Swords Dispersed Campsite
Beautiful
Very clean, right next to the lake, good fishing.couldnt ask for a better place to be.
90 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Oconee serves as the focal point for most camping options near Greensboro, Georgia. Several established campgrounds dot the shoreline, including North Shore Landing, Parks Ferry Campground, and Old Salem Park, offering water-based recreation opportunities alongside camping accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area provide a mix of tent and RV sites with varying hookup levels, while some properties like A.H. Stephens State Park and Hard Labor Creek State Park include cabin and yurt rentals. These state parks, located within 30 miles of Greensboro, provide more developed facilities and trail systems compared to the lakeside campgrounds.
Many campgrounds in the Greensboro area operate seasonally, with some like Old Salem Park by Georgia Power open from February through November. Full hookup sites for RVs are common at lakefront properties, though tent campers will find designated areas at most locations. Visitors should be prepared for ant problems, as multiple reviews across different campgrounds mention significant ant issues. "Be prepared for the ants! Woke up and we had crickets to fish with and worms hung the crickets up and the ants were terrible came in the camper up the lantern poll on the table in the trash can everywhere," noted one camper at Old Salem Park.
The Lake Oconee campgrounds consistently receive high ratings for their water access, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities. Most lakeside campgrounds maintain beaches for swimming, boat ramps, and fishing docks, making them popular with families and water sports enthusiasts. Bathhouse quality varies significantly between campgrounds, with some visitors noting cleanliness issues. Several campers mentioned the spaciousness of sites at Old Salem Park compared to the more crowded conditions at other lakefront campgrounds. A visitor commented, "Georgia Power has some of the nicest campgrounds and this one is a gem. Great place for boating and fishing and kiddos will love the beach." The proximity to Greensboro provides convenient access to supplies, with a Publix supermarket approximately 2 miles from some campgrounds.
"Being next to railroad tracks it has a railroad motif you can actually stay in a renovated caboose."
"Beautiful location with a train themed well organized and super helpful staff. Tiered topography lends to beautiful lake and sunset views Used showers and laundry and both were great"
from $23 - $66 / night
Check Availability"This campground is all about the lake. Not just because its on a lake, but because with no real trails or other sites to see in the near by area its definitely this parks main focus."
"Georgia Power has some of the nicest campgrounds and this one is a gem."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"We hiked from the campground to Lake Buncombe and also hiked from Sunset Drive trail to Lake Liberty and the office. Equestrian trails are closed to hiking during the weekend."
"9 & #12
Site 12 was a very nice straight site with the picnic table and fire ring down a few steps off the back of the main pad."
from $15 - $650 / night
Check Availability"Drive-in is easily done with a 2wd vehicle just take it slow to avoid big holes. Plenty of fallen trees and branches to use for fires with a few spots clearly used by most people."
"The road going in is dirt, but maintained well enough for a 2 wheel drive car to get to."
"Hard Labor Creek State Park is one of the Georgia State Park system's best kept secrets! Located just minutes away from Rutledge, GA, HLC seems like a whole world away!"
"Kids can ride bikes everywhere, play some putt-putt or on the playground, go fishing or take them to the lake beach (just a short drive away-5 minutes)."
from $20 - $650 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $77 / night
"This park operated by Georgia power and light is one of the nicest cleanest and well cared for parks. I’ve been in. Most state parks could take a lesson from the operators of these parks. "
"The Georgia Power park is amazing, the hosts were great and the park was very clean. There is a boat ramp, several docks, pavilions, and a beach (closed due to COVID)."
"Second location in the Swords area for boondocking."












Very clean, right next to the lake, good fishing.couldnt ask for a better place to be.
For me this was a very average campsite. Nothing very notable here or in the area. It felt like it was a predominantly RV catered campground but there were available spots for tents. Not much privacy, you can see down the road and to each site pretty well from wherever you’re at, though some sites on the backside of the campground were seemingly a little more private. The main attraction is a swampy lake, pretty but not spectacular. There is a playground and good visibility so maybe a good campground for families. Bathroom water pressure was not good.
The campsites are spread out. Each features a fire ring, picnic table and power/water hookups. Most sites are on the water. All of them are shaded. Summer months are the busiest. Almost no one comes in the winter. It's very serene.
I went solo camping and it was perfect. Quiet, peaceful, and clean. I drove down to the spot itself and I had misread a comment thinking I could drive my 2wd down to the spot itself. You can not without having trouble getting out. I almost had to call a tow truck for my Tahoe to get out. However, I was able to drive out eventually. Great spot for some peace while still having cell signal if you need. Would visit in the cool months though as August was far too hot.
Getting to the gravel site bent my trailer license and hitch.
We stayed at Site #45, and it quickly became one of our favorite campsites because it felt more like a wooded overlook, perched above the lake. The breeze coming off the water kept us comfortable enough to enjoy a campfire even on a hot August evening.
The site fit our 14x10 tent comfortably, but I wouldn’t recommend anything larger. There isn’t a true tent pad, and you’ll notice the slope while sleeping—but the view from inside the tent was priceless. We experienced a four-hour thunderstorm and didn’t have any standing water at our site afterward.
⚠️ The slope becomes much steeper near the shoreline, so I wouldn’t recommend this site for toddlers or anyone with mobility concerns.
🛝 Our 7-year-old loved fishing from the shoreline and thought the steep slope made the perfect slide to get back down to the water. Built-in slide + dirty shorts = happy camper. 😂
🔥 The site includes a clean fire ring with an adjustable cooking grate and a separate standing charcoal grill.
🦟 We didn’t have any issues with mosquitoes during our stay.
🚰 The shared water pump wasn’t working during our visit.
🚽 The bathhouse was spacious, clean, and only a short walk away.
