehicles with higher clearance. The Ball Field site sits at the base of Bald Mountain, while other areas border creeks and the Conasauga River. Cell service is generally limited or nonexistent throughout the region. These primitive camping areas have no running water, electricity, or toilet facilities, requiring campers to follow pack-in, pack-out principles. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during dry periods or hunting seasons.

The dispersed sites in this region provide access to notable natural features and outdoor recreation. Hikers can reach several trailheads directly from camping areas, including Tearbritches Trail leading to Bald Mountain summit and connections to the Conasauga River. Reviews note the region's wilderness character and wildlife presence. According to one visitor, "This is bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash." Another camper mentioned that while some areas remain remote, "I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas." Some sites feature wading spots in creeks and fishing opportunities, with one reviewer noting they "caught a 1 pound large mouth bass on a silver spinning lure."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Eton, Georgia (33)

    1. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    7 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"

    2. SongBird Trail Camp (Cohutta WMA)

    1 Review
    Crandall, GA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 695-6736

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

    4 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    14 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!"

    5. Conasauga River Camp

    2 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    14 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"

    6. Conasauga River - Dispersed Site Sheeds Creek Road

    1 Review
    Cisco, GA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

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

    7. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    29 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."

    8. Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    1 Review
    Reliance, TN
    20 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."

    9. Creekside Camp

    1 Review
    Reliance, TN
    20 miles

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

    10. Goforth Creek Campground A

    2 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    23 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."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Eton, GA

57 Reviews of 33 Eton 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.

  • 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.

  • Cole T.
    May. 14, 2021

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Great

    Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots. There is a campground not too far after pulling in the gravel road that has some really nice spots. The other campground requires you to drive down a gravel road for approximately 7 miles and then down some trails that require high clearance. This campground is nice and tooked into the woods with a pond nearby. There are several OHV trails in prentice Cooper and the place can get very crowded on the weekends. Definitely recommend going during the week.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Roy B.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • Michael M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Good dispersed camping at the blue hole

    It has a blue hole an caves no electricity or running water but the camp sites are pretty good. An the do have a handicap access area for rvs to do disperse camping also an parking for the bluehole ...no one to bother you!

  • Ava R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp

    Quiet but muddy

    This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday. It is a bit muddy but it is manageable.


Guide to Eton

The Cohutta Wilderness area near Eton, Georgia offers some of the most rustic camping in the Southeast, with elevations ranging from 950 to 4,200 feet throughout the region. The wilderness spans over 36,000 acres, making it the largest wilderness area in Georgia. Primitive sites are often located along forest service roads with high clearance vehicles recommended for accessing many locations.

What to do

Stargazing opportunities: Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area offers exceptional night sky viewing. "This is one of my favorite types of spots: remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains. I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way," notes camper Tyler J.

Swimming and wading: Clear waters at Conasauga River Camp provide cooling relief during summer months. According to Grayce F., the area features "a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."

Creek exploration: Many campsites border small streams ideal for afternoon soaking. At Goforth Creek, Asher K. recommends "going all the way to the end and taking a little dip. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day."

Fishing: Several sites offer fishing opportunities in creeks and rivers. The Ball Field area provides access to nearby Lake Conasauga, while smaller creeks throughout the region harbor native fish species.

What campers like

Remote atmosphere: The primitive camping near Eton attracts those seeking genuine wilderness experiences. "This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, etc). It's all pack it in, pack it out," explains Steve V. about Big Creek Primitive Camping Area.

Creek-side sites: Many campers appreciate spots adjacent to water sources. At Creekside Camp, visitors find "flat campsites next to a very nice creek," according to Bob P., though he notes there are "no picnic tables or pit toilets."

Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife including black bears. Steve V. mentions, "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."

Group camping options: Several areas accommodate larger gatherings. Gabrielle D. recounts at Ball Field, "We got to the group site at 1:20 or so and there was only one person at first but slowly people start trickling in."

What you should know

Limited amenities: Almost all rustic sites near Eton lack facilities. Karen reports that Murrays Lake Primitive offers minimal amenities: "There is a lake, but it's not all that pretty. There's a boat ramp, but the lake is small and I doubt it's worth the trouble."

Vehicle considerations: Most access roads require sturdy vehicles. Steve V. explains that Big Creek 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."

Seasonal hunting activity: Be aware of hunting seasons when planning visits. Scott E. notes, "We apparently went during hunting season. Had to have been a dog sport. Too many dogs running around and barking throughout the night."

Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. Gabrielle D. recounts, "First location was Hickey Gap, we got there around 1 on a Friday and it was full so we headed to the primitive group camping site."

Tips for camping with families

Consider backcountry readiness: Jack's River Falls Trail offers challenging but rewarding family experiences. "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls," advises Anna R.

Bring water toys: Shallow creek areas provide natural play spaces for children. Renee B. describes one site where groups can "spread out over this little 'island' very easily" with convenient water access to "filter water from."

Pack bear safety supplies: Teach children proper food storage protocols. Multiple reviewers emphasize the importance of bear awareness in the region.

Plan transportation carefully: Some families may need to adjust expectations for site access. Grayce F. notes that Conasauga River Camp is "accessible easily from a 2WD just off of a long gravel road."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Only smaller RVs and teardrop trailers can access most rustic sites near Eton. Steve V. mentions his group at Big Creek included "one with a small teardrop trailer" among their vehicles.

Level site challenges: Lost Creek Campground offers concrete pads but limited amenities. "Sites can accommodate tents and small RVs, complete with concrete picnic tables and a fire ring," according to Brittany S.

Extended stays: Plan supplies accordingly for multi-day visits. Rayley P. appreciates Lost Creek's free camping policy, noting "it's first come first serve and everyone we've met so far there have been the friendliest of people."

Self-contained requirements: No hook-ups or dump stations exist at any rustic sites in this region. Chris D. confirms Lost Creek is a "super remote area" where roads "were in decent shape" but "could see them being bad after a heavy storm."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Eton, GA is Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 33 dispersed camping locations near Eton, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.