Franklin, Georgia offers several riverside camping options along the Chattahoochee River at elevations around 750 feet. The area experiences moderate rainfall throughout the year, with summer temperatures averaging in the upper 80s. Many campsites feature fine gravel plots that provide stable footing for both tents and pets during Georgia's frequent afternoon showers.
What to do
Hiking riverside trails: The 5.7-mile trail system at Chattahoochee Bend State Park Campground offers terrain suitable for moderate hiking. "Lots of great hiking. 2 playgrounds were open. Playgrounds are brand new or at least they look brand new. I am 225 lbs and I played on all the equipment with my daughter," reports Joey P.
Paddling opportunities: Launch kayaks directly from shoreline campsites at Holiday Campground on West Point Lake. "We had one of the group sites that had 10 spots total. All of the kids really liked being able to kayak and fish from the campsites pretty much," notes Jeremy N.
Bird watching: Eagle sightings are common along the Chattahoochee River corridor. "Almost every time I camp here i see a bald eagle flying over the river," reports Justin K. from Bush Head Shoals Park, where the riverside location provides excellent viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Bush Head Shoals Park offers roomy tent camping areas on level ground. "They have 6 camp sites that all have a picnic table, fire pit and a large fine gravel plot for a tent. All the components are extremely well kept," writes Julia M. The sites can "easily fit two 6-person tents," according to Michael P.
Waterfront camping: R. Shaefer Heard Campground provides direct lake access at many sites. "We had an amazing site with a great waterfront view perfect for sunsets. Kids thoroughly enjoyed playing at the edge of the water," notes Dianna B. The campground offers "big campsites on beautiful lake," according to Michael C.
Privacy between sites: Multiple campgrounds offer good separation between camping areas. At Whitetail Ridge Campground, "sites were spread out nicely and taken care of," according to Des L. This arrangement works well for campers with pets who need their own space.
What you should know
Gate closure hours: Several campgrounds lock entrance gates overnight. At R. Shaefer Heard Campground, "they lock the gate at 10, sharp," notes Jan P. This can affect late arrivals and early departures, so plan accordingly.
Cell coverage varies: For those needing connectivity, signal strength differs by location. At Whitetail Ridge, Richard U. reports "beautiful and great cell phone coverage. We have been looking for a water view, with cell phone signal, in order to be able to work from the camper."
Limited facilities at some locations: Bush Head Shoals Park offers basic amenities. "They currently do not have running water or a shower house but they indicated they are trying to construct one soon," notes Julia M. Prepare accordingly by bringing adequate water supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly facilities: Franklin D Roosevelt State Park Campground offers multiple 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," reports Joshua H. The park is "great for hikers -- lots of great trails," adds Dana P.
Waterfront activities: Holiday Campground has shoreline access for water play. "We were on the water with easy access. Our site had a picnic table, grill and fire ring," reports Bryan D. from a nearby campground with similar amenities.
Pet management: Many campgrounds welcome pets but require leashes. At Three Creeks Campground, Christopher H. notes it's "pet friendly, though most people do not clean up after their fur children." Pack waste bags and be considerate of other campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: At R. Shaefer Heard Campground, experienced RVers advise caution with site selection. "Reserved our spot long in advance to get a spot on the lake, please do like all campgrounds all sites are not created equal. Most all are concrete pads and level but if your camper is over 25' or so length may cause a problem," advises Ward.
Electric hookup options: Multiple campgrounds offer 50-amp service for larger RVs. "Drive through spot for our RV with 50AMP, 30AMP, water and dump service," notes James E. about Chattahoochee Bend, adding that the "place is clean, quiet and in great shape!"
Leveling considerations: Some sites may require additional work to level your RV. "We loved our spot especially #103 in Campground 1, lots of privacy for our 21ft Lance TT. Backing in was not difficult even though we had to raise the right tire 3" to be level," reports Erin C.
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