Lake Lanier dominates the camping landscape near Oakwood, Georgia with 692 miles of shoreline and a 38,000-acre surface area. Most camping sites near Oakwood sit at elevations between 1,050 and 1,100 feet, with summer water temperatures reaching 80-85°F. The region sees approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually, making spring visits potentially muddy but offering lush vegetation.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: River Forks Park provides excellent deer sighting opportunities throughout the campground. "We saw a lot of animals and the sunrise was amazing," reports one visitor at Old Federal. Another camper at Shady Grove noted, "Wildlife especially deer was abundant. Playground was close to site. Area was huge and well spaced between sites."
Fishing access: Bald Ridge Creek offers multiple fishing spots along its shoreline. "The beach area was lovely though and great fishing spots!" shared a Shoal Creek visitor. Fishing is particularly productive during early mornings and evenings when fish are most active near the shore.
Mountain biking: Fort Yargo State Park Campground features dedicated mountain biking trails that connect with hiking paths. A camper mentioned, "Most of the trails are mixed mountain biking and hiking but when we were there, we only saw two mountain bikes." The park maintains over 20 miles of trails suitable for various skill levels.
What campers like
Lake access variety: Don Carter State Park Campground provides different ways to enjoy Lake Lanier. "We love that it's on the lake because family members have boats and its just easy to jump on at the campsite dock. There is also a beach for the kids to play at as well, very well kept," one visitor shared. Lake depths range from shallow beach areas to depths over 150 feet in the main channels.
Large, level sites: Bolding Mill receives praise for site quality. "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," noted one camper who stayed at Margaritaville. Another visitor at Bolding Mill mentioned, "Long parking pad for RVs, tho' ours is a 17' travel trailer. Our site was near access to walk-in camping."
Privacy between sites: Shady Grove Campground offers good separation between camping spots. "Large clean sites with power and water. No sewer but the park does have a dump station. Many water sites," explains one reviewer. Another camper mentioned the campground is "beautifully maintained" with "large sites and breathtaking views."
What you should know
Alcohol policies vary: Shady Grove strictly enforces no-alcohol rules. A reviewer warned, "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here. Beautiful day, beer in a solo cup playing cards with my wife at a picnic table. Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00."
Limited bathhouse facilities: Some campgrounds have restricted shower access. A Shoal Creek Campground visitor noted, "The community restroom/showers were out of service." At Bolding Mill, "There are only 2 bathroom sites so choose campsite accordingly."
Cell service coverage: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. "We have Verizon and showing 2 bar LTE," reported a Shady Grove visitor. Another camper at Old Federal mentioned, "Cell service is awesome here," while staying at this Corps of Engineers facility.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. A camper at Shady Grove mentioned, "There is a nice playground that is walking distance from our favorite camp sites that the kids really love." Don Carter offers "a playground and a beach area, which was not open when we were there."
Boat-friendly sites: Duckett Mill accommodates boaters with varied site options. "Most sites are up a steep bank from the water, so it's a bit tricky to get a kayak in the water from camp, but it is doable," explained one visitor. Another noted that Bolding Mill has "a boat landing" with "several spots to get down and into the lake for a swim."
Site safety considerations: Watch for uneven terrain with children. A Shoal Creek reviewer cautioned, "I would not recommend a few of these sites if you have trouble walking around without assistance. There are some inclines without adequate steps or hand holds." Fort Yargo offers more level camping options.
Tips from RVers
Turning radius challenges: Old Federal presents maneuvering difficulties for large rigs. "After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight. We practiced and discussed the best way to get out. When the time came we had a heck of a time getting the RV turned," reported one camper.
Sloping site assessment: Bolding Mill requires careful site selection for leveling. A visitor noted that Fort Yargo offers, "sites that are nice and large, flat (we didn't even need to get out our levels). They are arranged in a way that you don't feel close to your neighbor." Another RVer at River Forks mentioned, "Many sites do not have a fire pit and many do not have a grill."
Grey water management: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups with alternatives to sewer. A Fort Yargo camper noted, "No FHU, but they do have grey water dumps in numerous places in campground." This allows for extended stays without needing to move your RV to the dump station.