🚗 A community wagon is parked near the bathhouse for campers to use when hauling gear between their vehicle and campsite. Loved that!
A few tips:
🪵 The Visitor Center sells $6 bundles of firewood and has a nice selection of souvenirs.
🐜 Plenty of flies and large ants, so keep your food put away and your tent zipped.
🪲 Cicadas were loud at night. I loved it, but our 7-year-old slept with his wireless headphones on. If you’re a light sleeper, you may want to pack earplugs if you’re camping here June-August.
🎣 We caught more bluegill fishing from our campsite than we did from the fishing dock.
🌅 If you’re looking for one of the best views in the campground and don’t mind sleeping on a slight incline, Site #45 is well worth considering.
This is my favorite South Carolina Park. Most sites are waterfront. It's peaceful in the spring and beautiful in the fall. The pull-through sites are great for waking up to lake views and a sunrise or sunset over the lake
I had a nice site overlooking the lake. Wonderful views, even if the lake levels were low. It was a little narrow to back into, but worth it. Facilities were nice and clean. Staff friendly and helpful. There was a burn ban in effect, so we used Solo stoves.
The road going in is dirt, but maintained well enough for a 2 wheel drive car to get to. If you have a 4 wheel drive that’s a little capable, you can drive down to the spot itself and park in your camp. If you park a car before the camp spot, it’s only like a 100 foot walk or something. The lake is pretty active, so you will have boats going back and forth out there. I think I only had 2 negative instances. The trash that was left behind was a little ridiculous, but I did clean it up and take it with me. There was also a bow fisherman patrolling the coast with all his lights on till like 2 am, which was a little annoying at first, but it’s all good.
The Greensboro area camping experience centers around Lake Oconee, with elevations ranging from 400-450 feet above sea level throughout the region. Summer temperatures regularly reach the high 80s to low 90s with high humidity, making water access particularly valuable for campers seeking relief from Georgia heat.
Fishing opportunities: Lawrence Shoals Campground offers excellent access for anglers, with multiple docks and boat ramps. "There is a boat ramp, several docks, pavilions, and a beach," notes one visitor, adding that the "Georgia Power park is amazing, the hosts were great and the park was very clean."
Mountain biking trails: Hard Labor Creek State Park Campground features dedicated mountain biking trails separate from hiking paths. A reviewer mentioned, "We made use of the hiking trails and mountain bike trails this weekend! The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked!" The park offers both beginner and more challenging black diamond trails.
Historical exploration: A. H. Stephens State Park Campground provides a unique outdoor museum experience with historical exhibits. "The park is the home of the VP of the Confederacy and features his home and Civil War artifacts. Ask camp host for tour of CCC built fire tower," suggests one camper who appreciated the historical aspects.
Large, well-spaced sites: Many campers praise the generous spacing at campgrounds near Greensboro. At A. H. Stephens State Park, one visitor noted, "We really like campgrounds that have a lot of room, space between each site and easy sites to get in to. AH Stephen's fits that bill!"
Private beach access: North Shore Landing offers private lake access with its own beach area. According to a reviewer, "The campground is clean, quiet and right on beautiful Lake Oconee. It has it's own private little beach, boat slips which you can rent for your boat, a lots of fun for the kids."
Train-themed accommodations: North Shore Landing features unique railroad-inspired lodging options. "Being next to railroad tracks it has a railroad motif you can actually stay in a renovated caboose. If that's not your thing there's plenty of tent sites, cabins, RVs, and RV sites," explains one camper who enjoyed the distinctive theme.
Ant prevention crucial: Multiple campgrounds in the area report ant issues, requiring preparation. At Old Salem Park by Georgia Power, recent visitors mention improvements: "Georgia Power has gone to great lengths to get rid of the ants. We went prepared for a problem and there was no problem at our site."
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds in the area. One camper at North Shore Landing reported, "Not great cell reception, and wifi seems to only work in the front portion of the park, but the back is where the great views are."
Water level fluctuations: Water levels at Mistletoe State Park can vary dramatically by season, affecting water access. A hiker observed, "If the water is low like it was when I was here, the lake water was not accessible -- you'd have to trudge through 50 fifty feet of mud to get to it."
Playground facilities: Old Salem Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities including playgrounds and a beach area. A repeat visitor shared, "We have been going here since I was a kid. Now I take my kids to old salem. Its great. They have playgrounds and a beach. A Pavillion area for party's and lots of lake to fish on."
Laundry access: Several campgrounds provide on-site laundry facilities, helpful for longer family stays. At Old Salem Park, one camper noted, "Laundry on site (not free- so bring quarters) beach area at end of camp ground."
Seasonal recreation programs: Many parks offer family activities during peak seasons. Hard Labor Creek features "kayak by moonlight group tour that was fun" according to one camper, who also mentioned the park's mini-golf course as a family-friendly amenity.
Hookup variations: Mistletoe State Park Campground offers different utility setups depending on the site. One RVer advised, "Sites had water, electric, concrete table, fire ring, and lantern hook." The camper also recommended sites "in the 60-90 loop" as they "looked the best with water views and shade and most were pull through."
Low clearance warnings: Some routes to campgrounds have height restrictions. When heading to Hard Labor Creek, one reviewer cautioned, "Be careful and follow the Campground signs and not your GPS because you might come in a different way and have to navigate an overpass that, for some rigs, is too short!"
Site leveling needs: Terrain varies significantly even within individual campgrounds. At Parks Ferry Campground, a visitor warned, "The sites are on top of each other in the inner loop and very much out of level." However, at Old Salem, another camper had a different experience: "My site was so level I didn't need leveling blocks."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Greensboro, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Greensboro, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 90 campgrounds and RV parks near Greensboro, GA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Greensboro, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Greensboro, GA is North Shore Landing with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Greensboro, GA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Greensboro, GA.
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