Best Equestrian Camping near Franklin, GA
Are you looking for a place to stay in Franklin with your horse? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Franklin, GA (5)
1. R. Shaefer Heard Campground
West Point, Georgia34 Reviews•168 Photos•167 SavesOverview
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.
Recreation
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.
Natural Features
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Charges & Cancellations
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
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$34 / night
2. Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Pine Mountain Valley, Georgia53 Reviews•252 Photos•234 SavesAt 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
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$10 / night
3. Little Tallapoosa Park
Carrollton, Georgia15 Reviews•22 Photos•90 SavesLittle Tallapoosa Park is 256 acres and includes: 7 miles of natural trails 2.5 miles of paved trails 7 acre open meadow for events, disc golf, and more 32 tent/pop-up campsites with 120-Watt electric hookup 23 RV campsites with water, sewer, and power hookups All sites have picnic table and fire ring with grill Equestrian parking Comfort station with bathroom, showers, washer, and dryer Small pond for fishing 17 Geocaches
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$30 / night
4. McIntosh Reserve Park
Whitesburg, Georgia10 Reviews•18 Photos•33 SavesThe McIntosh Reserve Park is 527 acres packed with history, trails, a splash water park, pavilions, and sweeping frontage on the Chattahoochee River. The park is a favorite of hikers and equestrian riders. Park Hours McIntosh Reserve Park is open year round except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Park office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. The park is open: 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. (Summer) 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. (Winter) Reservations Camping and pavilion reservations may be made by phone or in person Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Location McIntosh Reserve Park is located 35 miles southwest of Atlanta along the Chattahoochee River and can be reached by U.S. Alternative 27 from Carrollton or Newnan and Georgia Highway 5 from Douglasville. Direct access to the park is provided by a county-maintained road that connects with Georgia Highway 5 at 2 miles west of Whitesburg.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5. Coleman Lake Rec Area
Fruithurst, Alabama14 Reviews•29 Photos•82 SavesThe newly renovated Coleman Lake Recreation Area is peacefully nestled into the Talladega mountains. For recreationists who want to get away from the crowds, but want a few modern conveniences, Coleman Lake Recreation Area is your place to be. There are 39 campsites with water and electrical hookups, bathhouses, 29 picnicking units, a 21-acre lake and access to the Pinhoti Trail. Two new comfort stations and seven camping sites are fully accessible for the physically challenged. Most sites will accommodate recreational vehicles up to 35 feet in length. A picnic shelter that seats 40 is available on a first come, first serve basis, or it can be reserved for $15.
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Franklin
126 Reviews of 5 Franklin Campgrounds
Tia K.
Guide
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Go-to Campsite
Great for spring/summer camping, kind camp hosts, and great fun paddleboarding and jetskiing on Lake West Point. My family’s go-to spot!
- W
Wendy L.Guide
Coleman Lake Rec Area
Fun forest find
Great camping option for first come. Glad to get plenty of options for sites. Long drive in. Hosts were great and even deliver firewood to your site. Clean bathrooms, showers, and overall campground. Only had one guest with many kids playing late into night, past quite hours (if any are posted), but we found out it was Fall break and kids were out of school all week. Great hike around the lake and boatramp for trolling motors only.
Angela C.
Ranger
Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Pretty state campground
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!
- Allen S.Guide
Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Nice site, well maintained
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.
- TTimothy M.
ScoutFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Beautiful and Clean Campground
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.
- Deb F.
Traveler
McIntosh Reserve Park
Macintosh Reserve
The best place to camp Fish Enjoy the Chattahoochee
Brian and Janet S.GuideColeman Lake Rec Area
Quiet, friendly, and affordable
We spent one night here on the way down to Florida. It is first come first serve and we had no issue finding a space on a Thursday. The lake and surrounding area are full of birds and wildlife. The sites are well maintained, level, with clean bathrooms. So happy we stumbled on this national forest campground!
No cell service. Poorly marked trail around the lake, still worth checking out! Just follow the lake!
- JJason G.Traveler
Coleman Lake Rec Area
Lake Life
This is a great camping spot with a beautiful lake. The trail around the lake was perfect. Caught 3 bass in the lake. You can't beat the price.
