Best Campgrounds near Oakwood, GA

Campgrounds near Oakwood, Georgia center around Lake Lanier with several established options for both tent and RV campers. Old Federal Campground features waterfront sites with electric hookups and drinking water, while River Forks Park provides similar lake access with additional wildlife viewing opportunities. Don Carter State Park Campground and Shady Grove Campground offer more diverse accommodation options including cabins, yurts, and glamping facilities. Most campgrounds in this region provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, with varying levels of hookup availability.

The camping season for most Lake Lanier campgrounds runs from March through October, with a few locations like Bolding Mill and Don Carter State Park remaining open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for premium waterfront sites which tend to book quickly during summer months. Lake Lanier experiences humid summers and mild winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for RVs, though site sizes and accessibility vary. According to one visitor at Old Federal: "We had a great time at this campground. It's a beautiful campground and has a lot of water access and water views."

Waterfront sites dominate the camping experience in the Oakwood area, with many campgrounds offering direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Several visitors noted the ability to dock boats directly at or near their campsites at Old Federal Campground. Amenities vary between locations, with most offering at least basic facilities like restrooms, while others provide showers, laundry, and sanitary dump stations. Campgrounds like Shady Grove and Don Carter feature more extensive amenities including sewer hookups and showers. Campers report mixed experiences with site privacy, as some locations have sites positioned close together. Wildlife viewing, particularly deer sightings, represents a common highlight mentioned in reviews for River Forks Park, adding to the natural camping experience despite proximity to more developed areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Oakwood, Georgia (315)

    1. Shady Grove Campground

    25 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 205-6850

    $20 - $240 / night

    "This site was a nice distance away from the RV focused campsites at the same location."

    "If you love large wooded spots with great lake views and lots of deer to watch....this is your park. Located in a very nice part of Georgia with so many places to go and see."

    2. Old Federal

    19 Reviews
    Oakwood, GA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 967-6757

    $20 - $36 / night

    "Our site was walking distance to the bathhouse, playground and swimming."

    "Grounds were great with easy access to the lake."

    3. Don Carter State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Lula, GA
    14 miles
    +1 (678) 450-7726

    $25 - $225 / night

    "Situated at the far north end of Lake Lanier, this Georgia state park is awesome! One of the best things about it for RV/trailer camping is the huge distance between camp sites!"

    "This Georgia State Park is in Gainesville on the Chattahoochee where it meets up with Lake Lanier.  It was very easy to get to from the Atlanta area. "

    4. Bolding Mill

    21 Reviews
    Murrayville, GA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 534-6960

    $20 - $36 / night

    "It was a little longer walk to the water and when a camper was next to us we couldn’t see the lake. We already have our reservations for 2025 in the site we wanted."

    "Our site was near access to walk-in camping (which did not turn out to be a problem since we set up facing the water) and a long walk to the bathroom, which was reasonably clean with hot shower but no"

    5. Duckett Mill

    18 Reviews
    Oakwood, GA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 532-9802

    $26 - $36 / night

    "Almost all the sites have view of lake and many have access to the lake for swimming or paddle boarding or boating. Nice breeze off the lake. Will be back many times."

    "Great location on Lake Lanier. The sites are very large and trees between most sites. Lots of water view sites, some have easier lake access from your site than others for our kayaks."

    6. Bald Ridge Creek

    23 Reviews
    Cumming, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 889-1591

    $26 - $36 / night

    "Our sites have all been lake-side and very large with a paved drive. There is hiking around the shore line and lots of ducks in the lake to feed (Shh!)"

    "It was right on the lake with a beautiful view. It has a path that goes down to the lake. A lot of the sites are on the lake and most sites offer ample shade."

    7. Shoal Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Buford, GA
    8 miles
    Website

    "There was a nice flat area to set up food, bonfire, chairs, games and to lounge around with family and the dogs. Bathrooms were nice and close to campground, within walking distance."

    "Communication with the main number for the campground went through the Margaritaville Campground nearby. Separate direct lines to the camp office and security were provided after arrival."

    8. River Forks Park & Campground

    11 Reviews
    Oakwood, GA
    4 miles
    Website

    "The bathrooms were close to the site. We had a great family time here!! Deer were roaming thru the campsite.. so many!! I loved the fresh Georgia air and the atmosphere was just so relaxing!!"

    "Overall a nice and quite campground on Lake Lanier that’s not a COE campground. Easy to navigate and locate the sites. All have water views, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills."

    9. Fort Yargo State Park Campground

    41 Reviews
    Winder, GA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (770) 867-3489

    $27 - $275 / night

    "Fort Yargo is in the Winder Ga area and is close to Helen, Jefferson, Athens and Atlanta. Entering the campground is a nice paved road and leads to tent camping, cabins, yurts and RV sites."

    "This is one of the few state parks in Georgia with yurts and also has a great flat biking trail. The lake allows for kayaking and boating and some yurts are actually right on the lake."

    10. Margaritaville

    6 Reviews
    Lake Sidney Lanier, GA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (470) 323-3486

    $63 - $100 / night

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Oakwood, GA

1509 Reviews of 315 Oakwood Campgrounds


  • Shea D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2025

    COE Lake Sidney Lanier Sawnee Campground

    Beware site 57

    Our site was one of the few tent camping sites where you could pull up however the site itself was sloped and difficult to get the kids up and down. The staff was friendly and helpful.

