The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Franklin. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Franklin, GA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
R. Shaefer Heard Campground is a waterfront facility on the southern shore of West Point Lake, which spans parts of Alabama and Georgia. This man-made lake has 525 miles of shoreline that provide excellent opportunities for fishing, camping, boating and other recreational activities.
Whether sailing or power boating, West Point Lake is a boater's paradise. There are boat ramps in 34 public recreation areas around the lake, including R. Shaefer Heard, as well as two privately owned full-service marinas. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek, Rocky Point and McGee Bridge parks. Several trails wind along the lake and through the landscape, including the Lakeside Trail, which is perfect for mountain biking. A wildlife management area of nearly 10,000 acres, located at the upper end of the lake, provides habitat for many types of wildlife. This area offers excellent hunting opportunities.
Whether sailing or power boating, West Point Lake is a boater's paradise. There are boat ramps in 34 public recreation areas around the lake, including R. Shaefer Heard, as well as two privately owned full-service marinas. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek, Rocky Point and McGee Bridge parks. Several trails wind along the lake and through the landscape, including the Lakeside Trail, which is perfect for mountain biking. A wildlife management area of nearly 10,000 acres, located at the upper end of the lake, provides habitat for many types of wildlife. This area offers excellent hunting opportunities.
Surrounded by rolling fields and deep forests that display outstanding fall foliage, West Point Lake extends 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line. The campground is forested and overlooks the 25,900-acre lake.
The lake offers 25 day-use parks. While many people visit the lake to boat and camp, the parks offer a variety of other recreation facilities including tennis courts, ball fields, basketball courts, fishing piers with fish attractors, hiking trails and picnic shelters for individuals or large groups.
Changes and Cancellations: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy
$34 / night
At 9,049 acres, Georgia's largest state park is a hiker's and backpacker's haven. Many visitors are surprised to find rolling mountains 80 miles southeast of Atlanta. Above King's Gap is Dowdell's Knob where President Franklin D. Roosevelt sometimes picnicked and pondered world affairs. A life-size sculpture of the president now welcomes visitors to the overlook.
Several park amenities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, including cottages and the Liberty Bell Swimming Pool fed by cool springs. A wooded campground sits near the edge of a small fishing lake, and privately operated stables offer guided horseback rides. In 1921, FDR came to this part of Georgia to swim in naturally warm springs that offered relief from polio. Today, nearby Roosevelt's Little White House Historic Site invites visitors to see his modest home, a museum and the pools that first drew him here.
9,049 Acres 22 Cottages 109 Tent, Trailer, RV Campsites 16 Backcountry Campsites 2 Picnic Shelters Group Shelter (seats 95) Group Camp (sleep 75) Pioneer Campground 2 Lakes (15-acre Lake Delanor and 25-acre Lake Franklin) Liberty Bell Swimming Pool Trading Post
$10 / night
Seek adventure and solitude on the highest point in Alabama at Cheaha State Park.
At 2,407 feet above sea level, Cheaha State Park, located on top of Cheaha Mountain, offers breathtaking views and adventurous recreational activities and is great for camping near Birmingham. This 2,799-acre mountaintop retreat is known for spectacular sunsets and beautiful waterfalls. The park offers overnight guests and day visitors an array of activities as well as opportunities for rest. Facilities include a restaurant, hotel, cabins, chalets, camping with options that range from improved to primitive, and pavilions.
In addition to lodge rooms, cabins, and A-frame chalets, we offer improved camping in the park, semi-primitive camping near the highest point, and primitive camping near Cheaha Lake. There is also primitive camping along mountainside trails, offering campers numerous options for getting close to nature. Groups may want to consider reserving Cheaha's historic CCC Bald Rock Lodge, which has 12 bedrooms/baths with a beautiful grand hall, for retreats, family reunions, meetings and more!
Amity Campground is a waterfront facility on the western shore of West Point Lake, which spans parts of Alabama and Georgia. This man-made lake has 525 miles of shoreline that provide excellent opportunities for fishing, camping, boating and other recreational activities.
Whether sailing or power boating, West Point Lake is a boater's paradise. There are boat ramps in 34 public recreation areas around the lake, including Amity, as well as two privately owned full-service marinas. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek, Rocky Point and McGee Bridge parks. Several trails wind along the lake and through the landscape, including the Lakeside Trail, which is perfect for mountain biking. A wildlife management area of nearly 10,000 acres, located at the upper end of the lake, provides habitat for many types of wildlife.