Micheal S.TravelerColeman Lake Rec Area
Great "Away From It All" Camping
Great campground. Secluded with electrical and water hookups. Make sure you use Highway 78 to enter. Google Maps will send you on a 11.5 mile mountain trail ( Dugger Mountain Road) that is a dirt 2 track over the mountain...an interesting trip with a camper. The campground is very well maintained. The bath house is very clean and up to date. Sites are level and we'll spaced
Crystal G.ScoutFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Great 👍
I love the amenities
- CCharles B.Traveler
Coleman Lake Rec Area
Great campsites at a fantastic price
Beautiful campsites near a small lake. Very quiet. Forest Service campground with electric and water. $16 a night or $10 with senior pass. No cell service- a big plus for me!
Pam & Steve S.GuideFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Nature at its best
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.
Caitlin S.GuideR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Spacious lakefront sites
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!
Lauren W.
LegendR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Fantastic
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.
Lorilee S.RangerR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Beautiful campground
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!
Julie S.Scout
Little Tallapoosa Park
Enjoyed our stay!
Very quiet, secluded area! We love the splash pad!
- DDavid M.Traveler
Coleman Lake Rec Area
Well-equipped campground by a pretty lake
Popular campground with 39 sites, water & electric, flush toilets and shower. $16/nt. Overflow area has no hookups. Lake is pretty and fish are accommodating. We had site #30, and did not feel crowded at all despite the campground being full. County Rd 500 was overgrown and twisty. Presence of 35’ trailers suggests there’s a better way in (maybe FS500 or FS548?)
- nnataeTraveler
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Lovely
Breathtaking views
- nnataeTraveler
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Private
Love this spacious site quite loop beautiful place
- nnataeTraveler
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Beautiful sunsets
So clean friendly staff. Quite. Beautiful scenery
Terry P.GuideR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Nice lake for kayaking
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.
- JJ A.Guide
R. Shaefer Heard Campground
Too open
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.
Rick G.LegendFranklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
Great Spring Trip
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.
MickandKarla W.LegendR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Nice COE
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.
- AApril J.Traveler
Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground
FDR State Park
Nice spot. Trails are nice. If you arrive after hours, look up instructions for check in beforehand. Sites are pretty private. Quiet. Clean bathrooms.
- RRaymondTraveler
Coleman Lake Rec Area
Overflow for tents
First time here. Clean camp, clean restrooms, great scenery. Main two loops are really for campers/RVs and are really close together with little privacy but have water and electricity. We ended up checking out the “overflow” area - didnt know it existed - and those campsites are more primitive, no water or electricity but have fire rings and pea gravel. Overflow is more spacious and private. Our spot was right above the lake. Main two loops are $16 and overflow is $6. The overflow is on the right as you pull in the campground - some people had campers up there but definitely the spot if you are tent camping. Had a great time, will return!
Brittany V.LegendR. Shaefer Heard Campground
Beautiful park
We can’t even get past the fact that this spot is only $30! COE outdid themselves with this park. Site was pretty level and only needed a few adjustments, but it’s so worth it. Private deck overlooking the lake with steps leading down to your private lake front and fire pit. Spacing from neighbors was decent as well. We’ll 100% be back to enjoy this park more.
Guide to Franklin
Horse camping in Georgia offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.
Campers appreciate these amenities for horses
- The R. Shaefer Heard Campground provides spacious sites and allows pets, making it a great choice for those traveling with horses.
- At Little Tallapoosa Park, you'll find well-maintained trails suitable for horseback riding, along with electric hookups for your convenience.
- Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground features reservable sites and ample space for horse camping, ensuring a comfortable stay.
Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails
- The McIntosh Reserve Park offers access to beautiful trails along the Chattahoochee River, perfect for leisurely rides.
- Coleman Lake Rec Area is nestled in a national forest, providing a serene environment with trails that are ideal for horseback riding.
- Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground boasts numerous hiking trails that are also suitable for equestrian use, allowing you to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Tips for equestrian camping near Franklin, Georgia
- When visiting R. Shaefer Heard Campground, arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during peak seasons.
- Be sure to check the amenities at Little Tallapoosa Park, as they offer electric hookups and water access, which can be beneficial for horse care.
- Always bring your own firewood to McIntosh Reserve Park, as it is not provided on-site, ensuring you have everything you need for a cozy evening by the campfire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Franklin, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Franklin, GA is R. Shaefer Heard Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Franklin, GA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Franklin, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.