  • Shea D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2025

    Shady Grove Campground

    Wildlife everywhere

    We tent camped for about a week, wildlife especially deer was abundant. Playground was close to site. Area was huge and well spaced between sites.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2025

    Mckinney Campground

    Nice spot for urban camping

    Nice for the fall as the lake is relatively quiet this time of year. My guess is that this campground is popping in the summer. 2 marinas flanked the campground sites - they are a lot closer than they appear in the map when booking. Summer boat traffic would be intense for the water front sites. You can also hear traffic from the nearby train tracks and roads. That said, it’s a decent campground not too far out of Atlanta. A COE campground but maintained by Bartow County. Those folks are super easy to deal with. We had sites 25, 26, and 27. Site 27 has a short pad and is downhill. Site 26 is a handicap site and 100% level. Site 27 is uphill for parking, with steps leading partially down to the lake.

  • Jennifer M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Dicks Creek Falls Campsites off Main Road

    perfectly scenic

    The winding road to the few campgrounds along the way was beautiful but narrow. We didn't see any potties and it ends with a sandy area at the water where about 6 cars were parked (perhaps they were all kayaking or hiking but we only saw two people. We backtracked a bit to a site along the stream with ample space for at least two or three tents. It was along the road and there were a few cars driving past during the night but not enough to bother us or make us feel unsafe at all. There was a trail at this site as well just on the other side of the water which went a few miles around to the road and looped back but it hadn't been maintained in a bit so there was a decent amount of climbing and exploration on our part to stay on it. Wouldn't advise without good trail maps on your phone.

  • tonya O.
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Lake Russell Recreation Area

    This campground has went down

    Weve always came here but our last experience wasn't great... since Rhonda has been gone this campground has gone down so bad. I was so disappointed in this... the bathrooms was so nasty and the camp host i went to wouldn't come to the door... I had to call police on a unruly camper and still didnt help..... we went to relax and had a weekend from hell.

  • j
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    Great central location.

    I camp at Unicoi State Park several times a year for a number of different reasons. First, it is right in the middle of what I call waterfall country. There are more beautiful waterfalls within an hour than I can count. Second, there are spectacularly beautiful trails everywhere. You’re only about 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail at Hog Pen Gap and 30 minutes from Blood Mountain and the Blood Mountain wilderness. Third, there are numerous picturesque and friendly little towns nearby. The park is about 3 miles from the town of Helen, which is a pseudo Bavarian village. A little touristy but still fun. There are some great German restaurants there. As to the park itself, I tent camp, and the campsites are excellent. Nice bathroom and shower facilities close by and regardless of the time of year it has never been crowded. Definitely worth $25 a night and I get a discount because I’m a senior (Remember you have to ask for the discount. They won’t tell you). If you are camping in the tent area, I can almost guarantee you’ll see a bear because they come out almost every night. Keep all of your food in the bear boxes. Since it is somewhat of a resort park, there are cabins, RV hook ups and even a motel/conference center. There are lots of activities like swimming, boating, archery, zip lining, etc. The Smith Creek pub is a nice little restaurant for a quick meal or a drink.

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Quick fall foliage trip

    The park is absolutely beautiful, great scenery and hiking trails. The visitors center is nice, but the helpfulness of the staff was hit or miss. The campsite is nice, quiet, clean bathrooms and warm showers. We camped in a tent and the ground was hard, almost like cement which made staking the tent down difficult. Other than this, we loved it and would come back again.


Guide to Oakwood

Camping near Oakwood, Georgia, offers a variety of beautiful spots where you can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. From scenic views to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The hike to the base of the Gorge is strenuous with LOTS of stair steps back up but if you can do it certainly worth it."
  • Swimming: Enjoy the lake at Tugaloo State Park Campground. A camper shared, "The lake is right across the way from us for some beautiful views, nice beach swimming and parking the boat."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Fort Yargo State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "I wasn't able to get on a raft this time, yet saw many enjoying the fishing and lake."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Red Top Mountain State Park Campground said, "Everything was clean and well maintained."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground remarked, "Staff are friendly. This is my second time camping here."
  • Activities for Kids: Families enjoy the various activities available. A reviewer at Vogel State Park Campground mentioned, "The kids had loads of fun playing by the little rivers."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Tallulah Gorge State Park Campground noted, "The sites are a little closer to each other than what I'm used to."
  • Parking Fees: Be prepared for additional fees. One camper at Stone Mountain Park Campground mentioned, "On top of the $70 a night you must pay a $20 parking fee."
  • Limited Payment Options: Some campgrounds only accept cash. A visitor at Vogel State Park Campground shared, "You need to do it by cash only."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A camper at Fort Yargo State Park Campground said, "Great playground with a sweet stream and lake access."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check the schedule for family activities. One reviewer at Tugaloo State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground has awesome activities through the summer for the kids and for families."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and activities. A camper at Amicalola Falls State Park Camping noted, "The campground was neat, clean, and quiet."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Oakwood, Georgia, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Oakwood, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Oakwood, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 315 campgrounds and RV parks near Oakwood, GA and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Oakwood, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oakwood, GA is Shady Grove Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Oakwood, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Oakwood, GA.

What parks are near Oakwood, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Oakwood, GA that allow camping, notably Lake Sidney Lanier and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.