Whether sailing or power boating, West Point Lake is a boater's paradise. There are boat ramps in 34 public recreation areas around the lake, including Amity, as well as two privately owned full-service marinas. Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek, Rocky Point and McGee Bridge parks. Several trails wind along the lake and through the landscape, including the Lakeside Trail, which is perfect for mountain biking. A wildlife management area of nearly 10,000 acres, located at the upper end of the lake, provides habitat for many types of wildlife.
Surrounded by rolling fields and deep forests that display outstanding fall foliage, West Point Lake extends 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line. The campground is forested and sits on the shore overlooking the 25,900-acre lake.
The lake offers 21 day-use parks. While many people visit the lake to boat and camp, the parks offer a variety of other recreation facilities including tennis courts, ball fields, basketball courts, fishing piers with fish attractors, hiking trails and picnic shelters for individuals or large groups.
Changes and Cancellations: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see R1S Reservation Policy
$34 / night
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.
Pine Mountain RV Resort is open all four seasons, good times are in bloom at Pine Mountain. Just an hour down the road from Atlanta, just up the road from Columbus, and just three miles from world-famous Callaway Gardens®, you’ll find our retreat nestled in the Georgia pines.
Located on magnificent West Point Lake and surrounded by the beautiful yellow pines and rolling hills of west Georgia , Highland Marina Resort is ideal for your family’s next vacation or weekend getaway. An area well known by water sport enthusiasts and fisherman alike, West Point Lake offers 27,000 acres for fishing, cruising and skiing fun. Bring your family, a fishing buddy, or just yourself and let Highland Marina Resort's 200 acres of peace and quiet relax and refresh you. If fishing is your game, get ready for the best largemouth, crappie, hybrid bass & striper fishing in the country! West Point Lake has earned the title of one of the hottest fishing lakes in the nation. Anglers from all over the world flock to this lake where six pound bass are common, the lake record largemouth bass is 14.2 pounds! Whether it’s tubing and wake boarding, fishing or jet skiing, or an incredible week of soaking up the sun on our sandy summer beach, there is always something for everyone at Highland Marina Resort . We welcome you to come relax and experience the peace and tranquility; we'll make sure your time is unforgettable. For the ultimate outdoor enjoyment, we invite you to relax and enjoy the sounds and sights of nature in our RV Park. All our campsites are nestled among tall Southern pines which offer plenty of shade and serenity. Each of our RV campsites are complete with water and electric hookups (most have sewer). The marina, boat slips and beach is only a few hundred feet away. Reservations are strongly suggested as campsites are available on a first-come, first served basis and fill quickly, especially on weekends. Sorry, no tent camping is available Open year-round. Check-in and check-out are at 12 p.m. There is a 14-day maximum stay.
Have a blast at Jellystone Park™ Bremen Georgia. We have activities for all ages. From playing outdoor sports to indoor arcade games and relaxing by the pool to hunting for treasure at our gem mining station, there’s always something fun happening around the corner.
$45 - $80 / night
A gorgeous serene park with great staff, spacious spots, beautiful views and tons of hiking!
We just bought our first RV and it was a 22 foot Class C. We decided to stay close to home to try it out, learn everything on it in a forgiving place. Chattahoochee Bend was perfect. Drive through spot for our RV with 50AMP, 30AMP, water and dump service. The place is clean, quiet and in great shape! Electric bikes made it all the more fun, since the single road in, out and all about is quite hilly. Plenty of hiking trails!
We had some flubs with this campground. We put the wrong address in our GPS resulting in us arriving too late to use the pool. Then we neglected to pick up our paperwork and had to drive back to the main building to get it and we drove past the campground host on duty so we didn’t get firewood. Our campsite was pretty: flat, spacious, shaded with trees, but it was frustrating to drive past the even prettier spots right on the lake and realize that’s what I should have booked!! Several people were out enjoying evening fishing as we drove past to our more woodsy loop.
We were here all of 12 hours - it was a nice stopover on our route further south. Really quiet and absolutely spotless bathhouse! I really was bummed about not getting to the pool (it was not open the next day) - we will come back!
I am getting back into camping for the first time in a very long time. Went to FDR State Park because it’s only about 30 minutes from home. Booking site 111 was easily done online. I arrived after the office had closed but my reservation sheet with instructions was left in a box on the door for me to pick up. Great park with nice lake for fishing, kayaking, paddle boating as well many hiking trails. Bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Visited Dowdell’s Knob which gives a fantastic view…no wonder it was FDR’s favorite picnicking site when visiting Warm Springs. I would definitely recommend and will be back, but next time will be spring or fall because summer was just too hot.
