Camping near Fort Benning spans the Eastern/Central time zone border where Georgia meets Alabama along the Chattahoochee River. Sites range in elevation from 200-400 feet with red clay soil that can become muddy after rain. Summer temperatures regularly reach 95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers more comfortable conditions with overnight lows in the 50-70°F range.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Rood Creek Park Camping offers excellent opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We watched the alligators and birds on the water. Was able to easily launch a canoe as there is a boat ramp," shares one camper. The free campground provides access to waterfront sites where visitors regularly spot various wildlife.
Mountain biking: Chewacla State Park features extensive trail systems for cyclists of all skill levels. "Many areas have killed mtb trails to ride, worth a sniff," notes a reviewer. The park includes "very aggressive mountain bike trails with challenges to test even the expert riders," making it ideal for active campers.
Historical exploration: Visit the 1832 Methodist church and pioneer cemetery near Providence Canyon. "There is a reason they call this a smaller version of the Grand canyon! There were some breath taking views," one visitor explains. The area showcases how poor farming practices created the distinctive canyon formations visible today.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Florence Marina State Park Campground receives praise for its well-designed camping areas. "We stayed on site # 16 it has full hook up. The park was busy it was Halloween they have a haunted boat ride and a hayride. Great place to spend Halloween," notes one camper who enjoyed the seasonal activities.
Family-friendly activities: Franklin D Roosevelt State Park offers numerous recreation options. "They have a lot of stuff to do there. We fished and swam, they also had a scavenger hunt that you kids loved doing," shares a parent. The campground includes multiple loops with playground access and safe areas for children to bike.
Military connections: Military personnel appreciate the amenities at specialized facilities. "Extended stay at uchee creek... The site is clean. Cable, electric, water and sewer. Lots of wildlife. If you're into C130s flying over due to being in close proximity to the US Army Airborne School, this is the place for you," mentions one long-term camper familiar with the area.
What you should know
Time zone confusion: The Chattahoochee River creates both a state boundary and time zone shift. "We would go watch sunset at the lake funny our phones read AL. time not GA time," notes one camper at Florence Marina. This can cause scheduling issues when moving between campgrounds on opposite sides of the river.
Seasonal activities: Kings Pond Fort Benning provides free, primitive camping with unique military proximity. "Although it's on post, and you can still hear training some nights, You feel as if you're a million miles away," shares a camper. This free option requires minimal planning but visitors should expect occasional training noise.
Varying cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "There was excellent Verizon phone service and LTE data, we also received about 12 very clear over the air TV stations," reports a camper at Chewacla State Park. However, at other locations "Cell service was extremely spotty so don't expect to get much in the way of cell or internet service."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near recreation areas 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," recommends a parent who visited FDR State Park with four children.
Wildlife education opportunities: COE Walter F George Lake Bluff Creek Campground offers excellent wildlife viewing for children. "Was amazed at how many deer there were!!" exclaims one visitor. The waterfront setting allows children to observe native species in their natural habitat.
Swimming options: Evaluate swimming safety at each location. "The lake has a swim platform which has an elevated diving board about 10 to 12 feet high," notes a Chewacla visitor. However, other locations warn "No swimming, alligators" making it crucial to research water access before promising swimming to children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Florence Marina, "The campground offers hookups, a table and grill. There is also a restroom and bathhouse that was very clean." Sites vary in size and placement, with "sites not on top of each other" being a common positive comment.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at select campgrounds. "72 RV Sites w 15,30, 50A/S/CATV" notes a reviewer at Military Park Fort Benning Uchee Creek Army Campground and Marina, making it suitable for extended stays. The campground provides "very nice spacious pull thru sites with full hook ups and asphalt pads."
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges. "The road into the campground has a railroad crossing that is a very rough transition for crossing, slow speed will be required when crossing these tracks," warns one RVer at Bluff Creek Campground. At Rood Creek, "The road is bumpy on the way in so take it slow."
