Stone Mountain Park Campground is located about 50 miles southeast of Gainesville, Georgia, and features lakefront cabin sites with water and electric hookups. Cabins near Gainesville vary from rustic accommodations to fully furnished lodge-style options. During peak summer months, daytime temperatures often reach the upper 80s, making water access a priority for many cabin campers.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Amicalola Falls State Park offers cabin accommodations near Georgia's tallest waterfall, measuring 730 feet. A visitor notes, "This 730ft cascading waterfall is accessible by stairs and bridge from top to bottom. Its proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better."
Lake activities: Margaritaville in Buford provides upscale cabin rentals with lake access. "We stayed here for two nights on our way from Virginia to Florida. It is a very nice family friendly vacation resort rather than overnight stay. But we enjoyed all the amenities. We had a pave site full hookup pull thru with lake view," shares one camper who appreciated the setup.
Mountain biking: Fort Yargo State Park Campground cabins offer access to extensive trail networks. A visitor explains, "Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes. We took a picnic lunch with us and found one of the many picnic areas to have lunch and enjoy the lake views."
What campers like
Private beach access: Don Carter State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations with lake access. "I had a private beach all to myself! I went to Don Carter mid week after a holiday and the place was pretty empty. I took a dip in the cool waters and though they were not a clear blue they were clear and I could see to the bottom all the way out to the edge of the swimming zone."
Family amenities: Stone Mountain Park Campground cabins provide access to numerous activities. "There are all kind of activities for the kids. They have free transportation within the park/campground area. Helpful staff too. The sites are close but they are not difficult to enter."
Peaceful environment: Lake Russell Recreation Area cabins provide a quiet retreat. A camper reports, "I love this campground! It feels pretty secluded from the city because of the long drive in. Beautiful sites and plenty of trails nearby. My friend and I brought our hammocks and enjoyed a very peaceful weekend."
What you should know
Limited supplies: Pack essentials when staying in cabin accommodations near Gainesville. One camper at Don Carter notes, "As in most state parks, clean and friendly, restrooms and showers clean. Only bad thing is no close by stores make sure you have everything or be ready for a little trip to get it!"
Site selection: At Unicoi State Park & Lodge, cabin selection matters. "We stayed in a cabin at Unicoi State Park after our Spring Break camping trip got rained out. The fireplace was nice and we appreciated the covered parking during the downpour when arrived. A few things were broken (bedroom light, coffeemaker)."
Seasonal considerations: Vogel State Park cabins get crowded during peak seasons. "This is one of the most popular parks in GA. It is usually crowded and books quickly. Sites are VERY close together. No privacy at all," reports one visitor who recommends booking well in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Beach options: Lake Russell Recreation Area offers family-friendly cabin options with beach access. "We booked a last minute night here for Easter weekend to get out of the city. It's smaller than Loop B. With plenty of trees for hammocks, we had plenty of room for both of our tents, 2 hammocks, and both cars. Loop A is in walking distance to the beach area/day use area."
Playground access: Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground cabins provide easy access to family-friendly amenities. "Really enjoyed camping here with my family. Took our 19, 11, and 4 year old. Tested the trails and enjoyed plenty of scenic views."
Wildlife viewing: Fort Yargo cabin areas offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "Set back in the woods on a beautiful pond. Deer roaming everywhere. A new check in station with a store that's really really nice. Mountain bike trails and hiking trails inside park."
Tips for RVers
Site leveling: Amicalola Falls State Park cabins require careful navigation. "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite."
Utility access: Margaritaville offers premium cabin options with full hookups. "We had a pave site full hookup pull thru with lake view. Very easy to get in and out, private and quiet, we had a picnic table, fire ring and bbq grill. I was most excited about drink cart every evening!!"
Road considerations: Access to cabin accommodations at Vogel State Park requires navigating mountain roads. "The roads are a little hilly and twisting but if you have a big rig and go slow you will be fine. All the campsite driveways are angled so backing in is pretty easy."