Stayed in the 500 series camping area prior to Memorial Day Weekend for two nights. The staff at check in were extremely friendly and helpful. All camping/RV spots in 500 series were well spaced, the ones nearest the lake seem a little more congested. Easy to navigate with my Solis, but a large Class A or trailer would be challenging. The bathroom/shower facilities were some of the cleanest, well kept I’ve ever seen. Hiked to Cascade Falls with my wife and our two dogs (2 miles in/2 miles out). Will definitely go back.
We loved this campground! Definitely one of our favorites. The campsites are spacious and private. The amenities are all close by and were super clean the entire time we were there. The playground is more geared toward older children, but it was very well taken care of.
Our campground hosts at the time (Dennis and Colleen) were so welcoming and friendly. They were always quick to offer a wave and friendly smile every time we saw them. Lisa, the maintenance host, was also fantastic! We enjoyed getting to know all 3 of them.
The hiking trails are all very clearly marked, and we enjoyed exploring during our time there.
The closest town is about a 45 min drive, but we didn’t mind at all. Just make sure to stock up before heading to the park.
We can’t wait to visit this park again. So far it is one of our favorites!
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Great get away camping. Nothing nearby. Talledega is 45 minutes away. No Verizon signal at all couldn’t even make a call. There is a cell phone tower on top of the mountain but not sure of the carrier. We stayed on the top campground elevation 2474ft.
I love the amenities
Very clean, very quiet, and very spacious state park. Bathhouse was nice and clean. Nice roads.. decently level pads. The views are amazing!!
Easy booking, check in, and hook up to electric and water. Beautiful, serene surroundings. We didn’t get to do all the fun stuff available like the pool and the hiking trail since it was just an overnight stop but we will be back.
Great, quiet park with lots of walking and biking trails nearby. All the sites are wooded and spaced out so you don’t have any issues with privacy. From what we could tell, all of the sites have direct lake access. We visited in July and because of the tree coverage, we were able to sit outside most of the day without getting too hot. This is definitely one of our new favorite parks!
Site 16 Back in Gravel 50 amp Water Amazing site on the water! Spacious site, plenty of privacy. Very clean cg. Bathrooms nearby, but showers are around the corner. Very clean, just older. Plenty of walking, and biking over the dam into Alabama! Beautiful lake for swimming, canoes, or kayaking.
PROS
Site 27- pull-thru gravel. Very nice moveable 6 ft metal picnic table; fire ring with cooking grate; pedestal BBQ grill
Campground very quiet Sunday-Tuesday nights
Frequent ranger drive thrus of the campground
T Mobile 3 bars
CONS
Upon arrival, power outage due to storm and lasted until dark. Check-in was not able to be completed so had to return the next day.
Paid a transaction fee for making my own on-line reservation along with a resort fee and sales tax
No senior or Veteran discount
Site 27 greatly unlevel side-to-side
Fire ring full of ash upon arrival
Street light at Site 28 that lights up all of 28 and most of 27 and 27A.
Extremely tight at checkin station. We had to park partially on AL281. There is a very small parking lot at the check-in station with no loop around
No trash receptacle in either men’s or woman’s toilets
Campground noisy Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of loud music.
Bathhouse not serviced over weekend
Large rocks throughout the campground had been painted
(by children) an unsightly vivid paint
Don’t Miss
Climbing to the top of the CCC Bunker Observation Tower
Hiking out to Bald Rock
Berman Museum in Anniston
Watch—some pull-thru sites have the camper door facing the campground roadway with the picnic table and campfire ring along the campground roadway.
This campground is so beautiful. We walked all of the loops. Some are pretty steep. We were in a buddy site that backed up to the lake. The water was a bit icky looking (not just from the red clay, but it had a layer of algae on it). We rode our bikes to the damn area, which was really cool!
Breathtaking views
Love this spacious site quite loop beautiful place
So clean friendly staff. Quite. Beautiful scenery
Campsites vary from forested and shaded to open and sunny. Most campsites offer lake views. Kayaks can be launched from some sites. Some sites are close together and others are spaced farther apart and offer more privacy. Restrooms and showers are spaced around the campground. I preferred the 17-39 section because it seemed more wooded.
The campground is well maintained. Gorgeous lake, clean plots. The problem is the lack of privacy. Even their more private spots are still just kind of in the open. If you’re seeking seclusion, which most people are when they try and get away from the city, you won’t find it here. The public bathrooms are also less than desirable. Wet concrete floors and tile walls just makes it feel dirty. For what they charge, the bathrooms should be in far better shape across the grounds. The couple that runs the visiting booth are way too strict. They legitimately lock you into the grounds after 10pm… idk how that’s legal, but they do it.
The primitive sites (for tents) were a bit close and not as private as I like.
They offer platform camping and those sites seem a bit more secluded (and are in a separate area from the tent sites).
There are 4 cabins available to reserve and they have great amenities (running water, electricity)
We looked at them once there and think next time we will do this with the kids.
2 rangers live in the park full time and there is a large welcome center/ gift shop with basics for sale should you forget anything.
We recently visited for the first time this year and I must say that this place will be on my always go list. We love the peacefulness and cleanliness of the park and the staff was wonderful. We will definitely be back a few more times this year 😁
Booked a couple of adjacent sites to explore the area with friends. The State Park is very well maintained, sites offered enough privacy, bathhouse was very clean, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Visited the Little White House State Historic site and enjoyed the Wild Safari and some good B-B-Q.
Absolutely beautiful. We went camping in March, and the weather was a little cold, but we survived, lol. If you go on the high falls trail, you must go past the creek there are more falls. This trail isn't for beginners. My only warning is if you stay in the high campgrounds be aware of the weather. We arrived when it rained all day which means very thick fog. We could only see about 10 feet in front of us while driving up the mountain.
So our family booked 2021 June to reserve two dockside cabins fully paid for and end up having a family emergency where emergency surgery was needed. Due to the severity of the situation considering brain surgery recovery time, the manager at the time gave us credit rather than a refund and said we had two years to use the credit. Since then the new owners have taken over and decided that they will not honor the credit of the business that they purchased. NOWHERE IN OUR PAPERWORK DOES IT STATE THAT THE CREDIT IS ONLY GOOD FOR ONE YEAR. The sum of the reservation was just about three grand and we have come to learn that we are no longer eligible to use our credit because of the new owners/management company. The resolution they came to was that we rebook, spend another 3 grand more on what we have already purchased and they would ever so graciously credit us one night per cabin. UNACCEPTABLE. WE WILL BE FORWARDING THIS TO THE GEORGIA CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU. WORD OF ADVICE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS RESORT. LISTEN TO THE PREVIOUS REVIEWS AS MY FAMILY DID NOT AND WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY.
Banning Mills has 2 parks. 1 that central based are ziplines..90 of them. Great place for the kids or adults who are still kids... Then there's the camp grounds that's about a mile down the road. Very impressive. 1st thing you'll notice is the key card you get at the main office. It opens up these huge Gothic iorn gates. If you don't have a key your not driving in. All the campsites are set back in the woods at different elevations and really cool. It took us about 6 months to get in here. Long waiting list. The rent was $500 a month for a 50amp spot. They have pools and hiking and fishing and zip lines and the tallest man made rock climbing wall...over 100ft tall. They have paddle boats, canoes, fish, snakes, mosquitoes... All.n.all great place. We went during the height of covid 19 so the morning buffet they have was diminished to a plate of food. Cool place.
The campground(CG) is fairly easy to get to as you follow the signs to West Point, Lake. Our RV GPS and Waze took us right to the West Point Project sign(per reservation email) that showed R. Shaefer Heard CG. Check-in at the gate was quick, and we proceeded to back-in site 106 with water and electric(50/30/20 AMP). The site entrance is lined with railroad ties, so we had to be precise with our backing. However, the road turns at the site, so you get a straight shot to back in. The reservation website states that the site is limited to a 30’ RV. We had zero problems fitting in, leveling, and parking our 39’ 5th wheel and F450. Site 106 is on the end of a row, so it has plenty of privacy, plus right on the lake. As with most COEs, the water pressure is very good, so we used a reducer. We got 2 bars on Verizon. There’s a clear shot south for satellite, and we were able to get a shot north through mature trees for Starlink. Our site was right on the water and would be an easy launch for a kayak. As we were here in early January, we pretty much had the loop to ourselves. The last time we were here was during warmer weather a couple of years ago, and this CG was pretty much full. We enjoyed walking our dogs along the CG roads. We enjoyed our two-day stay.
Good primitive campground. The spot we stayed in is a little rocky and uneven but definitely doable. Some spots are better than others as far as flatness goes. There is a water spicket at every other site. Bathhouse is accessible if nature calls. Regularly patrolled by park services. 
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Franklin, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Franklin, GA is Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Franklin, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Franklin, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
